HomeMy WebLinkAboutCOM 0314.020 1996-1998 POT IS SAFER THAN YOUR GOVERNMENT 1~Ik~l.R--
Press release for July 2
Adhemp Committee
Contact: Rev. Dennis Shields, 328-9794 or Roger Christie, 961-0488
The Hawaii County Council's failure today to "terminate" the marijuana eradication
program in the absence of the Four year mandatory, critical program review as directed by the
Charter, is part of the government's effort to cover up the failures and vices of this very invasive
and dangerous activity.
The Council's lawlessness today, is the living proof that cannabis suppression can only
take place when other basic rights and laws are suspended. Cannabis eradication and suppression
in Hawaii has only led to more lawlessness.
The Council's acceptance of the DEA contract for another season of cannabis eradication
marks 21 years of uncontrolled and unregulated intrusions into our communities. Hawaii County's
failure to properly regulate and review the eradication program for over 16 years has put too much
unchecked power into the hands of drug enforcement, leading to widespread protests for violations
of civil, religious, property and due process rights. Furthermore, the abuses of the unchecked
eradication program, permeates the community with the rumors and allegations of police wrong
doings and corruption related to the suppression of this herb.
Meanwhile, Hawaii County's Police Department has amassed $3 million in 'slush funds'
directly seized from the people via forfeitures and has become a self financing, nearly independent,
and unaccountable armed military force in Hawaii. Strict adherence to any existing constitution
would have never allowed this to happen. Exercising the flawed logic of the cannabis prohibition,
the government and its agencies have accumulated dangerous levels of authority.
The impact of the marijuana eradication and suppression program on the people of Hawaii
has for too long been a neglected area of documentation. Government agencies anxious to execute
this war, have avoided collecting or disseminating objective information to the public. The outcome
is this state of unaccountability, the absence of independent reviews and non-compliance with
existing laws. This is our situation and it will only worsen as Hawaii County Police fulfill the
terms of this new DEA contract on Hawaii and increase the arrests, increase the plants eradicated
and increase the amount of property seized through forfeiture.
The press in Hawaii must play their part as the 'fourth estate' and bring this serious
situation to full public view and help secure the peace. end.
F11e t(o. G ~
lief. To:Presented
ltaf. ih,te JUL 0 '2 1997