MAINE MEDICAL MARIJUANA TASK FORCE CONVENED

AUGUSTA, Maine - 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.