HomeMy WebLinkAboutCOM 0178.005 2012-2014 PIGoUNaL
Murashige, Laura
From: Shay Yats [chewytea @gmail.com]
Sent: Wednesday, March 27, 2013 9:09 AM
To: counciltestimony @co.hawaii.hi.us
Subject: Testimony on Resolution 81-13
Attachments: COUNTY OF HAWAII TESTIMONY RES 81 13.docx
COUNTY OF
VAII TESTIMONY RE
Good morning,
Please find attached UPW' s testimony on Res 81-13.
Thank you
Shayna Yatsushiro
Comm. N 7$•S
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COUNTY OF HAWAII CITY COUNCIL
HEARING DATE: March 28, 2013
TESTIMONY BY UNITED PUBLIC WORKERS
Re: RESOLUTION 81-13; A RESOLUTION URGING THE 2013 HAWAII STATE
LEGISLATURE TO PASS LEGISLATION TO DECRIMINALIZE MARIJUANA, SUCH AS
SENATE BILL NO. 472, SD1
My name is Dayton M. Nakanelua and I am the State Director of the United Public Workers,
AFSCME, Local 646, AFL-CIO (UPW). The UPW is the exclusive representative for
approximately 11,000 public employees, which include blue collar, non-supervisory employees in
Bargaining Unit 01 and institutional, health and correctional employees in Bargaining Unit 10, in the
State of Hawaii and various counties. The UPW also represents about 1,500 members of the private
sector.
The UPW opposes Resolution 81-13 urging the 2013 Hawaii State Legislature to pass
legislation to decriminalize marijuana, such as Senate Bill No. 472 SD1.
Marijuana has a long track record of being a gateway drug as well as a health risk in the
communities in which we work, play, go to school, and live. Marijuana use is associated with
addiction, respiratory illness, and cognitive impairment*. Decriminalizing marijuana would send the
wrong message to our keiki about the dangers of drugs.
The possible consequences of marijuana use by adolescents is also a concern, with long-term
use possibly linked to a lower IQ later in life. The social and public health costs are also worrisome,
as "marijuana is also the second leading substance for which people receive drug treatment and a
major cause for visits to emergency rooms*. The UPW is also concerned about the possible increase
in crime rates, which would put the men and women of EMS, Police, and Fire departments at risk.
Consequently, this is not the solution for working families and our communities.
Thank you for the opportunity to testify on this measure.
i
1
*Information per
http://www.whitehouse.gov/sites/default/files/ondcp/issues-content/marijuana and public health one_pager - final.pdf