Pubdate: Tue, 14 Apr 2009
Source: Kennebec Journal (Augusta, ME)
Copyright: 2009 Blethen Maine Newspapers Inc
Contact: 
http://centralmaine.mainetoday.com/readerservices/lettertotheeditor.html
Website: http://kennebecjournal.mainetoday.com/
Details: http://www.mapinc.org/media/1405
Author: Susan M. Cover
Bookmark: http://www.mapinc.org/mmj.htm (Cannabis - Medicinal)
Bookmark: http://mapinc.org/topic/dispensaries

MEDICAL MARIJUANA BILL WOULD CREATE ACCESS FOR SICK

AUGUSTA -- Law enforcement officials said Monday they oppose a bill 
that would allow nonprofit medical marijuana dispensaries, fearing 
easier access to the drug would increase crime.

"If this bill becomes law, it will dramatically increase access to 
this intoxicant," said Geoffrey Rushlau, district attorney for Waldo, 
Knox, Lincoln and Sagadahoc counties.

Rushlau and others testified before the Legislature's Health and 
Human Services Committee as it considered a bill brought forward by 
citizen initiative.

The bill, L.D. 975, adds conditions that a physician can prescribe 
marijuana; creates a voluntary identification card for qualified 
patients; and allows nonprofit dispensaries, which would make access 
to marijuana easier for patients who have a doctor's permission.

Jonathan Leavitt, who spoke on behalf of Maine Citizens for Patients' 
Rights, said the bill addresses the biggest flaw in current state 
statute: access.

Current law allows those who are qualified to grow up to six plants, 
but he said many patients don't have the equipment or the permission 
of a landlord to cultivate the marijuana.

"People access it via the black market," he said.

Leavitt said more than 80,000 people signed the petition to put the 
new bill before the Legislature. He said he chose not to pack the 
hearing room with supporters and, instead, spoke on behalf of "the 
thousands of Maine residents" whom he said would benefit from medical 
marijuana.

"There is not a lot that could be added to the stories you have 
probably heard of: people with cancer using cannabis to lessen the 
pain of radiation treatments, or someone who was living HIV-positive 
using cannabis to simply allow them to eat," he said.

Yet law enforcement officials fear creating storefronts for medical 
marijuana would increase crime, traffic and noise, said Roy McKinney, 
director of the Maine Drug Enforcement Agency. "This legislation 
raises concerns for public health, safety and welfare of Maine 
citizens," he said.

In all likelihood, it will be up to voters in November to approve or 
reject the bill. Although it is now before a legislative committee, 
lawmakers typically reject citizen initiatives, putting them to a 
public vote. The Health and Human Services Committee is scheduled to 
vote on the bill Wednesday.

Dave Wilkinson, of Harpswell, who has stage two prostate cancer and 
leukemia, has been authorized to use marijuana by two doctors.

However, he testified in opposition to the bill, saying he's worried 
about the names of patients ending up on a list if people sign up for a card.

"L.D. 975 treats a nontoxic herbal plant as if it were plutonium," he 
said. "Far more deadly are police harassment, employment problems and 
social stigma."

The Maine Medical Association did not take a formal position on the 
bill, but said it is not aware of complaints from physicians about 
misuse of the current law, said Andrew MacLean, deputy executive vice 
president of the association.

He said "most physicians" believe there are other prescription drugs 
that help address the conditions described by medical marijuana advocates.

While some physicians acknowledge that marijuana provides some relief 
sooner than some prescription medications, "most believe that the 
health risks of smoking outweigh the potential benefit," he said.

Yet Charles Wynott, who said medical marijuana helps control nausea 
caused by the pills he takes for HIV/AIDS, said people need safe 
access to medical marijuana.

"Please understand there are patients out there who need your help," he said.
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MAP posted-by: Jay Bergstrom