HomeMy WebLinkAboutCOM 1088.010 2006-2008
Rev Steve Bohlert
P.O. Box 1360
Pahoa, HI 96778
(808) 965-7028
stew@ameboMert.wm
www.stewboblert.com
April 10. 2008
To: Hawai'i County Finance Committee
Re: Stop Terrorizing the Community
As a retired United Church of Christ pastor, I belong to a tradition that has long stood for persons'
religious and civil liberties, and so I stand before you today. This community has been terrorized and
oppressed by its own government for far too long. For what? For using and growing an herb that has
been used for millennia for religious sacrament and consciousness raising. It helps generate an
awareness of the divine. Therefore, in the Bible, it is part of the holy anointing oil. In India, it is
smoked and drank religiously by millions. Persons should be free to adjust their consciousness as they
choose, especially when it entails the use of such a harmless substance as cannabis.
Even if persons just want to use it for personal or social enjoyment, what is the harm? It is better than
legal alcohol and tobacco, and certainly better than ice and other more dangerous drugs. It does not
impair one's driving or make one an abuser, or a criminal of any sort, except for the crime of using it.
All kinds of persons use it, lead productive lives, are good family members and citizens. I am sure the
police could be engaged in much better work to make the community a safer place than looking for
cannabis.
We appreciate it when the police respect our religious and personal rights to pursue happiness as we see
it. There is no need for them to fly around and see what's growing in our backyards. We appreciate
those of you who voted not to accept funding to eradicate cannabis the last time this came around, and
hope you will do so again. I ask all of you to stop funding cannabis eradication in any way, and to
request other government agencies to respect our local rule and leave us alone to live our lives in peace
and happiness. This is supposed to be paradise. Why ruin it by a paramilitary style campaign of terror
on our own citizens. End it now. Thank you.
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