Marijuana advocate to campaign again
By Hugh Clark
Advertiser Big Island Bureau
HILO, Hawai'i — Jonathan Adler, a frequent candidate for political office and supporter of legalizing marijuana, yesterday won approval from a Big Island judge to travel around the state to campaign — but he can't run for governor under the Green Party banner.
Adler, after a court appearance that he said made him "very happy," said he plans to run on another ticket — perhaps the Natural Law party — or as an independent.
He will not contest the decision by Green co-chairs Ira Rohter and Julia Leialoha to deny him access to their party.
In court yesterday, Judge Greg Nakamura relaxed conditions of Adler's release without bond while he awaits trial on marijuana charges stemming from a raid on his home on Dec. 23, 1998.
In a letter to Adler that the candidate released yesterday, the Green Party co-chairs wrote: "The coordinating committee is prepared to disqualify you, if you file papers to run for the office of governor as a Green.
"You lack the ability to convey your positions effectively to the public," they said.
"You are a disruptive and ultimately destructive influence on movements in which you participate."
But Adler was not backing off.
"Jonathan Adler is NO JOKE!" he replied in a statement issued from his Puna residence. "He has spent years developing a credible plan to rid government of corruption and has fought at every turn to protect our rights."
Adler said he had learned from three previous attempts at public office on the Big Island — including a 2000 run at mayor — and will pursue his ambitions.
Adler, 49, is head minister of the East Hawai'i unit of the Religion of Jesus Church, a group he joined in 1974 on Kaua'i.
He will continue to seek reform of the state's drug laws and to advance his religious and health rights to use and grow marijuana.
Trial on the Dec. 23 raid was delayed yesterday until Adler's August 1988 case is retried by Nakamura after a jury deadlocked in August. That retrial began last week.
