By "Radical" Russ Belville on November 3, 2009
With 18% of the returns in, the election in Maine is being watched nationwide for its contentious “Question 1″, a vote on whether to reject the state’s recognition of same-sex marriage. It’s too close to call in that race, but most of the other statewide questions seem to be being decided rather strongly.
Currently, “Question 5″, the proposal to create a statewide registry ID card system for medical marijuana patients (a la Oregon) and medical marijuana dispensaries (a la Rhode Island and New Mexico), is winning by a 63% – 37% vote.
Posted in ACTIVISM, GOVERNMENT, SCIENCE | Tagged dispensaries, Maine, ME Question 5
I am the producer of The NORML Network, the host of the NORML SHOW LIVE and The NORML Stash Blog, and NORML's Outreach Coordinator. I'm married, live in Portland, Oregon, and I am a registered medical marijuana caregiver in this state. I've worked days as an IT geek and nights as a professional musician. Previously, I have been the host of my own political talk radio show on satellite radio. I've been the High Times "Freedom Fighter of the Month" and I travel across the country to educate people on marijuana reform. I've dedicated my life to bringing an end to adult marijuana prohibition and re-legalizing cannabis hemp, and I'm honored to be chosen by NORML to give voice to the Marijuana Nation and to speak for those who can't speak up.
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During some last minute interviews, the proponent of the question did mention that this bill would recognize people from other states that had Med. MJ cards. I’m not sure how that would work as I haven’t read that specifically in the bill.
There are those that feel giving the control to the Maine Dept. of Human Services is a wrong move. Lots of bad blood with DHS taking kids from parents and such. I don’t really trust the thrust behind the Marijuana Policy Initiative as they seem to be for pot remaining a controlled substance instead of being in favor of complete legalization.
There is big money to make with the control & distribution, so we all want to be real careful that we don’t trade one group of crooks (that we know) for another we can’t really be sure of. Anyone wanting to get into the dispensary business will have to pony up $5,000 first.
Still, whether or not the purpose of the bill means the same thing to all the Maine voters, we continuously support greater access. Next move is legalization.
Will the dispensaries and registration increase ease of access for Maine patients?
This looks better than the set-up in Colorado or California.