The LAW

Initiative seeks new medical pot law
Saturday, June 24, 2006 - Bangor Daily News

MADISON - By early March 2008, tens of thousands of Maine people who suffer from debilitating diseases and chronic pain could find relief in a county marijuana store - a pharmacy that would supply pot to patients who can document that their conditions warrant self-medication, a marijuana advocate said Friday.

"Many, many Maine people don't smoke pot for a good time; they smoke to relieve pain and suffering," Don Christen of Madison said Friday.

Christen launched a petition drive on Friday to get a marijuana initiative on the November 2007 ballot. The petition will require 51,000 valid signatures to be turned into the secretary of state by January 25, 2007, to be on the ballot that fall.

According to an eight-year-old study by the Maine Task Force on Substance Abuse, 95,000 Maine adults routinely use marijuana. Christen, leader of Maine's legalization of marijuana movement, said that figure is underestimated and that a large percentage of those users are patients seeking relief.

Christen, 52, has lobbied for pot for decades. He has been arrested for cultivation, possession and distribution and is awaiting trial in Somerset County for providing pot to five people suffering from debilitating diseases under Maine's Medical Marijuana Initiative, passed in November 1999.

Maine is one of 11 states that permits the medical use of marijuana, including Alaska, California, Colorado, Hawaii, Montana, Nevada, Oregon, Rhode Island, Vermont and Washington.

But the law passed by Maine citizens is flawed, Christen maintained.

"The problem is there is no provision for a distribution system," he said Friday. "When people voted in 1999, they thought they were getting a plan that would work and they didn't."

The new initiative not only sets up such a system, it also would require the state to offer educational leaflets, provide protection for doctors and providers that prescribe marijuana to their patients, and, for the first time, set a final definition of marijuana for the state.

The initiative would allow up to 6 pounds per patient per year, an amount set by the federal government that allows 1 gram joints for its marijuana patients.

"That's 5.7 pounds per year," Christen said. "A patient would use six to seven joints a day, depending on their illness."

Christen said many sick people don't use the existing program because they are scared.

"The potential for abuse is minimal, compared to the benefit for patients," he said. "What we are talking about is helping sick people get pot and keeping them away from the black market and its exorbitant prices."

Since Maine already has decriminalized marijuana, Christen maintained that the state has the right to establish a distribution system. By setting up nonprofit outlets that would stock marijuana grown by authorized providers, insurance companies could be required to pay for the herbal medication. The proposal is to have stores called "buyers clubs" in all cities with more than 25,000 people and one in each county.

Christen said the initiative has built-in protection for prescribing doctors. "That has to turn some heads," he said.

"This initiative will be the model for the country," Christen predicted. "We used math and science to find out what people needed. There is nothing like this. This will be a Maine law, for Maine citizens."

Anyone who wants to volunteer to circulate petitions can contact Christen at 696-8167 or check www.mainevocals.net .

Maine law

SUMMARY: Sixty-one percent of voters approved Question 2 on November 2, 1999. The law took effect on December 22, 1999. It removes state-level criminal penalties on the use, possession and cultivation of marijuana by patients who possess an oral or written "professional opinion" from their physician that he or she "might benefit from the medical use of marijuana." Patients diagnosed with the following illnesses are afforded legal protection under this act: epilepsy and other disorders characterized by seizures; glaucoma; multiple sclerosis and other disorders characterized by muscle spasticity; and nausea or vomiting as a result of AIDS or cancer chemotherapy. Patients (or their primary caregivers) may legally possess no more than one and one-quarter ounces of usable marijuana, and may cultivate no more than six marijuana plants, of which no more than three may be mature. Those patients who possess greater amounts of marijuana than allowed by law are afforded a "simple defense" to a charge of marijuana possession. The law does not establish a state-run patient registry.

Source: http://www.norml.org/index.cfm?Group_ID=4541&wtm_view=medical

Maine's Medical Marijuana Laws, Maine Medical Marijuana Act of 1998. The State of Maine enacted the Maine Medical Marijuana Act of 1998 to protect patients who find therapeutic and palliative benefits from using marijuana to be protected from civil or criminal penalties when their doctors advise that such use may provide a medical benefit to them and when other reasonable restrictions are met regarding that use. The Act is intended to permit patients who may benefit from the medical use of marijuana to be able to discuss freely with, and seek advice from their physician on the possible risks and benefits of medical marijuana use. visit: http://www.safeaccessnow.org/article.php?list=type&type=193

Maine Medical Marijuana Act. This Act may be known as the Maine Medical Marijuana Act of 1998. SUMMARY. This initiated bill makes the following changes to the laws governing the ... visit: http://www.medicalmarijuanaprocon.org/pop/Maine2.htm

What it does... The Maine Medical Marijuana Initiative. The 1999 Maine Medical Marijuana Initiative... What it does... Protects Patients Whose Medical Marijuana Use Is Advised By A Doctor ... visit: http://www.mainers.org/does.htm

INFO, How To

ASA : Becoming a Patient in Maine. How to become a medical marijuana patient in the state of Maine ... The State of Maine enacted the Maine Medical Marijuana Act of 1998. visit: http://www.safeaccessnow.org/article.php?id=2051

CONTACTs

Maine - NORML

CONTACT INFORMATION: Brochures outlining Maine’s medical marijuana law are available from:

Mainers for Medical Rights

P.O. Box 746

Gorham, ME 04084

(800) 846-1039

http://www.mainers.org/

Source: http://www.norml.org/index.cfm?Group_ID=4541&wtm_view=medical

Other CONTACT RESOURCEs - People, ORGs and BIZ

Mainers for Medical Rights. Find the full text of the Maine Medical Marijuana Act and explore what it does and does not cover. Includes links to cannabis research and law. visit: http://www.mainers.org/

Endorsers of the Maine Medical Marijuana Initiative. Thousands of Mainers Take A Public Stand For The Maine Medical Marijuana Initiative ... 1999 Maine Medical Marijuana Initiative. Visit: http://www.mainers.org/supporters.htm

Maine Marijuana Information Resource Center. Information, forum, and links related to the marijuana laws in Maine. visit: http://mmirc.tripod.com/

Maine State Medical Marijuana Program. New program for the state of Maine medical marijuana patients, Medical Marijuana Information site, Main page,grow guides, 250 + pages,1930's Reefer Madness ... visit: http://www.onlinepot.org/legal/stateofmaine.htm

Maine Citizens for Medical Marijuana. From: Maine Citizens for Medical Marijuana. AMR: Competition not Compassion in Maine ... by Maine Citizens for Medical Marijuana, Maine Vocals, Maine Cannabis Alliance, Maine Business .... visit: http://www.levellers.org/me1.htm

Ya-Hooka; CommUnity/Medical_Marijuana. California Cannabis Cooperative ~ CCC a medical marijuana community, ... Maine Marijuana Information Resource Center ~ Message forum for Maine medical ... visit: http://www.yahooka.com/pages/CommUnity/Medical_Marijuana/

Also - Ya-Hooka; Activism_and_Law_Reform/Medical_Marijuana. Organizations actively working to legalize medical marijuana. ... the challenges facing medical cannabis patients, their caregivers and ... Compassionate Cannabis, ACT UP, and Americans for... including -

· Maine Marijuana Information Resource Center ~ Message forum for Maine medical marijuana users and supporters to meet, chat and exchange information, info on current law and pending legislation, links. Visit: http://www.yahooka.com/pages/Activism_and_Law_Reform/Medical_Marijuana/

Active State Medical Marijuana Programs - NORML. For a list of California doctors who recommend medical cannabis, CONTACT INFORMATION: Brochures outlining Maine?s medical marijuana law ... visit: http://www.norml.org/index.cfm?Group_ID=3391

Medical Marijuana Guide - By Rick S. Maughs. Medical marijuana clinics, medical marijuana Doctors, guide, and laws. How to Grow Your Own Medical Marijuana, You should know all the Medical ... visit: http://medicalmarijuanaguide.com/

INFO, Medical

Medical Marijuana Pro/Con. Pros & cons on medical marijuana. Science, risks, policies, & laws. Visit: http://www.medicalmarijuanaProCon.org/

Medical cannabis - Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia. A catalog page offering Cannabis sativa extract. Medical cannabis refers to the use of Cannabis as a physician recommended herbal th... visit: http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Medical_marijuana

Accepted Medical Use of Cannabis: Medical Professionals. DrugScience.org. Medical Professionals. Cannabis's accepted medical use in the United States is increasingly recognized by health care professionals and the medical community. visit: http://www.drugscience.org/amu/amu_medprof.htm

INFO, legal

An Act To Permit The Medical Use Of Marijuana - Mainers for ... The 1999 Maine Medical Marijuana Initiative... The Act... ... Sec. 11. Title. this Act may be known as the Maine Medical Marijuana Act of 1998. SUMMARY ... visit: http://www.mainers.org/act.htm

Medical Marijuana. See generally our discussion of Medical Marijuana. Maine: ME. REV. STAT. ANN. tit. 22, § 2383-B. [Findlaw] $[Lexis]$[Westlaw]. The following states have expressly addressed the issue of palliative care, usually allowing some medicinal uses of marijuana in derogation of controlled substances prohibitions. See Medical Marijuana Commentaries for academic comment. Some of the provisions have been the subject of case law analysis.

Maine: ME. REV. STAT. ANN. tit. 22, § 2383-B. [Findlaw] $[Lexis]$[Westlaw]. The Maine statute exempts the physician from prosecution where there is a bona-fide physician-patient relationship. § 2383-B(5)(A)(2). The statute governs the medical use of marijuana in order relieve pain or alleviate a patients symptoms from disease. § 2383-B(5)(A)(2)(a). The physician must also consult the patient regarding the possible health risks and therapeutic or palliative benefits of the medical use of marijuana. § 2383-B(5)(A)(2)(b). Visit: http://www.painandthelaw.org/statutes/medical_marijuana.php

Drug Policy Alliance: Info for Medical Marijuana Litigators: Maine. Medical Marijuana Act of 1998 - Preamble. “The people of the State of Maine declare their purposes and intent in enacting the Maine Medical Marijuana Act of 1998 to be the following:Use of marijuana has been found to provide important therapeutic and palliative benefits to many patients who suffer from debilitating conditions resulting from certain diseases or treatment of these diseases. Patients should be allowed to use small amounts of marijuana without civil or criminal penalties when their doctors advise that such use may provide a medical benefit to them and when other reasonable restrictions are met regarding that use.” Visit: http://www.drugpolicy.org/marijuana/medical/challenges/litigators/legal/laws/maine.cfm

NEWs

Feds, States Diverge on Medical Marijuana

April 24, 2006. State officials say a new statement from the U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) denying that marijuana has medical uses won't affect state laws legalizing medical-marijuana use, the New York Times reported April 22.

"Really, there's nothing that's going to happen -- any third parties judging whether these substances are effective -- that is going to change Maine law," added Maine assistant attorney general James M. Cameron; Maine passed a medical-marijuana law in 1999. Visit: http://www.jointogether.org/news/headlines/inthenews/2006/feds-states-diverge-on.html

Medical Marijuana Protection Extended in Maine. The original medical marijuana law in Maine was approved by 61 percent of voters in 1999. The measure, LD 611, increases the amount of usable marijuana a ... visit: http://www.mpp.org/releases/nr040102.html

Marijuana - Maine Drug Threat Assessment. In November 1999, voters passed the Maine Medical Marijuana Initiative, Bill LD 2109, ... Violence associated with cannabis cultivation in Maine is limited; ... visit: http://www.usdoj.gov/ndic/pubs/657/marijuan.htm

Two Medical Marijuana Petitions Underway in Maine. Mainers for Medical Rights (MMR), and a local coalition led by Maine Vocals, ... Christen said Maine Citizens for Medical Marijuana, Maine Cannabis Alliance ...

http://www.ndsn.org/jan98/medmj4.html

Newsbrief: Maine Activist Providing Medical Marijuana Indicted. Now, Christen is looking at hard time for standing up for his beliefs. And a group of Maine medical marijuana patients are out of luck. ... visit: http://stopthedrugwar.org/chronicle/371/christen.shtml

At the end of its term, the Task Force on Medical Marijuana reaches an impasse over how boldly Maine should confront federal law

By Sam Smith

Joint Committee. The first ruling in the case against the Oakland Cannabis Buyers' Cooperative ... Regardless of all this, a majority of Maine's medical marijuana task force ...Brian Clark leans back in his living room chair and takes a drag off the glass pipe he keeps on the coffee table. Earlier in the afternoon he'd started vomiting again, a side effect of his HIV medication. The marijuana he's growing in a converted room in his apartment and loading into the pipe calms his stomach. The referendum Maine voters passed last year allowing patients suffering from certain illnesses to legally grow and smoke marijuana was meant for people like Clark. His apparent exasperation with the new law seems at odds with that fact. Visit: http://www.portlandphoenix.com/archive/features/00/09/29/pot.html

Conference to Question Medical Cannabis.

By Claudia Pinto, Daily Progress staff writer

LegalJoint: Medical Cannabis. Tuesday, May 11, 2004. Pregnant women with morning sickness and children with attention deficit hyperactivity disorder might try taking marijuana, according to experts who will speak at an international conference in Charlottesville. Mary Lynn Mathre, president of Patients Out of Time, said it's well known that marijuana can reduce pain and stimulate appetite, which is helpful for AIDS patients. But she said people who attend the Third National Clinical Conference on Cannabis Therapeutics will hear about lesser-known benefits of the drug. See more: http://www.legaljoint.net/mmj/mmj_research/medical_cannibis.asp?p=mmj&mmj=4

Maine Medical Marijuana Campaigns. Therapeutic Models of Medicine. Medical Marijuana in Maine. September 4, 1998. The local initiative sponsored by Maine Citizens for Medical Marijuana did not collect enough signatures .... visit: http://www.levellers.org/mestat.htm

Medical Marijuana Wins Again! Maine Becomes 7th State to Shield Patients from Arrest

On Tuesday (11/5/99), voters in Maine came out in force to say "Yes" to Question Two, a ballot measure that will protect certain patients who use marijuana medicinally from prosecution under the state's drug laws. Question Two was approved by 61%, with voter turnout at 45% -- ten percent more than election officials said they expected to see at the polls.

"We felt likely to win, but support for Question Two went up even more over the last ten days before the election," Craig Brown, a spokesman for Mainers for Medical Rights, the group that sponsored the measure, told The Week Online. Brown credited Cumberland County Sheriff Mark Dion, who announced his support for the measure at a press conference two weeks ago, with the last minute boost. Visit: http://www.stopthedrugwar.org/chronicle/115/anothervictory.shtml

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