It seemed strange that aging crooner Tony Bennett's first comment about the death of Whitney Houston was a plea for the legalization of now-outlawed drugs. His point deserves some consideration, however, in spite of the fact that no illegal drugs appear to have been involved in Houston's death. Although she admitted to illegal drug use in the past, and had been treated for it, this time she appears to have overdosed on powerful prescription drugs. With the autopsy results still weeks away, that account may change as the investigation proceeds, but this is a sad story no matter what develops. [continues 732 words]
It's been nearly two years since voters approved the sale and use of medical marijuana for qualifying patients in Maine. Since that time, licenses to operate dispensaries have been awarded to eight health districts across the state, including Hallowell. As the city's mayor, I have been working with state and local law enforcement, along with Becky DeKeuster, executive director of the Wellness Connection of Maine, the non-profit that will operate the Hallowell dispensary, to ensure that all regulations have been met and that our community will be protected. [continues 161 words]
At open house for dispensary, Wellness Connection of Maine says it's ready to meet needs HALLOWELL -- The state's newest medical marijuana dispensary opened Tuesday to the public for the first and last time. Wellness Connection of Maine hosted an open house at the dispensary, which recently began seeing patients by appointment. Now, following Tuesday's public unveiling, only patients and their caregivers will be able to access the office at 115 Water St. Since its first full week of operation last week, the dispensary has served about 30 patients, said Faith Benedetti, who works in patient services. [continues 746 words]
State's Newest Marijuana Clinic Recently Began Operating in Hallowell HALLOWELL -- The state's newest medical marijuana dispensary opened Tuesday to the public for the first and last time. Wellness Connection of Maine hosted an open house at the dispensary, which recently began seeing patients by appointment. Now, following Tuesday's public unveiling, only patients and their caregivers will be able to access the office at 115 Water St. Since its first full week of operation last week, the dispensary has served about 30 patients, said Faith Benedetti, who works in patient services. [continues 746 words]
AUGUSTA -- As Maine's largest medical marijuana nonprofit organization plans to open its dispensaries, the man originally tapped to run its growing operation says the organization does not have enough space to grow the product its patients need. Meanwhile, leading state patient advocates say those who have signed up to receive medical marijuana from a Wellness Connection of Maine dispensary in Thomaston have run up against difficulty setting up appointments and stringent product limits that are well below the amounts allowed by state law. [continues 1847 words]
My initial response to the Dec. 28 editorial, "Pot dispensary a pharmacy, not a social lounge," was to slap my forehead and gasp, "I could have had a (popular vegetable-based beverage)." Actually, that's the polite version. The lounge atmosphere of the California marijuana scam was clearly known long before Maine advocates decided to emulate it. Cannabinoids do have some medical applications, and several products have been available for quite some time through the existing pharmaceutical distribution system. Research to develop others is ongoing. This is the manner in which numerous other nature-based medicines originated, but it is the only one I know of where a psychoactive natural substance is used in its raw form. [continues 186 words]
Inside Maine
