http://www.mapinc.org/newsnorml/v05/n912/a06.html

Daily News

MEDICAL MARIJUANA DEBATE HEADED WHERE IT BELONGS
(Source:Portland Press Herald)
Regional News
08 Jun 2005
Maine
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“the U.S. Supreme Court, in a decision handed down Monday, nudged the medical marijuana debate toward the forum where it belongs: Congress. “

“Still, for now, using marijuana for medical purposes remains a federal crime, even in states like Maine where there are laws meant to make such use legal.”

Personal note!
(These silly laws made up by the majority of Maines citizens!)

If doctors and patients agree that using marijuana is a worthwhile treatment for cancer and other conditions, then there should be a mechanism to provide the drug to patients legally.

(Why isnt it just up the Maines People? Isnt it there State?)

That's where Congress comes in.

Congress, however, has the power work through these problems. It can see that medical marijuana is studied by the Food and Drug Administration and distributed in a manner that minimizes its abuse. Such is the case with a variety of controlled substances, including morphine and cocaine, which are available through pharmacies.

(Once again with the comparing Marijuana to Cocaine, geeeze...give it a rest already!)


Frankly, part of the political problem for medical marijuana supporters has to do with the coalition that has pushed for allowing marijuana to be used in this way. Some advocates are also supporters of making pot legal. That's a problem for politicians who don't want to appear to be soft on a drug that rightly belongs on the government's list of controlled substances.

(What you dont think Maine citizens know this, and want this?)

One way around this problem of political perception is for Congress to make medical marijuana legal while simultaneously supporting or even strengthening the laws that prohibit using pot as a recreational drug. That way, patients can be helped without lawmakers having to appear soft on drugs.

(Can you see the hypocrisy here. This Maine Newspaper is saying that Congress needs to decide what to do about legalizing Marijuana even for use by Medical Marijuana patients. Even after the states people have overwhelmingly supported it. and at the same time stiffen fines against other users of Marijuana like there now somehow worse offenders then they all ready were believed to be?)

Does anyone believe that the FDA is going to study Marijuana for any use at all?
And then to go on with more crock, like a way around this problem is to make Medical Marijuana legal but stiffen the fines against any other use…My god will they ever get it? If it has medicinal uses then the fed case about it being a bad narcotic just got that much less meaningful.

Grow up all ready!


And this is on the heels of Maine governor pushing for stiffer fines for the possession and use of Marijuana?

http://www.mapinc.org/newsnorml/v05/n814/a05.html


BALDACCI SUGGESTS POT FINE INCREASE
(Source:Bangor Daily News)
20 May 2005

Maine
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AUGUSTA - Hoping to recoup state drug enforcement funds eliminated by federal cutbacks, the Baldacci administration is coming down hard on pot smokers in a clear message that the price of getting high is getting higher.


(And worse than that…This wack job wants to make fines mandatory, indefensible…)

“No part of the fine could be waived or suspended by a judge under the governor's new policy, eliminating the option of negotiating the fine for defense lawyers seeking a potential plea bargain.”

Doesn’t matter if your peers don’t want stiffer penalties, there going to get them anyway, in the name of fiscal management this time.

Does that make it somehow correct to ignore the peoples wishes?





Doesn’t sound like the people are heard at all in this state. How about your state, anyone at home in the capitol building?