MEDICAL MARIJUANA BACKERS OFFER FUNDS

MONTPELIER -- A marijuana advocacy group on Monday began offering
financial assistance to low-income Vermonters who cannot afford to
register for the state's new medical-marijuana program.

The Vermont Marijuana Policy Project will pay the $100 registration
fee for anyone within 150 percent of the federal poverty level who
qualifies for the program.

Vermont in November became the ninth state to decriminalize the
possession and use of marijuana for chronically ill people suffering
from certain diseases. In Vermont, people suffering from AIDS, cancer
and multiple sclerosis can possess, grow and consume marijuana with
permission from the Department of Public Safety.

Nancy Lynch, Marijuana Policy Project spokeswoman, said some people
who qualify for the state's program might be too poor to pay the
registration fee because their disease prevents them from working.

"We have heard that there are people who could not afford the $100, so
we started a fund," Lynch said. The policy project has set aside
$2,000, she said.

Low-income Vermonters must provide proof of their financial status,
complete a state application and mail the information to VMPP, 58 East
St., Montpelier, VT 05602.

The Policy Project will write a check and file the application with
the state for all who qualify for financial assistance, Lynch said.
Single people who earn less than $14,000 per year qualify for
assistance as do families of four that earn less than $28,000.

So far, one person has qualified for assistance, and the state will
soon consider his application, Lynch said. State officials said five
people have requested permission to medically use marijuana and all
applications have been approved.

Applications can be downloaded from the Department of Public Safety's
Web site at www.dps.state.vt.us.