MAINE APPROVES USE OF MEDICAL MARIJUANA

PORTLAND, Maine - Voters in Maine have approved the use of marijuana in
treating certain medical ailments.

The citizen initiative asked voters: "Do you want to allow patients with
specific illnesses to grow and use small amounts of marijuana for
treatment, as long as such use is approved by a doctor?"

Question 2, similar to legislation enacted in several other states, was
designed to authorize possession of marijuana for specific medical
conditions when patients are advised by a doctor they might benefit from
the drug.

The list of qualifying ailments includes persistent nausea, vomiting, loss
of appetite from AIDS or cancer treatments, glaucoma, and seizures or
muscle spasms from chronic diseases, such as epilepsy or multiple sclerosis.

The proposed law defines a usable amount as up to 1.25 ounces of harvested
marijuana and up to six marijuana plants, no more than three of which may
be mature, flowering plants.

Mainers for Medical Rights, virtually unchallenged by organized opposition
as it promoted passage of the marijuana proposal, reported receipts of
about $650,000 through Oct. 21 to finance its drive.

Critics of the initiative challenged the medicinal value and reliability of
privately obtained marijuana.

Also at issue were at least some of the claims by proponents that it would
be beneficial in the cases outlined in the proposal.

The ballot initiative drew opposition from the Maine Medical Association
and some law enforcement officials.