HomeMy WebLinkAboutCOM 0639.017 2008-2010
William P. Kenoi
Alayor
January 21, 2010
County of Hawai' i
POLICE DEPARTMENT
349 Kapi'olani Street . Hila, Hawaii 96720-3998
(808) 935-3311 . Fox (808) 961-2389
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The Honorable J Yoshimoto, Chair
And Members
Hawai'i County Council
25 Aupuni Street
Hilo, Hawai'i 96720
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Harry S. Kubojiri
Police Chief
Paul K. Ferreira
Deputy Police Chief
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Re: Res. 281-09: A RESOLUTION TO ENCOURAGE THE DECRIMINALIZATION
OF THE USE OF MARIJUANA
Dear Council Chair Yoshimoto and Members:
The Hawai'i Police Department opposes the passage of Resolution 281-09, A Resolution to
Encourage the Decriminalization of the Use of Marijuana, urging the State Legislature to initiate
legislation that will decriminalize the cultivation, possession, and use of marijuana.
If this legislation is adopted, the Hawai'i County Council: 1) will be sending the message that
the citizens of this community are inviting the cultivation and subsequent exportation of
marij uana for profit; 2) will be sending the message that the use and abuse of marij uana among
children is accepted; 3) takes a position contrary to federal and State law which classifies
marijuana as a controlled substance; 4) will undermine all previous programs and efforts to
instruct our children and citizens that drug free living (whether the form of the drug is legal or
illegal) is the most healthy form of living.
According to the Hawai'i High Intensity Drug Trafficking Area (HlDTA), marijuana is one of
the most significant drug threats to the State of Hawai'i, second only to crystal
methamphetamine. Hawai'i County remains the primary location in the state for the illegal
cultivation, distribution and exportation of marij uana, consistently having some of the highest
seizure counts amongst Domestic Cannabis Eradication Suppression Program (DCE/SP)
agencies in the state.
In past years, marijuana cultivators have been confrontational to anyone who may inadvertently
encroach upon their grow sites. The Hawai'i Police Department has received a number of
reports ~rom the public, including hunters, farmers, hikers, surveyors, and even property owners
visiting their own lands in remote areas, of being confronted and threatened by persons with
weapons to intimidate and warn them to stay away from the area. On other occasions, citizens
have reported coming across marijuana grows with signs posted along trails containing threats of
injury or death to anyone that approaches the area.
emm". No. lo Q~ .11-
Ref. To: -Pr~l-
Ref. Date JIIN 22 2010
"Hawai'i County is an Equal Opportunity Provider and Employer"
The Honorable J Yoshimoto, Chair
And Members
Hawai'i County Council
Page 2
Re: Res. 281-09: A RESOLUTION TO ENCOURAGE THE DECRIMINALIZATION
OF THE USE OF MARIJUANA
Thcsc types of incidents are infrequent, but do occur, and are indicative of the methods and
means that marijuana cultivators resort to and the value they place on their "crop." There are
other documented accounts of incidents whereby crimes of violence, threats, harassment, and
property damage have occurred due to conflicts between competing growers or between growers
and citizens who live in or frequent the area.
By the passage of this resolution, the Hawai'i County Council would be sending the message that
the citizens of this community would be inviting the cultivation and subsequent exportation of
marijuana for profit. This would in turn increase the incidents of violence and crimes described
above, thus having the opposite effect of what is being sought by the author of this proposed
legislation.
Another concern to law enforcement is the widespread use and abuse of marij uana among high
school students. According to the Office of National Drug Control Policy's August 2008 Profile
of Drug Indicators report for the State of Hawai'i, nearly 30% of Hawai'i high school students
had tried marijuana at least once in their lifetime and approximately 15% of high school students
reported current use of marijuana. Marijuana had the highest percentage of lifetime and current
use among this age group, greater than cocaine, inhalants, methamphetamine, ecstasy and
steroids. Numerous studies suggest that marijuana use can have long-term effects and health
risks on the body, not to mention that marijuana can also be considered a gateway drug that can
lead to more harmful and addictive drugs.
Additionally, this Resolution could be interpreted as the Hawai'i County Council supporting the
legalization of drug trafficking within the state, since marijuana is still a controlled substance
under both Federal and Hawai'i state law. Therefore, law enforcement is unable to support a
resolution that has the effect of circumventing applicable federal and state laws, since to do so
would be hypocritical.
By passage of this resolution, the Hawai'i County Council will be sending the wrong message to
our youth. The passage of this resolution will undermine all previous efforts and programs to
protect our communities by teaching our children to embrace a DRUG FREE lifestyle and that
the use of dmgs, alcohol, or tobacco is not necessary for a full and healthy life. By supporting
this resolution, the message being sent to our society is that rather than dealing with life's issues,
it is acceptable to cope with life's issues by using dmgs.
Living in a dcmocracy does not mean people may do whatever they want. Living in a
democracy means that people may do what they want so long as it is reasonable (i.e. does not
infringe upon the rights of other people, i.e. does not violate the laws established to protect the
people). Decriminalizing marijuana is not reasonable. Thus, the Hawai'i Police Department
urges you to oppose the passage of Resolution 281-09.
The Honorable J Yoshimoto, Chair
And Members
Hawai'i County Council
Page 3
Re: Res. 281-09: A RESOLUTION TO ENCOURAGE THE DECRIMINALIZATION
OF THE USE OF MARIJUANA
Sincerely,
~S,
~~~ CHIEF