December 4th, 2016, Hilo, Hawaii
The healthcare crisis in America can be subdued with a more holistic approach to medicine. It will take a massive awareness shift but we can save children’s lives, right now by taking action.
We listened to Doctors and nurses. They provided anecdotal evidence, license requirements, regulations, and treatments. They wanted to do more to help. They mentioned being engaged in legal state-licensed programs that were illegal according to federal law.
We were introduced to patients and listened to their stories. They introduced us to their caregivers with equally interesting stories. The anecdotal evidence poured in and the evidence supported a need for further research. We were told we might find answers by looking into Cannabis science and whole-plant medicine.
We studied research papers involving various trials, surveys and a lot of internal body medicine like, “the endocannabinoid system”. The Cannabis plant itself was found to be completely harmless.
Medicine made from the Cannabis plant is reported as being safe. Profit motives in Hawaii continue to plague not only patients in need of Cannabis but also affects the availability of more dangerous drugs like ICE, meth, and heroin. Cannabis, in fact, can be used to combat the opioid crisis in our communities.
The more we learned about medicine and patients the more we wanted to know why this apparently safe and effective medicine was not being used to save lives. So we began studying current laws.
We found that many states had created medical programs. Speaking with people and correlating with legislation we learned that most often, either the program or the medicine was unavailable to the patients. Seeds and clones are illegal to obtain in Hawaii for example.
We also learned the state programs like Hawaii’s were largely unfunded. Many states still classified Cannabis as being one of the most dangerous drugs while at the same time having no medicinal value. Many states still prosecute licensed patients as criminals as does Hawaii. Hawaii law condemns the Cannabis plant as having no medicinal value, a schedule 1 drug. Hawaii has not decriminalized Cannabis use by patients. The outcomes have been devastating in some situations as we learned of a patient on a neighboring island with Epilepsy.
His pediatrician followed normal procedures which lead to a brain hemorrhage resulting in the child’s death. We learned it’s “normal” to put children into drug-induced commas to stop seizures. However, it’s also normal in other states to treat Epileptic seizures with Cannabis as many seizures are Cannabis-treatable symptoms. It became difficult to not get involved.
So we started bringing people together that we met while learning about Cannabis. Meetings ensued and an education effort was started to share Cannabis patient and caregiver stories. Classes and events were scheduled as a result of these meetings.
Volunteers started and grew the project to hundreds of members and thousands of supporters across the state.
The Hawaii Cannabis Organization was created by medical and legal professionals, county council members, state legislators, Cannabis growers and medicine makers. Resources include information patients and caregivers need to acquire a steady supply of safe, legal and affordable medicine. But we also needed deeper support among key stakeholders. During a discussion with community members and legislators, the Hawaii Patients Union was conceived.
The idea that advocacy and awareness could be further raised with support on other islands in a state-wide effort became a reality in 2017. With support from the Hawaii Cannabis Organization, the Hawaii Patients Union is quickly becoming the voice for patients who need better and more accurate information on Cannabis safety.
As the medical Cannabis program became feasible via changes in state law, we began to see a need to support patients in new ways. A new dispensary system became law to support investors. Product safety, compliance and the affordability of medicine have become tertiary to investor needs and the availability of medicine for patients is greatly restricted. Patients need equal access to growing, medicine production and distribution among patients.
Introducing the Hawaii Patients Union program, a professional, unified, diverse, patient run group providing services to licensed Hawai’i Cannabis patients. Our first, member-only program has been created specifically for state-licensed patients in the Hawaii medical Cannabis program.
Patients and medical Cannabis remain the focus of Green Collar Technologies’ sustainable healthcare initiatives. Through our partnerships and members across Hawaii, we continue to raise awareness and support advocates for patients.
Update: Our sustainable healthcare programs have moved on to greener pastures. The Hawaii Cannabis Organization and the Hawaii Patients Union are no longer programs of Green Collar Technologies sustainable healthcare initiative.
We’re proud to have played a small role supporting patients through education, outreach and awareness shifts. The Hawaii Cannabis Organization and Hawaii Patients Union remain “patient-first” in spirit and action. Those groups have announced an intention to structure under new leadership with independent boards.
We’re thankful for your support during the toughest days. When all we have is aloha, aloha is enough. We dedicate these accomplishments to those who suffered and paid the ultimate price for Cannabis healthcare.
We encourage others to get involved in their area to help save the lives of children suffering from Cannabis-treatable diseases.
The following events were conducted under a program entitled, “Hawaii Cannabis Organization“.
Patients need your support. Please visit the Hawaii Cannabis Organization and the Hawaii Patients Union to learn how you can support patients and get involved.
