Many medicines come with side effects, but few can compare with medical marijuana's: What other drug, when used as directed, could land you in jail? That's because even though 16 states, including Maine, have legalized the use of marijuana in some applications, the federal government still considers it to be illegal under any circumstance. To confuse matters even more, the U.S. Department of Justice has sent mixed signals about how it views use of the drug. Early in his tenure, Attorney General Eric Holder gave states reassurance that his prosecutors would not go after medicinal users of marijuana. But recently, some U.S. attorneys, including one in Rhode Island, have announced that they would not look the other way at the establishment of legal marijuana growing and selling businesses, even if they were regulated by the state. [continues 253 words]
The U.S. Attorney Has Concerns About Plans to Amend Maine's Medical Marijuana Law and Says Prosecutions Are Possible. Maine's U.S. attorney has told state lawmakers that Maine's medical marijuana law contradicts federal law, and that the U.S. Department of Justice reserves the right to prosecute Mainers who cultivate and distribute the drug, even if they have state approval. U.S. Attorney Thomas E. Delahanty sent a letter, dated Monday, in response to a request from the Legislature's Health and Human Services Committee, which recently endorsed changes to the Maine Medical Marijuana Act. [continues 660 words]
Legalization advocate Christopher Sirois charged after bust in Industry Tuesday INDUSTRY -- A drug bust Tuesday afternoon in Industry shows how drug enforcement agents are struggling to enforce Maine's medical marijuana laws. Maine drug enforcement agents found 200 marijuana plants during a raid of an Industry residence Tuesday afternoon, according to Gerry Baril, MDEA supervisor for western Maine. The problem, however, is that it's unclear what charges should be filed, and against whom, because a woman living in the residence is a medical marijuana patient, Baril said. [continues 990 words]
Maine's U.S. attorney has told state lawmakers that Maine's medical marijuana law contradicts federal law, and that the U.S. Department of Justice reserves the right to prosecute Mainers who cultivate and distribute the drug, even if they have state approval. U.S. Attorney Thomas E. Delahanty sent a letter, dated Monday, in response to a request from the Legislature's Health and Human Services Committee, which recently endorsed changes to the Maine Medical Marijuana Act. Committee members met briefly with Maine Attorney General William Schneider on Wednesday afternoon to discuss legal issues. They are expected to move forward with the amendments. [continues 635 words]
The difference between state and federal law creates legal jeopardy for innocent people. Many medicines come with side effects, but few can compare with medical marijuana's: What other drug, when used as directed, could land you in jail? That's because even though 16 states including Maine have legalized the use of marijuana in some applications, the federal government still considers it to be illegal under any circumstance. To confuse matters even more, the U.S. Department of Justice has sent mixed signals on how it views use of the drug. Early in his tenure, Attorney General Eric Holder gave states reassurance that his prosecutors would not go after medicinal users. But recently, some U.S. attorneys, including one in Rhode Island, have announced that they would not look the other way at the establishment of legal pot growing and selling businesses, even if they were regulated by the state. [continues 249 words]
GARDINER -- A young veteran has organized a cooperative of medical marijuana growers and patients, saying clients have dubbed him "a pioneer" of Maine's budding new industry. Robert Rosso, 25, of Gardiner, and other local growers have organized Kennebec Healing, a business that delivers hydroponic marijuana grown in three locations to 14 patients from Waterville to Windham. "Some of my higher-class patients tell me, 'You're blazing the trails for medical marijuana'," he said. "I've had people call me a pioneer." [continues 1744 words]
GARDINER -- A young veteran has organized a cooperative of medical marijuana growers and patients, saying clients have dubbed him "a pioneer" of Maine's budding new industry. Robert Rosso, 25, of Gardiner, and other local growers have organized Kennebec Healing, a business that delivers hydroponic marijuana grown in three locations to 14 patients from Waterville to Windham. "Some of my higher-class patients tell me, 'You're blazing the trails for medical marijuana'," he said. "I've had people call me a pioneer." [continues 1745 words]
The April 21 editorial, "Bill to legalize marijuana just a waste of time," stated: "People don't smoke pot now because it is illegal, and that usage would skyrocket if the law changed." The same day, the news also carried an article about Portland Democrat Rep. Diane Russell's introduction of marijuana legalization. That reminded me of the fear-mongering in the movie "Reefer Madness." Back then, this same kind of rubbish was reported and led to the Marijuana Tax Act of 1938. Neither is close to the truth. [continues 205 words]
An amended Maine bill has bipartisan support, but federal officials have yet to weigh in. Mainers who use marijuana to ease symptoms of chronic medical conditions would no longer have to register with the state under a proposal that appears likely to be approved by the Legislature. The Legislature's Health and Human Services Committee voted unanimously this week in favor of an amended version of L.D. 1296, which sought to deregulate Maine's medical marijuana program and protect the privacy of patients. [continues 834 words]
Mainers who use marijuana to ease symptoms of chronic medical conditions would no longer have to register with the state under a proposal that appears likely to be approved by the Legislature. The Legislature's Health and Human Services Committee voted unanimously this week in favor of an amended version of L.D. 1296, which sought to deregulate Maine's medical marijuana program and protect the privacy of patients. No vote has been scheduled in the House or Senate, but the bipartisan support -- and the blessing of the LePage administration -- means the bill is almost certain to pass. [continues 813 words]
The state should act on its own to end this wasteful burden on police and the courts. I'm surprised at the editorial position of The Portland Press Herald on marijuana legislation ("Debate on marijuana belongs in federal arena," April 21). The fact of a present disconnect between state and federal laws involving marijuana isn't a basis for dismissing the importance of L.D. 1453. To the contrary, the fact that states across America have enacted various statutes authorizing the regulated use of marijuana is strong evidence that the national perspective is changing. [continues 233 words]
In a rare show of cooperation during a generally divisive legislative session, lawmakers on the Health and Human Services Committee on Tuesday unanimously endorsed a proposal to expand access to marijuana under the state's medical marijuana program. A second bill that seeks to legalize and tax marijuana in Maine was voted down in a divided decision by the Criminal Justice Committee, but the issue promises to resurface in the future. The first measure, LD 1296, would make registration with the state voluntary for patients who wish to use marijuana under the supervision and support of their physician, a measure intended to protect the privacy of patients, according to bill sponsor Rep. Deborah Sanderson, R-Chelsea. [continues 947 words]
The Maine Debate this week centers on a drug that has been demonized and celebrated: marijuana. Join our online discussion on the Opinion page of bangordailynews.com. Editorial Page Editor Susan Young and Assistant Editorial Page Editor Tom Groening will be moderating the discussion and chiming in with comments and questions between 10 a.m. and noon Tuesday, May 10, though readers are encouraged to engage on the question before and after that time. Rep. Diane Russell, D-Portland, who has proposed legalization of marijuana, also will participate in the discussion Tuesday morning. [continues 366 words]
Given the ease with which Mainers can get new laws proposed via the referendum process, it's just a matter of time before the state debates and then votes on a proposal to legalize marijuana for recreational use by adults. If the vote were taken this year or next, it's a safe bet that legalization would be defeated. Exhibit A in that prediction is the defeat last year in California of a ballot measure that would have legalized the drug. But with each passing year, there are more voting age adults who see marijuana as a relatively harmless substance. Someday in the near future, that will translate into a voting majority. [continues 388 words]
At 1 p.m. Tuesday, May 10, supporters of legalized marijuana in Maine will crowd into a hearing room in Augusta to support a Portland legislator's bill to decriminalize pot. Rep. Diane Russell, D-Portland, sponsor of LD 1453, "An Act To Legalize and Tax Marijuana," said she was thrilled to learn yesterday about the hearing that has been scheduled before the Criminal Justice and Public Safety Committee. The hearing will be in Room 436 at the State House. "It looks like I have a May 10 public hearing," Russell exclaimed. [continues 497 words]
Thank you for the front page story, "Portland representative wants to legalize pot" (BDN, April 21), describing the latest meddling politicians drug pushing promotion. From their point of view, it sounds like a good idea, but it doesn't tell the other side of the story. Legalizing marijuana will give us more of the same devastating problems we have experienced with tobacco. And, is tobacco really legal? It is illegal to poison anyone with defective toxic products. Ray Perkins Jr. Waldoboro [end]
PORTLAND - Imagine walking into a neighborhood store to buy beer, wine, liquor and cigarettes. But on your way home you make one more stop to buy marijuana, legally. That's the vision Rep. Diane Russell, D-Portland, will outline at a press conference on Wednesday at Portland City Hall, when she introduces LD 1453: An Act to Legalize and Tax Marijuana. The bill would legalize and regulate marijuana much the same way the state regulates the alcohol and tobacco industries. It would allow adults over 21 to cultivate, possess, purchase and use marijuana within certain limits. [continues 740 words]
FARMINGTON -- It's time to legalize, regulate and tax marijuana in Maine, according to most panel members at Monday's marijuana forum at the University of Maine. "We need a change on the war on drugs," Rep. Lance Harvell, R-Farmington, said. "We need to recognize this war is lost." Prohibition or attacking the supply but not dealing with demand won't win the war, he said. To end the war, state Rep. Diane Russell, D-Portland, said she is co-sponsoring a soon-to-be-filed bill in the Legislature. The proposal would decriminalize marijuana use and growth, she told panelists and nearly 100 audience members. [continues 543 words]
FARMINGTON -- About 50 people attended a forum on the legality of marijuana Monday at the University of Maine at Farmington. The six panelists from the Maine House, law enforcement agencies and a drug legalization advocacy group touched on everything from medical marijuana laws to state's rights. Eric Friberg, who described himself as a medical marijuana advocate from South Portland, said he was surprised by the views of the panelists. "It's the first one-sided panel I've seen in favor of cannabis, usually it's the opposite," said Friburg, 40. [continues 617 words]
FARMINGTON - A forum on current and proposed marijuana legislation and its consequences will be held at 6:30 p.m. Monday, April 4, in the North Dining Hall of Olsen Student Center at the University of Maine. Maine lawmakers, police officers and attorneys will discuss and debate whether Maine's current marijuana laws are too harsh, too lenient or just right. Maine's recent citizens' referendum made medical marijuana legal. Now some lawmakers in Augusta are proposing decriminalizing other marijuana growing and possession laws. All of these efforts are occurring in the face of federal statutes that prohibit the growing and use of marijuana. [continues 108 words]
Inside Maine
