Pubdate: Tue, 02 Nov 1999 Source: Associated Press Copyright: 1999 Associated Press Author: Francis X. Quinn, Associated Press Note: MAP newshawks and editors are standing by to bring you the news clippings on this election. If you know of a web based story on the results and are unsure of how to newshawk it please send a note to The fastest way to find the coverage of Maine (or any state, provence or country) is to use the Location dropdown in MAP's new Power Search at: http://www.mapinc.org/find/ And: Dave Fratello writes: The Portland Press Herald claims they'll be posting live election returns on their website: http://www.portland.com/election/ MAINE SPEAKS ON MEDICAL MARIJUANA MEASURE After a lopsided campaign in which proponents raised and spent hundreds of thousands of dollars and opponents made their case mainly by word of mouth, Maine voters Tuesday considered a proposal to legalize marijuana for certain medicinal uses. Voter approval would mean that the proposed legislation could take effect within 60 days. The citizen initiative asked voters: ''Do you want to allow patients with specific illnesses to grow and use small amounts of marijuana for treatment, as long as such use is approved by a doctor?'' Question 2, similar to legislation enacted in several other states, was designed to authorize possession of marijuana for specific medical conditions when patients are advised by a doctor they might benefit from the drug. The list of qualifying ailments includes persistent nausea, vomiting, loss of appetite from AIDS or cancer treatments, glaucoma, and seizures or muscle spasms from chronic diseases, such as epilepsy or multiple sclerosis. The proposed law defines a usable amount as up to 1.25 ounces of harvested marijuana and up to six marijuana plants, no more than three of which may be mature, flowering plants. Mainers for Medical Rights, virtually unchallenged by organized opposition as it promoted passage of the marijuana proposal, reported receipts of about $650,000 through Oct. 21 to finance its drive. Critics of the initiative challenged the medicinal value and reliability of privately obtained marijuana. Also at issue were at least some of the claims by proponents that it would be beneficial in the cases outlined in the proposal. The ballot initiative drew opposition from the Maine Medical Association and some law enforcement officials. In the first three weeks of October, Mainers for Medical Rights reported receiving $170,670 in cash and $41,724.65 in in-kind contributions from Americans for Medical Rights of Santa Monica, Calif. The same California-based group, said Craig Brown of the Maine campaign, supplied ''90 percent plus'' of the funding for Mainers for Medical Rights over a two-year period. Brown said a trio of prominent contributors who have been active nationally in the same cause included George Soros, the internationally known investor. Since 1996, five states California, Oregon, Washington, Alaska and Arizona have passed medical marijuana initiatives. Voters in the District of Columbia also registered approval. In March, a panel of medical experts concluded in a report to the federal government that marijuana has medical benefits for people suffering from cancer and AIDS and should undergo scientific trials to see how it works best. Gov. Angus King came out against enactment, noting a conflict between the proposal and federal law and suggesting that for some proponents, the initiative would be ''a first step toward the ultimate legalization of marijuana.'' Elections officials have up to 20 days to tabulate the results and pass them on to King, who would have up to 10 days to proclaim the results. The legislation, if approved, would take effect 30 days thereafter. - --- MAP posted-by: Richard Lake