POT PROTOCOL IN PERSPECTIVE

State and local officials are right to be cautious in writing rules
for the marijuana dispensaries that were created by voters last
month. But they don't need to reinvent the wheel. There are already
clinics that dispense methadone for those dealing with heroin
addiction. There are tight controls on the sale of cold medicine
containing pseudoephedrine, which can be used to make
methamphetamine. And, other states already have designed systems to
distribute marijuana for medical purposes.

Examining these systems to learn what works and what doesn't will
save Maine a lot of costly missteps.

On Nov. 3, Maine voters, in a 59 to 41 percent vote, agreed to expand
the state's medical marijuana law and to develop a way to distribute
the drug. Days later, a task force was created by the governor to
develop a system to do this.

The first charge in the executive order creating the task force is to
look at what other states are doing. This is a good place to start.
Such a review may also help address concerns about balancing patient
confidentiality with public safety such as those that were raised at
last week's task force meeting.

Thirteen states have laws allowing medical marijuana. Colorado has
more than 60 dispensaries and recently began taxing medical marijuana
sales, which is expected to add $15 million to the state's coffers
annually. There have been thefts from dispensaries, prompting others
to limit their hours and take other steps to improve security. There
are also concerns that the average age of buyers at the Colorado
dispensaries is rapidly declining, which could indicate a rise of illicit use.

As for confidentiality, there are lots of existing models here, too.
Other states maintain registries of people who are permitted to buy
medical marijuana, usually accessible only to the dispensaries and
law enforcement. The state's methadone clinics could also serve as a
model, as client names are protected at these facilities.

Rather than bumbling around for answers, the task force would do
better to review what others have done and learn from their successes
and failures.

At the municipal level, some communities already are moving to ban
dispensaries. This is premature. The usual claims have been made that
the facilities will increase crime and bring an undesirable element
to a community.

Unlike other drugs that can be used illicitly, medical marijuana can
be used to ease the symptoms of ailments that afflict a wide spectrum
of the population. Do communities need to keep their residents safe
from women with breast cancer or grandparents with glaucoma?

Rather, considering zoning changes to ensure dispensaries don't end
up too close to schools or parks, as Bangor is doing, may make sense.

A decade ago, Mainers resoundingly said marijuana should be available
for medical purposes. In November's election, voters made it clear
they expect the state to find a way to make the drug more readily
available. The task force and lawmakers have an obligation to do that
in a way that balances public safety while fulfilling the intent of
the new law.