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We ‘can do better’ than Question 5
On its face, Question 5 — concerning medical marijuana – sounds like a good idea. But people should read the entire bill before giving their support. The bad of this initiative outweighs the good.
The list of illnesses treatable with medical marijuana would be expanded, and that’s good. After that, things start going downhill.
The program will be run by the Department of Human Services — the same department that’ll take your children away if you smoke marijuana without a prescription.
DHS is to maintain a confidential list of those who get medical marijuana ID cards. These ID cards will contain name, address, date of birth, date of issue/expiration, a unique ID number and photo. You don’t need an ID card if you use other drugs, do you? It’s none of the state’s business there, and it shouldn’t be for medical marijuana.
Dispensaries may be established, but will need to pay a yearly $5,000 fee to DHS. They may also have to get permission from their county and town and pay whatever fees imposed there. It’s conceivable that the combined fees could add up to $6,000-$10,000.
Patients may not be denied custody or visitation of a minor — unless their use of medical marijuana creates a danger to the minor. Who decides that? Why, the DHS, of course.
Patients who use marijuana are presumed to be treating a condition. However, a police officer or DHS worker could say the patient was recreating, not medicating, and this would land the patient in legal difficulties.
If a patient with an ID card happens to move and doesn’t inform DHS within 10 days of the change in address, the patient has committed a civil violation and can be fined $150. The list goes on and can be verified by reading the bill.
Much of this came from legislation in other states, and the group pushing it here in Maine didn’t bother to improve it at all. We can do better. I urge you to vote no on Question 5.
— Bob Christen
Norridgewock, ME
