You Can Fool All The People Some of the Time

You can fool all the people some of the time, and some of the people all the time, but you cannot fool all the people all the time.
Abraham Lincoln

This week, Hawai’i and New Mexico announced they will decriminalize small amounts of cannabis, more commonly called pakalolo in the islands. Both states are dominated on this issue by weak Democrats, primarily female leaders, who claim pakalolo is dangerous; and greedy male conservatives who oppose legalization, as they are dedicated to protecting the profits of BigPharma.

#1: Cannabis is more safe than alcohol. Alcohol is linked to the death of over 80,000+ Americans each year.

#2: Cannabis is more safe than tobacco. Smoking tobacco leads to the death of over 400,000 Americans each year.

#3: Cannabis is more safe than opioid prescription medications. This use is linked to the deaths of over 70,000+ Americans just last year.

#4: Nobody has died from cannabis overdose. Almost all substances and pleasure-driving activities are addictive. Sugar is addictive. Sex is addictive. Cannabis is the least addictive of alcohol, tobacco and opioid medications.

Are you a dinosaur? How is it possible you cannot evolve on this issue? How is it possible you cannot unlearn and learn a new trick? Yes, old dogs have trouble with this. Do you have only the intelligence of a canine? Are you truly a dinosaur or a dog?

StarAdvertiser Public Opinion Survey

This is a convenient sample, not scientific, as only readers who pay a monthly subscription can vote. These readers are more likely to have higher incomes and completed more formal education. They are also highly likely to vote. Overall, 62 percent support the legislation. Some 38 percent oppose.

Only a plurality support option (B) legalization (42%). If respondents who chose (A): OK; fine of up to $130 reasonable, split 50/50, support for legalization would be around 52 percent. I assume legalization is more popular than this, but there remains significant opposition. Smart people legalize. Why are these people still fooled?

What is Criminal Behavior?

StarAdvertiser asked readers what they thought of the new “decriminalization” legislation. First, this is a deception. Look up the word: cease to treat (something) as illegal or as a criminal offense.

Here’s how Hawai’i Public Radio summarized the new policy:

Democratic Gov. David Ige will sign the measure to eliminate criminal penalties for possession of 3 grams (0.11 ounces) or less of marijuana. Scheduled to take effect Jan. 11, 2020, the bill will make possession of those small amounts punishable only by fines of no more than $130.

Excuse me, eliminate criminal penalties, but punishable only by fines. Isn’t this criminal behavior?

What is the message to keiki (kids)? You can be pregnant, but just a little?

Here’s the most ironic part: Law enforcement officials told Ige 3 grams is a small enough amount that “essentially they will proceed the way they always have.” Police weren’t enforcing the “illegal” possession rule anyway. [source]

How strange? I called for the resignation of Honolulu Police Chief Susan Ballard for her “insidious deception” of the public regarding cannabis. She claims pakalolo a terrible danger to the public.

At the same time, her own officers advised Hawai’i Governor David Y. Ige they weren’t enforcing the law. Apparently they aren’t fooled while working the streets.

Illinois 11th State in Nation to Legalize Cannabis

This week, as Hawai’i and New Mexico demonstrated a lack of intelligence and courage to evolve and move forward, the State of Illinois legalized. They’re the 11th state in the nation. Canada has legalized. Mexico will legalize October 2019.

Law enforcement has better things to do than chase pot smokers

Governor Pritzker’s successful campaign capitalized on growing public sentiment that law enforcement has better things to do than chase pot smokers and state government could benefit by regulating and taxing the product as it does alcohol and tobacco.

Hawai’i law enforcement has had better things to do for a long time. They were ignoring the law. What message were they sending to keiki? If we like you, or how you look, or your race, or your color of skin, or your family, or your gender, or your sexual orientation, we won’t bust you!

Governor Pritzker claims, once established, taxation of marijuana could generate $800 million to $1 billion a year. I pointed out Hawai’i could build a new Aloha Sports Stadium by taxing cannabis.

Why Did Employee Lose His Job?

Hawaiian Electric Industries (HEI) CEO and President Constance Hee Lau fired me February 25, 2019 because I am a medical cannabis patient. I hold seven (7) certifications from the University of New Mexico School of Medicine training and warning me of opioid pain medications and their dangerous addictive properties.

As an expert, in discussions with my medical teams in both Hawai’i and New Mexico, we decided cannabis would be the most safe and effective alternative pain mediation for me. Medical cannabis has been legal in Hawai’i since 2000.

I never use before or during work. I’ve never been intoxicated at work. Hawaiian Electric initially hired me as a contract employee on August 13, 2018. They liked my work. They extended my contract through July 2019 in December 2018.

As an internal position opened, my manager and team encouraged me to apply. I did. On February 11, 2019, HR director Shana Buco offered me a position. I had to complete their background check: passed. I needed to submit to drug screen.

I spoke with HR rep Liz Deer on February 14, 2019 about the drug screen process. I informed her that I was a legal and active medical cannabis patient. She said that would be fine. I am a non-safety sensitive employee: IT professional who sits in a back room writing code.

HEI CEO Constance Hee Lau fired me and refuses to test me for intoxication

On February 25, 2019, due to policy of HEI CEO Constance Hee Lau, the company fired me. They did not test for intoxication, but HR director Buco claimed I was intoxicated; a danger to coworkers, the company and general public; and that I was engaged in illegal activity. I have begged to be tested for intoxication. Banker HEI CEO refuses to test me.

HEI CEO Constance Hee Lau was the 2011 Women’s Council on Energy and the Environment’s Woman of the Year. This Woman of the Year fired me, and destroyed our family economic future, because I use a small amount of medical cannabis to reduce my pain before bed each night? Hawai’i decriminalized three grams. It takes me two weeks to use this amount — legally — per my doctor’s prescription.

What is wrong with her?

Also in 2011, President Barack Obama appointed HEI CEO Constance Hee Lau to serve as a member of the National Infrastructure Advisory Council (NIAC). She refuses to test me for intoxication — simply discriminates because I use a safer pain medication than dangerous opioid drugs.

Seriously, what is wrong with her? I admit to using pakalo. Is she smoking ice? 

HEI CEO Constance Hee Lau is the chair of the compassionate Consuelo Foundation. Is this an example of compassion? Who is she trying to fool?

Governor David Yutaka Ige, you signed legislation to decriminalize cannabis in this state, why am I treated as a criminal? Who are you and HEI CEO Constance Hee Lau trying to fool?

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Ko’olau of Kaua’i. I am the Defiant One
“I Believe We Can”