Politicians shouldn’t decide on medical marijuana
I am writing in response to the Our View piece in your June 29 issue. You write that Gov. David Ige will veto a measure which proposes to extend the criteria for medical marijuana eligibility.
This veto would be absurd. Marijuana helps so many with various health conditions, including those with addiction issues. The absurdity of the list of those eligible for medical marijuana is the main problem.
I have been considered completely disabled by Medicare for 18 years with Myalgic Encephalomyelitis (ME). Is ME on the list of covered illnesses? Of course not! Most people have never heard of it. I am largely limited to a homebound life and can have limited interactions with others. I also suffer from severe fibromyalgia. Luckily my myriad of conditions, including severe post-surgical back pain, allows me to receive medical marijuana.
How many other health conditions are not on this list of eligible illnesses? Arbitrary and capricious, to say the least. How do politicians have the medical knowledge to decide this issue? I urge the state to allow health professionals, not politicians, to decide whether or not its citizens should be allowed to relieve their pain.
Jane Kinzer, Waimea
Too many candidates, not enough canvassing
Here we go, it’s almost July, primary voting is right around the corner. What do we have now, I believe 25 people running for County Council. I know a total of three personally. The rest, I don’t know them from Adam.
I’d like to know what and/or who convinces these people to run for political office when they have absolutely no chance in hell of winning. We all know signs and stickers don’t win elections. Because if that were the case, Mr. Barca would be the current mayor. I haven’t seen one of these candidates in my neighborhood canvassing as of yet. So I don’t know, maybe they’re banking on friends and family for votes.
However, I did see Mr. Spindt in the state building parking lot as he walked right past me. So there went his vote, I guess he was too busy to introduce himself to me.
Oh and for those of you who aren’t familiar with Roy Saito, he’s the gentleman who owns Gold Express on Hardy Street. Yes, the establishment with the Trump-Pence signs in the window. So needless to say I will not be voting for Mr. Saito as well.
Good luck, candidates.
Ka‘aona Kipuka, Lawai
Ka’aona, you say that you have little knowledge of the candidates, and yet you dismiss some because of frivolous reasons, like a sign in a window or because one council candidate (Milo Spindt) walks by you without acknowledging your presence. Maybe he was lost in thought and simply didn’t notice you. Were you aware that Milo does work with Habitat for Humanity?
It’s not that I disagree with your choices but I do disagree with your methodology. Maybe you should take some time and find out for yourself what these candidates represent and what their views are on important island issues.
Wow – Ka’aona, I agree with everything you said, but you just gave a lot of people a great reason to vote for Mr. Saito!
Mr. Saito has indicated his support of the man-child clown who is running our country into the ground, angering our democracy loving allies and leaving ruthless dictators, who Trump obviously envies, smiling. Do not kid yourself to think that smart, caring people support this man and his agendas.