PETITION CAMPAIGN FALLS 2,433 SIGNATURES SHORT OF GOAL

PORTLAND, Maine (AP) - Activists seeking to force a statewide referendum on
whether to legalize marijuana for limited medical purposes fell less than
2,500 signatures short of the number needed.

In order to get their measure on the November ballot, Mainers for Medical
Rights had to submit the signatures of at least 51,131 registered voters to
the secretary of state's office by Monday.

Although the group delivered 48,688 signatures, or 2,433 too few, it held
out the prospect that the question could still appear on the ballot in
November.

Craig Brown, Mainers for Medical Rights' political consultant, said his
organization gave the city of Portland a final batch of signatures on Jan.
23, but that the city still has not certified those petitions.

It was unclear what would happen if the group were to obtain the additional
signatures and submit them to the secretary of state's office. Julie Flynn,
director of corporations and elections, said her office might have to seek a
ruling from the Attorney General's Office.