A group of community leaders and law enforcement officials have come together to express their opposition to the legalization of recreational marijuana in Hawaii. Their concerns? The illicit market and the increase in crime.
Honolulu Attorney Steve Alm said two recent bills intended to legalize recreational marijuana would not eliminate the illicit market.
“We’re looking at what marijuana is today, and it’s nothing like it is today,” Alm said. “And in fact, states that have legalized have a bigger black market because you’ll get more users.”
Governor Josh Greenone doctor gave his support to the law, calling cannabis a “lesser evil” than harder drugs.
“Marijuana could dull people’s effects on these hard drugs, horrible drugs. It’s a relative sedative,” he said. “People are a lot less violent. They’re hungrier. Aside from snacking and stealing Cheetos, it would probably do a lot less harm.
The police chiefs of Maui and Kauai, both of whom worked in Nevada when cannabis became legal seven years ago, disagreed with the governor.
“During our law enforcement careers in Las Vegas, Chief Pelletier and I witnessed firsthand how criminals exploited the legalization of marijuana to expand their criminal enterprises,” the Kauai Police Chief said. Todd Raybuck.
Maui Police Chief Giovanni Pelletier he was even more pessimistic. “There will be more violent crime than you have now, there will be more homelessness than you have now. You are not prepared to do this.”
Honolulu Police Chief Joe Logan speaks out against a bill that would legalize recreational marijuana. (David Croxford/Civil Beat/2024)
The former governor of Hawaii speaks
Even the former governor Linda Lingle he broke his 14-year silence to oppose the bills. “The bottom line is, it’s a risk we can’t take. We have big problems to solve here. That would make these big problems almost impossible to solve.”
However, those in the cannabis industry say the problems are solvable and that legalization is not as scary as it might seem.
Nikos Leverenz of the Drug Policy Forum of Hawaii sees an opportunity, highlighting the potential to boost the state’s economy.
Ty ChengThe president of Aloha Green Apothecary added that the issue includes how to reduce harm and improve problems affecting children.
“By legalizing and putting in place strong rules and good regulation, we have a much better chance of protecting public safety,” Cheng said.
A joint legislative hearing for the bill is set for next week.
Photo: Oahu’s Halona Beach Cove, courtesy of Maureen Meehan