PILOT PROGRAM WOULD SOLVE MARIJUANA DISTRIBUTION PROBLEMS

Medical marijuana was approved by the vast majority of Maine voters almost
two years ago. It was recognized at that time that there was no adequate
means by which the intended patients could obtain their medicine.

The current "grow your own" method is slow and costly. The black market
method is quicker but still costly and unsafe. Surely no one intended to
make people with debilitating diseases like cancer and AIDS risk life and
limb just to acquire the medicine they need. But that is exactly what is
happening. Also, many are too weak or haven't the time to wait for the
marijuana to grow.

The Attorney General's Task Force overwhelmingly approved a pilot
distribution program that will take the burden of supply away from patients
and put it under the secure and watchful eye of the community.

The program is self-supporting, meaning no money will come from the state.

LD-611 was introduced by Sen. Ann Rand, D-Portland, and is favored by
parties. Law enforcement will be intricately involved with the entire
process, which insures the security of the operation.

LD-611 must/should have the support of all who care about human suffering.
It is approved by the Maine voters, the Attorney General's task force, has
bi-partisan support and is far better than the black market. It will be
carefully monitored by the community and will cost the state nothing.

LD-611 is the best approach Maine can take to solving the problem of
obtaining this medicine for patients.

Tina Russell, Norway