Medical Marijuana Dispensaries Coming To Maine?

The State of Maine approved medical marijuana more than a decade ago. However, problems with how to distribute the medicine, and funding issues, have stalled implementation efforts. An amendment to the original bill is up for review today at the State legislature, and it could allow a non-profit dispensary system, as well as add approvable conditions (LD 1811, see link). The Health and Human Services Committee is holding a hearing today to review a report from a Governor created task force. The report was originally submitted January 27, 2010, but the task force felt that further review was needed. If approved, medical marijuana program participants would be issued a photo identification card.

The problem in Maine is very similar to the implementation problems in Washington D.C. In D.C. voters approved medical marijuana over a decade ago, but do to funding issues it is just now becoming a reality. This is a prime example of how the legislative process works, and how EVEN AFTER VOTER APPROVAL politicians can use dirty stall tactics to impose their personal beliefs on the implementation process. I picture some conservative A-Hole politician in Maine rubbing his hands after the voters approved medical marijuana, saying to himself ‘they may have won this fight, but there is no way in hell I will ever vote to fund this program.’ Such a tactic has the same effect as a veto, which is not a power that has ever been granted to any legislature; only the Executive Branch of Maine has veto power. You go Maine, don’t take that BS!!

http://www.mainelegislature.org/legis/bills/bills_124th/billpdfs/SP071901.pdf