[420 Girl]

Since Hawaii's medical marijuana law was passed nine years ago the number of registered patients has skyrocketed.

According to figures released by the Department of Public Safety, 255 patients were registered to legally use medical marijuana in fiscal year 2001. But by fiscal year 2009 that number had grown to 5,190.

As of June 30 the Big Island had the most medical marijuana patients with 3,160 people registered. Maui came in second with 1,092, followed by Oahu with 691.

Kauai had 208 registered patients while Molokai had 34 and Lanai only 4.

Supporters of the medical marijuana law believe the number of registered patients would be even high if access to the drug were made easier.

Unlike California which allows medical marijuana dispensaries, Hawaii patients are forced to grow their own or buy it illegally.

“What's missing in the Hawaiian law is where do we go to get it,” said Joe Rattner, an HIV patient who smokes marijuana to increase his appetite.

Under the Hawaii statute registered patients are allowed to have three mature marijuana plants on their property, four immature plants and three ounces of usable marijuana.

Rattner was having some success growing his own plants until his backyard was broken into and the would-be thief or thieves tore out his landscaping. Rattner’s mother is now forced to buy the drug illegally.

“You send people like me to the streets to try to find marijuana because it's saving my son's life,” said Lila Rattner. “And I will do what I have to do to keep him alive.”

Joe Rattner is part of a legislatively approved working group hoping to create non-profit marijuana dispensaries in Hawaii. Rattner has the support of a key lawmaker.

“Whether something like that could be implemented immediately or would have to take a couple of years we'll have to wait and see,” said Sen. Will Espero, chair of the Public Safety Committee.

A bill which would have allowed the Department of Health to create marijuana dispensaries was shelved during the last legislative session, but could be revived during the upcoming session in January.

“Whether we have any of the votes to make it happen I cannot say at the moment,” said Espero.

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