Rather, doctors would fill out medical marijuana usage certification forms to be submitted to the state narcotics division. This seems like a distinction without a difference, although the risk of prosecution may be low. The police's objection to the law is that it would increase the difficulty of enforcing the law against usage for nonmedical purposes. Obviously there is a possibility that people without health conditions that would warrant authorized usage might attempt to subvert the process by obtaining marijuana under false pretenses. There are many effective and approved drugs to ease pain.
Doctors know how they interact with other treatments, and the benefits and risk of their use.
That is not the case with marijuana. The Legislature and the governor have rejected these objections in favor of the arguments of proponents that relief is needed for the pain of those suffering from intractable conditions. Some of these advocates also support a broader easing, even total abolition, of drug laws. This may be the first step in that direction. THE 20-year master plan for further development of astronomical observatory facilities atop Mauna Kea that was approved by the University of Hawaii Board of Regents constitutes a reasonable compromise.