As we honor one of the greatest Americans of all time, Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr, we are reminded of the values that make American citizens and our nation great. Everybody can be great … one only needs a heart full of grace and soul generated by love.
Unfortunately, finding great officials and political candidates is difficult today. Voters aren’t too excited about another ugly matchup between Joe Biden and Don Trump. Both are over 70 years of age — far removed in age from the majority of citizens. Both appeal more to extreme groups in society, rather than reasoned voters. Neither demonstrates much grace.
In Hawai’i, the 2022 election vaulted Lt. Governor Josh Green to governor. Most people consider Josh to have a “heart full of grace.” He appointed Anne Lopez to serve as the state’s attorney general. She was working as chief operating officer and general counsel for the Hawai’i Health Systems Corp. Anne is a local girl and 2001 graduate of the William S. Richardson School of Law.
UPDATE 2.8.24: WARNED that Hawai’i Elected Officials Would Betray the People
Same old tired arguments. All false propaganda. Legal cannabis protects children and teens from gaining access. Drivers are not found DUI on cannabis. Hawai’i has huge problem with alcohol DUI — former UH Coach June Jones recently arrested for speeding / drunk on alcohol. Favorable judge let him go! Check it their latest fear-mongering: “Japan and other Asian countries would no longer choose to visit Hawai’i.”
UPDATE 1.17.24: Lopez and Japanese-American officials in Hawai’i tolerate and promote alcohol consumption, yet a US-bound ANA plane had to return to Tokyo after an intoxicated passenger bit a cabin attendant mid-flight, the Japanese carrier said Wednesday. The passenger, reportedly a 55-year-old man believed to be American, sunk his teeth into a crew member’s arm while “heavily drunk,” leaving her mildly injured, an All Nippon Airways spokesman told AFP.
“I consider her an effective manager who is well prepared to take on the legal challenges facing the state. Anne is compassionate and kind, and has the right values and experience for the job.”
Hawai’i Governor Josh Green
During Anne’s confirmation hearing before the Hawai’i legislature, State Senator Joy San Buenaventura expressed frustration about the history of the attorney general’s office opposing legalization of recreational cannabis (marihuana). The senator asked the nominee, “Is it going to be the Attorney General’s position to automatically oppose those bills?”
HNN reported that Anne’s response surprised everyone. To the contrary, Lopez responded that she would become a leader to get legalization done right with an administration task force to develop legislation in time for next year’s session.
“To make sure that we can create a structure that will allow the state to have legal recreational marijuana with as few problems as other states on the mainland have experienced.”
Attorney General Nominee Anne Lopez, April 12, 2023
Newly-elected Governor Green had campaigned on legalizing recreational cannabis. Hawai’i has been an institutional racist outlier in the western USA. Alaska legalized. Canada is fully legal. Washington state, Oregon, California, Arizona, New Mexico, Colorado, Nevada and Montana are fully legal as well. Mexico is fully legal, although working on recreational policies.
January 16, 1919: Prohibition of alcohol was ratified, banning alcohol in the United States. The measure remains the only amendment that limited the rights of U.S. citizens rather than restrict the powers of government, as was originally intended by the Bill of Rights. Prohibition quickly proved hugely unpopular despite initial overwhelming support by state assemblies, and was overturned by the 21st Amendment in 1933. Officials failed again prohibiting consumption of cannabis.
Currently, Hawai’i legalized medical cannabis, but only decriminalized recreational use. Shown in the chart below, as of January 27, 2023, Hawai’i is half-preggars, as we still fund criminals and drug cartels. They traffic meth, fentanyl, as well as human beings. Not sure why any official would tolerate funding such creepers in the Aloha state.
Promise and Trust Broken
Anne’s promise delighted business officials and the public. National research shows nearly 70% of citizens support legalization of recreational cannabis, including majorities of Democrats, Independents and Republicans. The public is unified.
Anne’s position was also welcome news to the medical dispensary system, which supports a carefully regulated recreational cannabis industry, according Noa Botanicals Founder Brian Goldstein.
“The fact that she is shifting and being more open minded and being willing not just to agree to be part of it, but to lead it is a breakthrough and I’m incredibly I’m glad to hear it,” Goldstein said.
However, once appointed, Anne’s true colors came out. She’s a phony and fraud. On January 5, 2024, the governor and new attorney general slapped Hawai’i residents in the face.
Six months earlier, incompetent HECO execs and government officials destroyed historic Lahaina town, incinerated at least 100 human beings and keiki, and displaced some 10,000+ members of our ‘Ohana. We can never trust ’em again. Now, Anne flip-flopped on her April promise — more trust lost!
“The Department of the Attorney General does not support the legalization of adult-use cannabis. We acknowledge that with changing public perception in recent years, the odds that the Legislature may pass legislation legalizing adult-use cannabis have increased substantially. Given that the Legislature could theoretically pass a bill as early as this year, it is my department’s duty to warn the Legislature of the risks, while simultaneously providing a framework that includes robust public-safety and public-health safeguards.”
Attorney General Anne Lopez, 1.5.24
Governor Flip and AG Flop stated, “Since 2012, however, 24 states plus the District of Columbia have legalized cannabis. In 2023, the Hawaiʻi Senate voted in favor of a bill, SB 669, that would legalize adult-use cannabis, with only three ‘no’ votes registered.”
House Speaker Scott Saiki blocked passage in 2023. This publication reported about Asian, and in particular, Japanese American opposition to cannabis use. Gary Hooser, former state senator, commented in CivilBeat: Speaker of the House Scott Saiki has decided once again to kill the legalization of cannabis by sentencing Senate Bill 669 to “death by referral” making a unilateral decision that four different committees must approve the measure for it to survive.
Insane hypocrisy! Officials in Hawai’i love alcohol. Restaurants, clubs and tourist venues make a killing (literally) selling high-priced mai tais and gallons of beer. Our military culture glorifies consumption of alcohol. Drunk driving is a huge problem. Ask former UH football coach, June Jones. And, what about the children? The most common form of substance-induced psychosis is alcohol-induced psychosis.
Dr. Drew, commenting on FoxNews stated, “in terms of alcohol, in terms of impact on overall health, in terms of being carcinogenic, in terms of lost work years, yes, the cumulative effects of alcohol are measurably worse than cannabis. But cannabis is also bad.”
If alcohol is worse than cannabis, why is it legal? Whoops!!! The USA experimented with alcohol prohibition between 1920-1933. Results were a civil war. Violence and criminals destroyed communities.
American officials, beginning in 1970 with President Richard Nixon, ignored history. Our experiment with cannabis prohibition has resulted in a civil war, where violence, guns, drug cartels and criminals are destroying our communities. Dr. Drew may believe both cannabis and alcohol are bad. Prohibition is far worse!
The People Prevail
Although Anne could not muster the courage to stand on her promise to the people, it’s clear reading the legislative tea leaves that recreational cannabis legalization will happen in 2024. Anne did her best to obstruct progress however. Her office demands “a delayed effective date of 18 months for the legalization of adult-use cannabis and the first legal retail sales to allow the Authority, law enforcement, licensees, and the public to prepare.”
18 months? There are 24+ examples across America. If it takes these government officials 18 months to write competent policy, these people certainly aren’t very bright. Of course, there is another reason to delay. Hawai’i is the MOST CORRUPT state in the nation. Officials will delay purposely to ensure their friends and family members get in the ground floor of the lucrative cannabis business. Follow the money!
Recreational cannabis legalization will happen in Hawai’i — eventually overrunning all the privileged posers and fakers in our community. We’ve been funding criminals and drug cartels for too long. Risks? Life is risk. Many boo-birds continue to warn about “the children.” Honey girl, children can get cannabis any time and most places today. Prohibition hasn’t protected them for over 50 years.
Most importantly, legal recreational cannabis will be sold in dispensaries. Lawful businesses have a lot to lose by selling to children. Drug thugs will sell to anyone. Reasoned, rational people trust our market-based economy over drug dealers lurking around schools.
Poor Anne. She sacrificed her ethics and legacy to “go along to get along in Hawai’i.” Anne will never be great. Had high hopes for both her and Josh Green. We remember the great MLK, Jr today. He demonstrated tremendous courage … courage that cost him his earthly life, but immortalized him in all our hearts.
One only needs a heart full of grace, and a soul generated by love. Serve your community, not yourself!
The Ultimate Measure of a man or woman is not where he or she stands in moments of comfort and convenience, but where he or she stands at times of challenge and controversy. Hope Josh and Anne are remembering Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr today!
Attorney General’s report regarding Final Draft Bill Entitled “Relating to Cannabis” can be found here. Draft bill can be accessed here. Table of contents for the draft bill can be downloaded here.
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