TOWN VOTES FOR MARIJUANA MORATORIUM

HOULTON, Maine -- Town councilors stood firmly behind a 180-day
moratorium on the location or licensing of any medical marijuana
dispensaries within the town Monday evening, joining other
communities across the state that are awaiting final decisions on a
recently passed law that allows the dispensaries.

Councilors voted unanimously in favor of the moratorium, with
Councilor Fred Grant absent.

Maine voters first approved the use of medical marijuana in 1999.
The law allows people suffering from certain medical conditions,
such as cancer, AIDS and multiple sclerosis, to use marijuana, to
possess up to 2 = ounces of the drug and to grow up to six plants.

The new law, which nearly 60 percent of Maine voters approved,
allows qualified individuals to set up medical marijuana
dispensaries that would be licensed by the state.

The ballot initiative also expands the list of ailments for which
doctors could recommend medical marijuana.

Since the law was passed, some people have expressed fear that
medical marijuana clinics will pop up across the state, along with
other concerns. A 14-member task force appointed by Gov. John
Baldacci met to address the matter.

Late last month, the task force recommended closing loopholes that
could allow abuse of the drug or weaken law enforcement, creating a
board of medical professionals to recommend additional medical
conditions that could be covered by the law, and to ensure the
program is closely monitored so changes can be made. The group also
agreed not to predetermine the number and location of dispensaries.

The recommendations have been delivered to Baldacci. The suggestion
will be reviewed so legislation can be proposed.

Houlton Town Manager Douglas Hazlett said he felt that the six-month
moratorium was "appropriate." He noted that the town is looking to
the state for guidelines regarding how communities can develop local
ordinances to regulate medical marijuana dispensaries.

"I think that it is appropriate that we do this at this time,"
Hazlett said Monday evening.

Several Maine towns already have taken similar steps.

Bangor officials are working to incorporate marijuana dispensaries
into the city's zoning regulations. Last week, Newport officials
enacted a 40-day moratorium on dispensaries until local ordinances
could be adjusted to ensure they are located where the town wants them.

Brewer and Ellsworth also have enacted moratoriums.