cannabisnews.com: Medical Marijuana Task Force Convened 





Medical Marijuana Task Force Convened 
Posted by FoM on May 09, 2000 at 08:26:32 PT
By Associated Press
Source: Boston Globe
Maine's attorney general has appointed the task force that will figure out how to implement Maine's medical marijuana law. The task force is required by the law passed by Maine voters in November, allowing the use of marijuana for the treatment of some medical conditions if the patient is given a prescription. 
The task force has a number of thorny issues to address. One is ensuring the quality of confiscated marijuana, and making sure it's safe for patients to use. ''We have to make sure the product is pure and harmless,'' said state Rep. Thomas Shields, R-Auburn, a retired medical doctor serving on the task force. ''The stuff they confiscate, you don't know what contaminants are in there. It's got to be done properly and under strict controls.'' He said the task force also needs to consider the possibility that marijuana use ''can open the door to diseases, especially to people whose immune system is vulnerable.'' There could also be problems because marijuana possession is illegal under federal law, no matter what state law says. Gordon Smith of the Maine Medical Association has said few doctors will recommend that their patients use an illegal narcotic. The 24-member task force including doctors, lawyers, prosecutors and legislators was scheduled to meet for the first time at 10 a.m. today in Augusta. Attorney General Andrew Ketterer said the committee's work will be completed by Oct. 1 in time for a report to next year's Legislature. Augusta, Maine (AP)Published: May 9, 2000© Copyright 2000 Boston Globe Electronic Publishing, Inc. Related Article:Maine Panel To Sort Out Medical-Marijuana Law http://www.cannabisnews.com/news/thread5663.shtmlCannabisNews Articles, Archives On Medical Marijuana & Maine: http://www.cannabisnews.com/news/list/medical.shtmlhttp://alltheweb.com/cgi-bin/search?type=all&query=cannabisnews+mainehttp://alltheweb.com/cgi-bin/search?type=all&query=cannabisnews+medical 
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