MAINE MEDICAL POT LAW FAILS TO PROTECT PATIENTS

To the Editor:

When you cast your vote to increase access to medical marijuana, you
were part of 59 percent of us who did so. Maybe you did so because
you know someone who uses marijuana to alleviate symptoms of
debilitating conditions or maybe because you have compassion and
people should have the autonomy to choose their own treatments.

Maybe you voted for this because you realize marijuana is
proportionately benign; especially in comparison to Oxycontin or
other opiates that are actually physically addictive and have proven
to be a blight on our society. Maybe you realized prohibition
increases the black market and does very little to decrease use. Or
maybe you really don't care what others choose to do in the privacy
of their own lives. Regardless of your reasons, your vote was part of
the 59 percent.

Did you vote for eight state-controlled dispensaries and $15,000 a
year licensing fee for the dispensaries? Did you vote for suspension
of Fourth Amendment rights for patients and caregivers? Both patients
and caregivers will be subject to warrantless search. Did you vote
for patients to have to register with the state to have access to
medical marijuana? Did you think when you cast your vote you would be
increasing government intrusion and control? Patients will have to
register with the state and by doing so subject themselves to
harassment. Did you vote to increase the restrictions to access?

Where is confidentiality? Is this what you voted for?

A common trait is this disregard for the people's will and it needs
to have consequences. Fifty-nine percent voted for this citizens
initiative. This link will take you to the members of the committee:
www.maine.gov/legis/house/jt_com/hum.htm

Any of them your rep? Vote them out.

Johanna Galt

Eliot, Maine