A new medical marijuana bill could make it on the ballot next year.

In June, supporters of a citizen’s initiative won approval to begin collecting signatures for a bill that would update Maine’s marijuana laws.

The question will ask: “Do you want to expand the current medical marijuana law to increase the number of plants a person may possess, to allow for patients to self-medicate, and to set up marijuana outlet stores throughout the state?”

“The reason for the new initiative is to replace the existing law that is unacceptable and must be replaced with one that is clear, concise and workable,” wrote Don Christen in a press release from the group Maine Vocals/Maine Citizens for Medical Marijuana.

In 1998, voters approved a referendum question that was supposed to allow patients with specific illnesses to grow and use small amounts of marijuana as long as it was prescribed by a doctor. More than 256,000 Mainers voted for the law, and it passed with about 61 percent of the vote.

Needless to say, federal prohibitions against the use, possession and production of marijuana have made the law ineffective.

According to Christen, the new bill will fix the problems with the law by providing a definition for marijuana, creating a distribution program and providing protection for doctors who run into problems with the feds.

Looking at the details in the bill:

• Eighteen-year-olds could be designated by a patient to grow marijuana for them. But, it appears, so could someone younger who’s a family member of the patient.

• Only clean pot can apply: Stems, stalks and seeds don’t count when weighing the drug.

• People can become patients with a written or oral recommendation from a doctor. But a doctor isn’t necessary. A patient can self-prescribe and self-medicate, according to the proposed law.

• Patients are limited to possessing six pounds of marijuana at a time

• The state has to designate a least one marijuana outlet store or buyer’s club per county and in municipalities with more than 25,000 residents.

• Marijuana providers can have up to 10 patients and up to 990 plants at a time.

• The bill also says it will not condone the diversion of marijuana for nonmedical purposes.

To get on the ballot, petitioners must gather valid signatures totaling 10 percent of the vote in the most recent gubernatorial election. For petitions submitted before Jan. 20, 2006, that meant 50,519 signatures.

It’s a small, small world

During his unsuccessful bid for the Republican nomination for governor, former U.S. Rep. Dave Emery used the services of a powerhouse political advertising firm with strong Maine ties.

Emery’s ads were produced by Stevens, Reed, Curcio and Potholm in Alexandria, Va. The company was founded by Greg Stevens, one of the biggest names among GOP media strategists. Stevens graduated from the University of Maine and still lives in the state.

Erik Potholm, considered a rising star as a Republican communications pro, graduated from Colby College and is the son of Maine political expert, author and Bowdoin government professor Chris Potholm.

While ultimately unsuccessful, Emery used his connections with U.S. Sen. John McCain to great advantage. McCain visited Maine to raise money for Emery and appeared in one of his television commercials, which was produced by Stevens, Reed, Curcio and Potholm.

The firm has worked for McCain, too, producing ads for his senate campaign and his 2000 run for the White House.

SRCP also produced the most memorable televisions ads of the 2004 presidential race – the notorious Swift Boat Veterans for Truth campaign, which attacked U.S. Sen. John Kerry’s military record.

In an interview with The Associated Press, McCain called the ads “dishonest” and “dishonorable.”

But also effective, if the 2004 results are any indication.

SRCP is considered one of the best strategic media companies on the Republican side. The firm has worked for scores of successful political campaigns, including a number of high profile clients in Maine, including CasinosNo!, Maine Hospice Council, and the Maine Medical Association. SRCP has also worked on a number of referendum questions in the state, including transportation bonds and property taxes.

It’s a small political world – especially when you usually win.

Union backs union prez

Democrat James Bradley has won the endorsement of the Maine AFL-CIO in House District 100.

Bradley, the president of the union for associated clerical, office, laboratory and technical staff at the University of Maine or ACSUM for short, is challenging Republican incumbent James Hamper for the seat, which covers Mechanic Falls, Otisfield and Oxford.

Distinctive endorsement

Democratic Gov. John Baldacci, who is seeking re-election this fall, received the endorsement of the Human Rights Campaign, a national organization that works for gay, lesbian, bisexual and transgender equality.

The endorsement was joined by Equality Maine, a state group with the same mission.

According to the Human Rights Campaign, the organization rarely endorsed in gubernatorial races, but said Baldacci’s strong support for adding sexual orientation to the Maine Human Rights Act and support of the gay community earned him the nod.

The endorsement reinforces a key policy difference between Baldacci and state Sen. Chandler Woodcock of Farmington, the Republican nominee for governor. Woodcock opposed the anti-discrimination law.