Question #5: An Act To Establish the Maine Medical Marijuana Act

http://morningsentinel.mainetoday.com/view/columns/7014571.html

Everything wrote in this article is the opinion of the author , NOT me.

Kennebec Journal Morning Sentinel

Question #5:  An Act To Establish the Maine Medical Marijuana Act. “Do you want to change the medical marijuana laws to allow treatment of more medical conditions and to create a regulated system of distribution?”

We recommend a “no” vote on this measure.

Medical marijuana poses a series of difficult legal and ethical questions. The medical and law enfrocement communities are opposed to its use, while some patients swear that it helps them.

And while Maine and other states have legalized medical marijuana through citizen-initiated referendums, having it and selling it remains a violation of federal law.

The measure before Maine voters would create a system of dispensaries to distribute medical marijuana and extend the number of illnesses it is authorized to treat.

We are concerned about the opportunity for diversion that this would create. What we’ve seen in recent years with prescription drugs and clinic methadone is that any medication distributed for legitimate use can end up in the wrong hands.

While doctors, pharmacies and clinics have made great strides toward cutting down diversions, we are afraid that a seperate medical marijuana distribution system would create a conduit for drugs to reach the rest of the community.

While some patients, parti9cularly those on chemotherapy who have lost their appetite for food, say they benefit from medical marijuana, we are skeptical of supporters’ claims that it is a good medication for a dozens of illnesses.

Ultimately, this is a federal issue and should be resolved in Washington, not Maine. Mainer’s should vote “no” on this measure.

Everything  wrote in this article is the opinion of the author, NOT me.