Portland Sheriff Backs Maine
Medical Marijuana Initiative:
He Says He Wants ''a ceasefire so that we can treat the wounded in our society.''
2 Articles
(Marijuananews note: Although the initiative is
expected to win easily, as it has in other states where it has been opposed by the usual
suspects, the endorsement of the sheriff in the state’s most populous county will get
the attention of other politicians.) See
Wife Of Former Head
Of International Cocaine Smuggling Organization
-- and Mother of Former Cocaine User --
Opposes Maine Medical Marijuana Initiative.
and
Prohibitionists
Frustrated By Lack Of Organized Opposition To Maine Medical Marijuana Initiative
October 21, 1999
From The Associated Press
SHERIFF BACKS BALLOT QUESTION TO LEGALIZE SOME MARIJUANA USE
Portland, Maine - Cumberland County Sheriff Mark Dion endorsed a state referendum
proposal Thursday to allow the use of marijuana for specified medicinal purposes.
Dion, whose declaration was trumpeted by the organization pushing for passage of the
ballot proposal, said he had not turned his back on the war against
drugs. He said he wanted, instead, ''a ceasefire so that we can treat the wounded in our
society.'' Dion said his oath to uphold the law was matched by ''an equally important duty
to seek justice.''
(Marijuananews note: What a remarkable concept!)
Advocates of the proposal, which will be listed as Question 2 on the Nov. 2
ballot, say authorizing marijuana for specific medical conditions would protect patients
who 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.
(Marijuananews note: For more info on the Maine initiative see
Mainers for Medical Rights http://www.mainers.org/
Critics of the initiative challenge the medicinal value of privately obtained marijuana
with no standardized source or preparation, as well as at least some of the claims by
proponents that it would be beneficial in the cases outlined in the proposal.
Copyright: 1999 Associated Press
Sheriff Wants Pot Legalized
(Marijuananews note: Notice the headline on this ABC
NewsWire story. For years the prohibitionists have been saying that medical access to
marijuana would be the equivalent of "legalization." This rhetoric has now
become a part of the vocabulary of the prohibitionist and/or just-lazy media.
Consequently, now that a sheriff has endorsed medical
marijuana, they are reporting it under a headline that gives a much different impression.
If the sheriff wants marijuana legalized, then it must be alright for other politicians
and even newspaper editors, et al. Talk about "sending the wrong message" to
impressionable little minds. The kids can think for themselves, but editors are so easily
misled.)
From The ABC NewsWire on Yahoo
October 22, 1999
In a move that's shocked many voters, Cumberland County Sheriff Mark Dion says he
going to vote "yes" to legalize marijuana for medical use on November second,
and is urging others to do the same. Dion said yesterday that although he's under oath to
uphold the law, he personally believes that legalizing pot will prevent suffering in
patients who need it. The Maine Chiefs of Police Association took
the opposite stance earlier this week.
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