Pubdate: Wed, 03 Nov 1999 Source: USA Today (US) Copyright: 1999 USA TODAY, a division of Gannett Co. Inc. Contact: 1000 Wilson Blvd., Arlington VA 22229 Fax: (703) 247-3108 Website: http://www.usatoday.com/news/nfront.htm Cited: Mainers for Medical Rights: http://www.mainers.org/ MAINE APPROVES USE OF MEDICAL MARIJUANA PORTLAND, Maine - Voters in Maine have approved the use of marijuana in treating certain medical ailments. 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. - --- MAP posted-by: Richard Lake