AUGUSTA, Maine (AP) - A 13-year-old medical marijuana advocate who moved from Connecticut to Maine so she could access cannabis to treat a rare form of epilepsy has died.

Two medical marijuana advocacy groups say Cyndimae Meehan died Sunday in her family's Augusta home. She had a severe form of epilepsy known as Dravet syndrome.

Her mother moved her to Maine to access medical marijuana after failed attempts to treat the girl's frequent seizures using federally approved drugs. Connecticut doesn't allow pediatric medical marijuana use.

A family friend and medical marijuana advocate says Cyndimae regained her strength and stopped using a wheelchair once she began taking cannabis oil. The family became medical marijuana advocates, often testifying on state medical marijuana bills.

The family is planning a funeral in Connecticut.

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(AP) - Chief Justice Leigh Saufley says Maine's growing heroin and opiate crisis requires sweeping changes to Maine's criminal justice system. Saufley, in her annual address to the Legislature, warned on Wednesday that the "relentless influx" of new criminal cases could overwhelm the court system. She said the number of sentences for serious drug crimes jumped from 1,300 in 2013 to nearly 1,800 in 2015. Saufley said the courts need more sentencing options, and the state needs more programs for addicts, both before they are charged with a crime and after they leave prison. She also called for more drug treatment housing for youths and adults. She said addicts who leave prison also need more treatment housing options.

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Every day, an average of more than 80 Americans die from opioid overdoses. The number of Maine residents seeking treatment for opiate abuse has tripled since 2010, and the number of babies born affected by prenatal exposure to drugs or alcohol increased by 68 percent between 2010 and 2014.

The National Council of Jewish Women is hosting a panel discussion on this subject from 6 to 8 p.m. Feb. 23 at the Falmouth Public Library, 5 Lunt Road.

The event will be open to the public, and featured guests will be Portland Police Chief Michael Sauschuck; Oliver Bradeen, the Portland Police Department's substance abuse disorder liaison; and the Rev. Alice Hildebrand, head of the bereavement team at Maine Medical Center.

For more information, call 781-2351.

Patty Weber

Falmouth

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I was watching the news last night with my son. One segment in particular that struck a nerve with me was the debate on the legalization of marijuana. They had several individuals speaking on how they've acquired over 100,000 signatures on petitions backing a statewide vote on legalization.

This referendum may actually pass, making this now-illegal and dangerous drug available to everyone. What is troubling to me is the effort everyone seems to be putting forward for a "high."

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Waterville and Vassalboro school boards also will vote on the policy to allow a caregiver to administer medical marijuana to students at school.

Winslow, Waterville and Vassalboro schools are enacting policies to allow students to use medical marijuana in school as districts across the state move to comply with a state law passed last year that allows the practice.

The Winslow School Board on Monday voted to approve a policy that allows a parent or legal guardian considered a primary caregiver under Maine's medical marijuana laws to administer marijuana on school grounds to a student certified to use the drug.

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