Issue link: https://www.e-digitaleditions.com/i/1403381
35 cannapatientcare.com august 2021 | cannabis patient care caregiver focus cannabis cardholders to grow their own cannabis or be able to appoint a caretaker who would grow for them. Hawaii became the 8 th state to legalize medical cannabis and was the first to do this via an act of state legislature. Although Act 228 helped provide some access to medical cannabis, it did not establish a legal market or dispensaries. In July 2015, Act 241 was passed. This legislation stated that the Hawaii Department of Health could administer the Medical Marijuana Dispensary Program by 2016 and also allow dispensaries to begin to dispense medical and manufactured marijuana products once the Department of Health granted them approval (2). Since Act 241's passing, new state and private educational programs have launched that help medical cannabis patients get the support they need. Since 2000, epilepsy has been listed as a qualifying condi- tion in Hawaii. Despite this approved use, there is still judge- ment around the plant. Jari has seen negative stigma and in- adequate education affect the evaluation and adoption of cannabis by many patients. Doctors are also not trained to of- fer patients cannabis as a treatment option. Despite this, Jari believes that more and more people will seek out cannabis as an alternative and primary treatment option for epilepsy and other health ailments. As a parent treating their child with medical cannabis, Jari faces stigma for seeking out this treat- ment option. "Despite the law allowing for the use of canna- bis in children with epilepsy, it was very difficult to find a phy- sician to certify my daughter back in 2013. I wish I was able to start her on cannabis earlier, but there were so many obsta- cles. Coming from a drug-free background, I admit I took some time to 'dig deep and decide' if cannabis was right for her. In the end, MJ was in the fight for her life, and her care supersed- ed any negative stereotyping," Jari stated. The future of cannabis gets brighter as more and more peo- ple begin to see the benefits of the medicinal plant and help change the stigma that surrounds it. Jari hopes that patients will continue to be able to retain their right to grow, exchange, test, and caregive for others in need. Dispensaries that have opened in their state were not put in place to take away a pa- tients' right to grow for themselves, but were established to help those who were unable to grow for themselves. "As ac- cess increases, I hope those in need obtain the medicine they need to live a quality life. For MJ, access to quality cannabis products has allowed her to beat the odds and thrive. It's our kuleana to advocate for cannabis rights," said Jari. Kuleana is a Hawaiian value and practice which loosely translates to mean "responsibility." Indeed, it is our kuleana to fight for the research and patient education to further this medicinal plant's use. References (1) https://www.hawaiinewsnow.com/story/35937355/hawaii-mother-gives- 8-year-old-daughter-medical-marijuana-for-her-severe-epilepsy/. (2) https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Cannabis_in_Hawaii. MJ Sugano with her home-grown medical cannabis plant in Hawaii. MJ and mom Jari Sugano show off some of their home-grown medical cannabis.