Maine votes to expand medical MJ laws!!!!

Pure madness 2 · 11-05-09, 00:53

Maine votes to allow storefronts to supply medical marijuana.

Now the federal government needs to follow suit.

mate0x · 11-05-09, 00:59

YES! I'm in New England so I hope the rest follow suit. They have so far. Woohoo.

warriorsoul · 11-05-09, 08:52

This is a dramatic step forward, the first time that any state’s voters have authorized the state government to license medical marijuana dispensaries,” said Rob Kampia, executive director of the Marijuana Policy Project in Washington, D.C., which drafted the initiative and provided start-up funding for the campaign. “Coming a decade after passage of Maine’s original marijuana law, this is a huge sign that voters are comfortable with these laws, and also a sign that the recent change of policy from the Obama administration is having a major impact.

Umbo · 11-05-09, 09:27

Hell yes! So excited that
this passed. To bad we veto'd
same sex marrige tho..can't win
them all I guess.

dice · 11-05-09, 09:38

Thats awesome to see Maine pass this law.
Looks like we are keeping the forward momentum going.

StheNC · 11-05-09, 10:19

I'm waiting patiently in PA. There's a bill being considered right now.

prism · 11-05-09, 10:25

Ohio used to be the most decriminalized state in the Midwest until Michigan went medical. The Problem in Ohio is that all this shit is done in the State Legislature instead of a public vote on the matter.

Most elected officials want nothing to do with this issue and they continue to vote against it or remain silent. I hope as other states do the right thing, our elected officials will fall in line...

I find it funny that the FOP is backing the Casino initiative because of the Tax revenue and the some 34,000 jobs that the industry will create. I would love to see the cops getting behind Cannabis in this way. I won't hold my breath...

The hits keep on coming though and I hope we free the Herb soon!!

Congrats Maine!!

warriorsoul · 11-05-09, 10:28

Oops, i didn't see you had posted this already..thanks!

http://forums.mycotopia.net/grassroo...providers.html (Maine becomes the third State to License Medical Marijuana Providers)

“This is a dramatic step forward, the first time that any state’s voters have authorized the state government to license medical marijuana dispensaries,” said Rob Kampia, executive director of the Marijuana Policy Project in Washington, D.C., which drafted the initiative and provided start-up funding for the campaign. “Coming a decade after passage of Maine’s original marijuana law, this is a huge sign that voters are comfortable with these laws, and also a sign that the recent change of policy from the Obama administration is having a major impact.”

Maine becomes 5th state to allow pot dispensaries

By CLARKE CANFIELD (AP) – 16 hours ago

PORTLAND, Maine — Voters approved a referendum making Maine the fifth state to allow retail pot dispensaries, but medical marijuana advocates say it won't become like California, where hundreds of marijuana shops have popped up and come under critical scrutiny.

California, Colorado, New Mexico and Rhode Island allow for places where medical marijuana patients can legally buy pot. Maine voters gave their approval Tuesday, 59 percent to 41 percent.

Referendum opponents pointed at Los Angeles as proof that cannabis outlets are a bad idea. There, the district attorney has vowed to crack down on places that are selling the drug to people who don't qualify.

But Ethan Nadelmann of the New York-based Drug Policy Alliance said there's no chance Maine would become like Los Angeles, which he called the "wild west West" of medical marijuana, because of stricter provisions.

Maine law requires that dispensaries be licensed by the state, while California law does not, he said. Maine law also narrowly defines medical conditions for which patients can be prescribed pot, while California allows doctors to recommend it for virtually any ailment.

"You aren't going to see hundreds of dispensaries popping up all over Maine," Nadelmann said. "You're going to see a more regulated system."

Nonetheless, the director of the Maine Drug Enforcement Agency said the language of the Maine referendum lacks proper oversight and control. The potential exists for a dispensary to become "nothing more than a storefront for the criminal activity of drug dealing, which is the experience in California," said Roy McKinney.

"If there isn't sufficient oversight, inspection, audits, etc., the potential is there for criminal activity to flourish," he said.

Fourteen states have laws allowing some use of marijuana for medical purposes. Maine's medical marijuana law, first approved in 1999, allows the use of pot for debilitating conditions such as cancer, AIDS and multiple sclerosis.

The original law allows patients to possess up to 2 1/2 ounces of pot and up to six marijuana plants, but many of those patients don't have a legal way to obtain it. The new law will give them places where they can buy it.

The number of dispensaries has exploded in California and Colorado. Los Angeles alone has up to 800 of them by some estimates, and Colorado has about 100. New Mexico has one and Rhode Island doesn't have any.

While many cannabis clubs have sprouted in Los Angeles, most California towns and cities have rules that regulate them on the local level and reflect the local values and attitudes, said Allen St. Pierre of the National Organizatoin for the Reform of Marijuana Laws.

In Maine, dispensaries are more likely to show up in liberal-leaning cities and towns, he said.

"Obviously, the Portlands of the world will have more than Aroostook County," he said, contrasting Maine's largest city with the state's conservative northernmost county.

More states could adopt measures to allow for marijuana dispensaries with the recent announcement that the Obama administration would not seek to arrest medical marijuana users and suppliers under federal laws as long as they conform to state laws, said Bruce Mirken of the Marijuana Policy Project.

"I think it's a signal to the states, to voters and state legislatures, that this is something we can do without getting into a fight with the federal government, which nobody wants," he said.

Copyright © 2009 The Associated Press. All rights reserved.

Stonehenge · 11-05-09, 11:40

Another step forward for civilization. The people have been wanting this for years but the politicians didn't want it. Big media is still against it.

StheNC · 11-05-09, 11:51

I like to smoke in public, in broad daylight, whilst screaming, "OW MY LEG!! OW MY BACK!!"

I'm stupid like that.

bugs · 11-05-09, 11:54

Quote:

Originally Posted by warriorsoul

"You aren't going to see hundreds of dispensaries popping up all over Maine," Nadelmann said. "You're going to see a more regulated system."

Maybe not, but I'll bet lots of folks in the County will be supplying the Portland dispensaries. Lots more profit than potatoes.

StheNC · 11-05-09, 12:01

I could move to Maine....

BlacHaze · 11-05-09, 21:31

Legalize it.
Let us be free.

and let gays have equal benefits.

Moose country was great to visit.
We spotted a few along the road at night.
It was fun to hear Moose radio.

I dream of a day
where I can plant
my weed and my tomatoes openly.

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11-05-09, 00:53	#1 (permalink)
Pure madness 2 Mycophiliac Join Date: Oct 2009 Posts: 21	Maine votes to expand medical MJ laws!!!! Maine votes to allow storefronts to supply medical marijuana. Now the federal government needs to follow suit.

11-05-09, 08:52	#3 (permalink)
warriorsoul Mr. Blue-Foot Join Date: Aug 2007 Posts: 1,897	Maine becomes the third State to License Medical Marijuana Providers This is a dramatic step forward, the first time that any state’s voters have authorized the state government to license medical marijuana dispensaries,” said Rob Kampia, executive director of the Marijuana Policy Project in Washington, D.C., which drafted the initiative and provided start-up funding for the campaign. “Coming a decade after passage of Maine’s original marijuana law, this is a huge sign that voters are comfortable with these laws, and also a sign that the recent change of policy from the Obama administration is having a major impact. __________________ "He findeth not who seeks his own The soul is lost that's saved alone." John Whittier

11-05-09, 09:27	#4 (permalink)
Umbo Mycology is Yourcology Join Date: May 2008 Posts: 200	Hell yes! So excited that this passed. To bad we veto'd same sex marrige tho..can't win them all I guess. __________________ Screw it. Brew it.

11-05-09, 09:38	#5 (permalink)
dice Jack of all trades. Join Date: Aug 2007 Posts: 1,762	Thats awesome to see Maine pass this law. Looks like we are keeping the forward momentum going. __________________ When in doubt Pack another

11-05-09, 00:59	#2 (permalink)
mate0x VIP Member Join Date: Nov 2007 Posts: 50	YES! I'm in New England so I hope the rest follow suit. They have so far. Woohoo.

11-05-09, 10:19	#6 (permalink)
StheNC Radioactive Workhorse Join Date: Nov 2009 Posts: 42	another step in the right direction I'm waiting patiently in PA. There's a bill being considered right now.

11-05-09, 10:25	#7 (permalink)
prism Running from My Mycelium Join Date: Jun 2007 Posts: 3,922	Ohio used to be the most decriminalized state in the Midwest until Michigan went medical. The Problem in Ohio is that all this shit is done in the State Legislature instead of a public vote on the matter. Most elected officials want nothing to do with this issue and they continue to vote against it or remain silent. I hope as other states do the right thing, our elected officials will fall in line... I find it funny that the FOP is backing the Casino initiative because of the Tax revenue and the some 34,000 jobs that the industry will create. I would love to see the cops getting behind Cannabis in this way. I won't hold my breath... The hits keep on coming though and I hope we free the Herb soon!! Congrats Maine!! __________________ No matter how pretty the fire is, dont touch it!

11-05-09, 10:28	#8 (permalink)
warriorsoul Mr. Blue-Foot Join Date: Aug 2007 Posts: 1,897	Oops, i didn't see you had posted this already..thanks! http://forums.mycotopia.net/grassroo...providers.html (Maine becomes the third State to License Medical Marijuana Providers) “This is a dramatic step forward, the first time that any state’s voters have authorized the state government to license medical marijuana dispensaries,” said Rob Kampia, executive director of the Marijuana Policy Project in Washington, D.C., which drafted the initiative and provided start-up funding for the campaign. “Coming a decade after passage of Maine’s original marijuana law, this is a huge sign that voters are comfortable with these laws, and also a sign that the recent change of policy from the Obama administration is having a major impact.” Maine becomes 5th state to allow pot dispensaries By CLARKE CANFIELD (AP) – 16 hours ago PORTLAND, Maine — Voters approved a referendum making Maine the fifth state to allow retail pot dispensaries, but medical marijuana advocates say it won't become like California, where hundreds of marijuana shops have popped up and come under critical scrutiny. California, Colorado, New Mexico and Rhode Island allow for places where medical marijuana patients can legally buy pot. Maine voters gave their approval Tuesday, 59 percent to 41 percent. Referendum opponents pointed at Los Angeles as proof that cannabis outlets are a bad idea. There, the district attorney has vowed to crack down on places that are selling the drug to people who don't qualify. But Ethan Nadelmann of the New York-based Drug Policy Alliance said there's no chance Maine would become like Los Angeles, which he called the "wild west West" of medical marijuana, because of stricter provisions. Maine law requires that dispensaries be licensed by the state, while California law does not, he said. Maine law also narrowly defines medical conditions for which patients can be prescribed pot, while California allows doctors to recommend it for virtually any ailment. "You aren't going to see hundreds of dispensaries popping up all over Maine," Nadelmann said. "You're going to see a more regulated system." Nonetheless, the director of the Maine Drug Enforcement Agency said the language of the Maine referendum lacks proper oversight and control. The potential exists for a dispensary to become "nothing more than a storefront for the criminal activity of drug dealing, which is the experience in California," said Roy McKinney. "If there isn't sufficient oversight, inspection, audits, etc., the potential is there for criminal activity to flourish," he said. Fourteen states have laws allowing some use of marijuana for medical purposes. Maine's medical marijuana law, first approved in 1999, allows the use of pot for debilitating conditions such as cancer, AIDS and multiple sclerosis. The original law allows patients to possess up to 2 1/2 ounces of pot and up to six marijuana plants, but many of those patients don't have a legal way to obtain it. The new law will give them places where they can buy it. The number of dispensaries has exploded in California and Colorado. Los Angeles alone has up to 800 of them by some estimates, and Colorado has about 100. New Mexico has one and Rhode Island doesn't have any. While many cannabis clubs have sprouted in Los Angeles, most California towns and cities have rules that regulate them on the local level and reflect the local values and attitudes, said Allen St. Pierre of the National Organizatoin for the Reform of Marijuana Laws. In Maine, dispensaries are more likely to show up in liberal-leaning cities and towns, he said. "Obviously, the Portlands of the world will have more than Aroostook County," he said, contrasting Maine's largest city with the state's conservative northernmost county. More states could adopt measures to allow for marijuana dispensaries with the recent announcement that the Obama administration would not seek to arrest medical marijuana users and suppliers under federal laws as long as they conform to state laws, said Bruce Mirken of the Marijuana Policy Project. "I think it's a signal to the states, to voters and state legislatures, that this is something we can do without getting into a fight with the federal government, which nobody wants," he said. Copyright © 2009 The Associated Press. All rights reserved. __________________ "He findeth not who seeks his own The soul is lost that's saved alone." John Whittier

11-05-09, 11:40	#9 (permalink)
Stonehenge Mycophage Join Date: Aug 2009 Posts: 112	Another step forward for civilization. The people have been wanting this for years but the politicians didn't want it. Big media is still against it.

11-05-09, 11:51	#10 (permalink)
StheNC Radioactive Workhorse Join Date: Nov 2009 Posts: 42	a good idea I like to smoke in public, in broad daylight, whilst screaming, "OW MY LEG!! OW MY BACK!!" I'm stupid like that.

11-05-09, 12:01	#12 (permalink)
StheNC Radioactive Workhorse Join Date: Nov 2009 Posts: 42	Maine's close I could move to Maine....

11-05-09, 21:31	#13 (permalink)
BlacHaze Mycotopiate Join Date: Sep 2007 Posts: 442	Legalize it. Let us be free. and let gays have equal benefits. Moose country was great to visit. We spotted a few along the road at night. It was fun to hear Moose radio. I dream of a day where I can plant my weed and my tomatoes openly.

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