Pubdate: Tue, 16 Nov 2010
Source: Morning Sentinel (Waterville, ME)
Copyright: 2010 MaineToday Media, Inc.
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Details: http://www.mapinc.org/media/1474
Author: John Richardson, Staff writer

MAINE MARIJUANA GROWERS FORM TRADE GROUP

Small-scale medical marijuana growers around the state are forming a trade 
group to help shape future policies and protect their rights.

A formal announcement of the new group will be made at a news conference 
Thursday in Augusta, according to an e-mail notice from Jonathan Leavitt of 
the Medical Marijuana Caregivers of Maine.

Maine has an unknown number of medical marijuana caregivers who have been 
allowed to grow and sell marijuana to eligible patients   a maximum of five 
patients per caregiver   under the state's decade-old medical marijuana 
law. A new law opening the door to Maine's first storefront medical 
marijuana dispensaries allows caregivers to continue serving patients as 
long as they register with the state by Jan. 1.

"Caregivers provide an essential service for people throughout Maine who 
get relief from severe pain and suffering through medical marijuana. 
Patients get to have a personal relationship with the people who grow their 
medicine, and the lack of administrative overhead means they can get their 
marijuana at a better price," Leavitt said in today's e-mail.

"Caregivers are able to make a decent living while helping people in need. 
Since spring, medical marijuana caregiver networks have generated some 500 
good jobs throughout Maine. Medical marijuana Caregivers of Maine is here 
to make sure caregivers have a place at the table when policy decisions are 
made."
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