Katelyn Baker
Well-Known Member
Good morning from Gardiner. I spent last night at the forum on Question 1 organized by CBS 13 and the Bangor Daily News, which was marked by division among medical marijuana activists on the benefits of legalizing recreational use of the drug.
The panel was traditionally divided: Representing legalization proponents were Rep. Mark Dion, D-Portland, and Alysia Melnick, while Cumberland County District Attorney Stephanie Anderson and prevention specialist Scott Gagnon, the chairman of Smart Approaches To Marijuana, represented the opposition.
Question 1 would allow Mainers to possess up to 2.5 ounces of marijuana, while giving the state regulatory power over cultivation and retail stores and assessing a 10 percent sales tax on marijuana products.
If it passes, Maine would join four other states that have already legalized marijuana. But Maine is among the half of states with systems that allow patients to use medical marijuana bought from state-licensed dispensaries or caregivers - those who can grow it at home - for certain conditions.
Though the bill makes no formal changes to that system, some caregivers think legalization would erode their program, and members of that community caused a stir at Thursday's forum, which featured a live audience.
It made for a strange dynamic: Milo caregiver Dennis Hammac, whose illicit facility treating people addicted to opiates was just featured by Vice, and conservative activist Penny Morrell of the Concerned Women of America in Maine wore "No on 1″ stickers.
Melnick said the referendum would lower costs and open the market to some people who could use medical marijuana, but haven't been able to a get a doctor's recommendation for marijuana. Some doctors are prohibited from recommending it because of federal rules.
"In one vote on Nov. 8, we can change that," she said.
But it was Gagnon who got applause from caregivers and traditional opponents with a retort: "The idea that we need to pass Question 1 to grant greater access to medical marijuana, well, let's work on the medical marijuana law because that's what it's there for."
The hour-long debate is worth a watch, and it shows that this issue is more complicated than the legalization debates that we're used to.
News Moderator: Katelyn Baker 420 MAGAZINE ®
Full Article: Marijuana Legalization Forum Marked By Division In Medical Marijuana Community
Author: Michael Shepherd
Contact: 800.432.7964
Photo Credit: Bigstock
Website: Bangor Daily News
The panel was traditionally divided: Representing legalization proponents were Rep. Mark Dion, D-Portland, and Alysia Melnick, while Cumberland County District Attorney Stephanie Anderson and prevention specialist Scott Gagnon, the chairman of Smart Approaches To Marijuana, represented the opposition.
Question 1 would allow Mainers to possess up to 2.5 ounces of marijuana, while giving the state regulatory power over cultivation and retail stores and assessing a 10 percent sales tax on marijuana products.
If it passes, Maine would join four other states that have already legalized marijuana. But Maine is among the half of states with systems that allow patients to use medical marijuana bought from state-licensed dispensaries or caregivers - those who can grow it at home - for certain conditions.
Though the bill makes no formal changes to that system, some caregivers think legalization would erode their program, and members of that community caused a stir at Thursday's forum, which featured a live audience.
It made for a strange dynamic: Milo caregiver Dennis Hammac, whose illicit facility treating people addicted to opiates was just featured by Vice, and conservative activist Penny Morrell of the Concerned Women of America in Maine wore "No on 1″ stickers.
Melnick said the referendum would lower costs and open the market to some people who could use medical marijuana, but haven't been able to a get a doctor's recommendation for marijuana. Some doctors are prohibited from recommending it because of federal rules.
"In one vote on Nov. 8, we can change that," she said.
But it was Gagnon who got applause from caregivers and traditional opponents with a retort: "The idea that we need to pass Question 1 to grant greater access to medical marijuana, well, let's work on the medical marijuana law because that's what it's there for."
The hour-long debate is worth a watch, and it shows that this issue is more complicated than the legalization debates that we're used to.
News Moderator: Katelyn Baker 420 MAGAZINE ®
Full Article: Marijuana Legalization Forum Marked By Division In Medical Marijuana Community
Author: Michael Shepherd
Contact: 800.432.7964
Photo Credit: Bigstock
Website: Bangor Daily News
