Gov. Linda Lingle gives medical marijuana patients zero respect with veto of study bill

In a move that could hinder the development of Hawaii's medical marijuana program for another year, Gov. Linda Lingle has imprudently vetoed SB 1058. This exploratory legislation sought to establish a task force to examine crucial issues surrounding Hawaii's medical marijuana law; however, Gov. Lingle has for the second year in a row snubbed patients by vetoing this legislation after it passed both chambers of the state legislature by overwhelming margins.

But the fight is not over as lawmakers can still choose to override the governor's veto, which the Senate actually did last year with a 21-1 vote (unfortunately, the House failed to follow suit). We encourage you to personalize your letter as much as possible in order to maximize its effect.

In her veto message, Gov. Lingle cites what is for all practical purposes a non-existent conflict between state and federal law over medical marijuana as the grounds for her objection. Gov. Lingle has held tight to this reasoning through two administrations, despite the fact that President Barack Obama and Attorney General Eric Holder have announced an end to federal interference with state medical marijuana laws. Governor Lingle's reasoning is not only outdated, it irrationally ignores the fact that Hawaii already has a medical marijuana program that has been up and running for nine years, so any claim that simply examining this law somehow violates federal law flies in the face of reason.

Thank you for supporting the improvement of Hawaii's medical marijuana program. With the help of citizens like you, we can convince legislators to override Gov. Lingle's veto of SB 1058 and enact it into law this year.