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Massachusetts is still months away from opening its first medical marijuana dispensaries, but in Maine, a distribution system has been up and running for two years.
Now, both growers and dispensary operators there are pushing for new laws that would greatly expand the number of people who could legally use marijuana.
Between 13-15,000 Mainers currently purchase medical marijuana--10,000 from eight licensed dispensaries, the rest from from private growers, called "caregivers."
Lawmakers on the Health and Human Services Committee are considering six bills that, if passed, would allow for more dispensaries, expand the list of qualifying conditions, and increase the number of plants caregivers can grow.
"I think the question is how can we get more medicine to patients from the dispensary system we currently have," said Tim Smale, Executive Director at the Remedy Compassion Center in Auburn, Maine.
What dispensary operators want most is a new law that would expand the list of conditions for which a physician may certify the use of marijuana to include post traumatic stress disorder, opiate addiction and any other medical condition as determined by a doctor.
"It puts the relationship back where it should be," said Becky DeKeuster, Executive Director for the Wellness Connection of Maine. "I don't go to my legislator to ask talk about chronic back pain. This bill would reinforce the primacy of the doctor patient relationship."
Iraq war veteran Ryan Begin was certified for medical marijuana because of chronic pain from injuries sustained in a roadside bomb attack in 2004.
"I believe the greatest benefit from marijuana use was for my PTSD," said Begin, outside the hearing room.
He says adding PTSD to the list of qualifying conditions would help thousands of other veterans who are now using much stronger more addictive medicines to deal with their stress.
But the Maine Medical Association, which represents 3,800 physicians, says broadening the list of qualifying conditions could lead to abuse.
"We're concerned that it would open the floodgates to physicians facing patients who are trying to access medical marijuana for recreational purposes," said the MMA's Jessa Barnard.
It's clear that access to medical marijuana has made a positive difference for many.
Without it Begin says "I'd be dead or in jail, for sure."
What lawmakers must decide now is is whether expanding the program will help or hurt.
Curious about who is using medical marijuana in Maine? According to the dispensary operators:
-54 percent are male.
-The average age is 50-55 years old.
-Many are on a fixed income.
-On average, patients use about a quarter ounce of marijuana each week.
News Hawk- Truth Seeker 420 MAGAZINE ®
Source: necn.com
Author: Amy Sinclair
Contact: NECN - Breaking News, Boston Weather, politics and the Latest Business, Health, Arts and Sports
Website: Mainers push for new laws to expand medical marijuana
Now, both growers and dispensary operators there are pushing for new laws that would greatly expand the number of people who could legally use marijuana.
Between 13-15,000 Mainers currently purchase medical marijuana--10,000 from eight licensed dispensaries, the rest from from private growers, called "caregivers."
Lawmakers on the Health and Human Services Committee are considering six bills that, if passed, would allow for more dispensaries, expand the list of qualifying conditions, and increase the number of plants caregivers can grow.
"I think the question is how can we get more medicine to patients from the dispensary system we currently have," said Tim Smale, Executive Director at the Remedy Compassion Center in Auburn, Maine.
What dispensary operators want most is a new law that would expand the list of conditions for which a physician may certify the use of marijuana to include post traumatic stress disorder, opiate addiction and any other medical condition as determined by a doctor.
"It puts the relationship back where it should be," said Becky DeKeuster, Executive Director for the Wellness Connection of Maine. "I don't go to my legislator to ask talk about chronic back pain. This bill would reinforce the primacy of the doctor patient relationship."
Iraq war veteran Ryan Begin was certified for medical marijuana because of chronic pain from injuries sustained in a roadside bomb attack in 2004.
"I believe the greatest benefit from marijuana use was for my PTSD," said Begin, outside the hearing room.
He says adding PTSD to the list of qualifying conditions would help thousands of other veterans who are now using much stronger more addictive medicines to deal with their stress.
But the Maine Medical Association, which represents 3,800 physicians, says broadening the list of qualifying conditions could lead to abuse.
"We're concerned that it would open the floodgates to physicians facing patients who are trying to access medical marijuana for recreational purposes," said the MMA's Jessa Barnard.
It's clear that access to medical marijuana has made a positive difference for many.
Without it Begin says "I'd be dead or in jail, for sure."
What lawmakers must decide now is is whether expanding the program will help or hurt.
Curious about who is using medical marijuana in Maine? According to the dispensary operators:
-54 percent are male.
-The average age is 50-55 years old.
-Many are on a fixed income.
-On average, patients use about a quarter ounce of marijuana each week.
News Hawk- Truth Seeker 420 MAGAZINE ®
Source: necn.com
Author: Amy Sinclair
Contact: NECN - Breaking News, Boston Weather, politics and the Latest Business, Health, Arts and Sports
Website: Mainers push for new laws to expand medical marijuana
