Regulating reefer
The most significant question on Maine's ballot has turned out to be Question 5, the easy approval of which will create a network of nonprofit medical marijuana dispensaries. We're leery of the idea, especially the mechanics of its oversight, but the voters have spoken.
One thing must be certain: Another decade should not pass before the intent of this citizen initiative is realized. Medical marijuana was approved in Maine in 1999, but the Legislature dithered for a decade without addressing how patients could acquire it legally.
This year's vote made the choice for them.
There is valid concern about the regulation of these entities under the Department of Health and Human Services. Now that the plan is approved, the governor and lawmakers should not delay in studying the smartest, most secure method of overseeing these dispensaries and ensuring the medically approved product inside doesn't become trafficked for recreation outside.
It is new ground and a tall order. Only Rhode Island and New Mexico have approved nonprofit medical marijuana dispensaries. How Maine decides to regulate them could become a national model to follow.
Or not.
ricktardif says
worldwiderick
medical marijuana is a farce. Do I need to be sick, or pay off a doctor to get high!?
The truth is, the medical movement is just a cover to attain some sort of legality by praying on peoples empathy.
We should just legalize hempf. The product was used for thousands of years. Ya, you can smoke it to get high- so what! Should our government make bannana peelings illegal, or regulate nutmeg?
Hempf could be a cash crop again- not for dope heads, but for producing paper, high quality fibers for textiles, heating pellets... Perhaps people will smoke some buds. Wouldn't it be better to take the power of high profits away from criminals?
I remember when there was a pothead selling joints on every knox street corner. Funny, back then people didn't use coke or meth to the extent that we now see. As a teenager it was always very difficult to get beer (legal). Drugs were everywhere, and easilly accessable. Keeping it illegal only creates a market that criminals exploit. If pot were legal, there would be fewer hard drugs available and the criminals would be out of business.