Pubdate: Tue, 28 Apr 2015 Source: Boston Globe (MA) Copyright: 2015 Associated Press Contact: http://services.bostonglobe.com/news/opeds/letter.aspx?id=6340 Website: http://bostonglobe.com/ Details: http://www.mapinc.org/media/52 PATIENTS WANT HOSPITALS TO ALLOW MARIJUANA USE (AP) - Medical marijuana patients in Maine are urging state lawmakers to allow use of smokeless forms of the drug in hospitals. Patients, their caregivers, and dispensary representatives told lawmakers Monday that many patients are denied the drug or have to use it discreetly because most hospitals do not allow it. The bill is getting pushback from hospital officials and doctors, the Portland Press Herald reported. They say they could lose federal funding if they allow medical marijuana. Samantha Brown told lawmakers that her 3-year-old daughter uses marijuana to treat seizures but has been denied access to it during hospital visits. Brown said that left her in the "uncomfortable position" of having to use it covertly. - --- MAP posted-by: Jay Bergstrom