Pubdate: Wed, 10 Feb 2010
Source: Bangor Daily News (ME)
Copyright: 2010 Bangor Daily News Inc.
Contact: http://drugsense.org/url/MWLhV21W
Website: http://www.bangordailynews.com/
Details: http://www.mapinc.org/media/40

TOWN VOTES FOR MARIJUANA MORATORIUM

HOULTON, Maine -- Town councilors stood firmly behind a  180-day 
moratorium on the location or licensing of any  medical marijuana 
dispensaries within the town Monday  evening, joining other 
communities across the state  that are awaiting final decisions on a 
recently passed  law that allows the dispensaries.

Councilors voted unanimously in favor of the  moratorium, with 
Councilor Fred Grant absent.

Maine voters first approved the use of medical  marijuana in 1999. 
The law allows people suffering from  certain medical conditions, 
such as cancer, AIDS and  multiple sclerosis, to use marijuana, to 
possess up to  2 = ounces of the drug and to grow up to six plants.

The new law, which nearly 60 percent of Maine voters  approved, 
allows qualified individuals to set up  medical marijuana 
dispensaries that would be licensed  by the state.

The ballot initiative also expands the list of ailments  for which 
doctors could recommend medical marijuana.

Since the law was passed, some people have expressed  fear that 
medical marijuana clinics will pop up across  the state, along with 
other concerns. A 14-member task  force appointed by Gov. John 
Baldacci met to address  the matter.

Late last month, the task force recommended closing  loopholes that 
could allow abuse of the drug or weaken  law enforcement, creating a 
board of medical  professionals to recommend additional medical 
conditions that could be covered by the law, and to  ensure the 
program is closely monitored so changes can  be made. The group also 
agreed not to predetermine the  number and location of dispensaries.

The recommendations have been delivered to Baldacci.  The suggestion 
will be reviewed so legislation can be  proposed.

Houlton Town Manager Douglas Hazlett said he felt that  the six-month 
moratorium was "appropriate." He noted  that the town is looking to 
the state for guidelines  regarding how communities can develop local 
ordinances  to regulate medical marijuana dispensaries.

"I think that it is appropriate that we do this at this  time," 
Hazlett said Monday evening.

Several Maine towns already have taken similar steps.

Bangor officials are working to incorporate marijuana  dispensaries 
into the city's zoning regulations. Last  week, Newport officials 
enacted a 40-day moratorium on  dispensaries until local ordinances 
could be adjusted  to ensure they are located where the town wants them.

Brewer and Ellsworth also have enacted moratoriums.
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MAP posted-by: Keith Brilhart