Thank you, KCH ADVERTISING Thank you, KCH I am writing this as a public “thank-you” to Kona Community Hospital. I recently underwent a colonoscopy screening procedure and KCH was so professional and caring every step of the way. Admitting, waiting
Thank you, KCH
I am writing this as a public “thank-you” to Kona Community Hospital. I recently underwent a colonoscopy screening procedure and KCH was so professional and caring every step of the way. Admitting, waiting room, prep, and post procedure, all were caring. The doctors took the extra minute to make the patient feel like a person rather than just “another one.” This is increasingly rare, and we are lucky to have this facility and staff.
The medical profession is being underappreciated lately. However, I like to say to critics: “If you were on the proverbial desert island, would you want your companion to be a doctor or a lawyer?” Makes one think, doesn’t it?
Richard Johnson
Captain Cook
Tischler clarifies dispensary comments
Elaborating on the Sept. 3 West Hawaii Today article regarding the Oahu-centric Medical Marijuana Dispensary Task Force scheduled to meet at the Aupuni Center on Sept. 10, I was quoted as saying that my fear was that with (only) dispensaries, medical cannabis patients would be priced out. Indeed, for many that would be the truth.
Nonetheless, I do strongly support a dispensary system. For one, patients will have improved safe access to beneficial medicinal strains, concentrates, edibles and topical applications to treat specific diseases and conditions.
Most of these stains and products commonly available in dispensaries on the mainland are not available here.
For example, epilepsy patients need a specific strain of cannabis while AIDS patients need another. Sick children require a strain high in CBD’s that provides relief but won’t get them high. Yet others can only ingest it.
The primary down side of dispensaries is that they will be pricey. Providing high-grade medicinal cannabis, organically grown under controlled conditions and tested for medical efficacy and purity will surely be more expensive.
Priced high, the black market will continue to flourish. To avoid that and as a positive alternative in keeping costs down, it is essential that the task force recommend giving patients the right to collectively associate as a registered hui. This may take the form of a cancer collective that grow stains to reduce the side effects of cancer drugs. Another chronic pain group can identify and grow affordable strains that alleviate their symptoms.
Establishing medical cannabis groups is a practical and culturally respected way to meet patient needs while lowering the financial burden of costly medication. If we have only dispensaries and force low income patients to continue buying from the black market, this is not a desirable goal. We should have both dispensaries and hui and see to it that all the patients are cared for.
Andrea Tischler
Chairwoman
Big Island Chapter Americans for Safe Access
