Maine: New England’s Marijuana-Friendly State
Posted by CN Staff on May 04, 2009 at 09:09:04 PT
By Allen St. Pierre
Source: Exception Magazine

Maine -- In 1999, 61 percent of Maine voters passed Question 2, which sought to protect qualified patients who used cannabis medically under the guidance of their physician.

To date, a dozen other states (HI, AK, WA, OR, CA, NV, NM, CO, MT, MI, RI and VT) have enacted similar laws. However, only in Maine are patients without the guidance of a state registry.

A recent attempt to pass amending legislation failed to advance in the recent legislative session that would have allowed authorized patients to be issued state-issued identification cards notifying law enforcement officials of their legal status. This is a common-sense measure that would save law enforcement officials time and effort, and likely reduce potential abuse under the law.

Further, the legislation sought to issue guidelines for the distribution of medicinal cannabis by state-approved non-profit entities. Other states, like New Mexico, have approved similar regulations, and recently U.S. Attorney General Eric Holder pledged that such facilities would not be targeted by federal law enforcement.

As introduced, the proposal sought to amend the state's decade-old medical cannabis law by establishing a confidential patient registry and allowing for state-licensed nonprofit dispensaries to assist in the distribution of medical cannabis to qualified patients.

Because of the legislative punt on LD 975, voters in Maine will have an opportunity to vote on a similarly worded initiative this fall.

Also, with little to no prodding from advocacy groups like NORML, the Maine legislature recently passed an amendment to the state’s nearly 30-year old cannabis ‘decriminalization’ laws for possession (LD 250).

As approved by the legislature, possession of over 1.25 ounces but less than two and one-half ounces of marijuana will also be defined as a civil offense, punishable by a fine of $700 to $1,000 dollars.

(Civil fines for the possession of less than 1.25 ounces of marijuana will remain the same at $350-$600.)

The measure also removes the inference that possession of quantities of marijuana above 1.25 ounces but less than 2.5 ounces are presumed to be for sale.

The proposal awaits action by Governor John Baldacci.

Are these cannabis reforms in Maine necessarily bold or aberrational? Hardly.

Thirteen states, including Maine, reflecting over one-third of the US population, have inconsequentially had cannabis decriminalization laws on the books since the 1970s. Some decriminalized states, such as Ohio, adult cannabis consumers can possess up to 3.5 ounces of cannabis; Alaskan adults who possess one ounce or below of cannabis face no penalty what so ever and zero fine.

Further, in states with medical cannabis patient protection laws, such as California and Colorado, patients in compliance with state laws can lawfully access their medical cannabis products from twenty-four seven vending machines. From a New England perspective, Rhode Island is poised to be the next state to provide medical cannabis patients genuine access to cannabis products via state-run or certified non-profit organizations.

In the minds of many in Maine, and nationwide, by reforming cannabis laws, Maine in fact represents the ‘way life should be’.

For information about Maine’s medical cannabis initiative, contact Maine Citizens for Patients Rights, 207-333-6985:
info@mainecommonsense.org or NORML toll-free in Washington, D.C. at 888-67-NORML: Marijuana Law Reform - NORML

Allen St. Pierre, a native of Maine, is the executive director of the National Organization for the Reform of Marijuana Laws (NORML) in Washington, D.C.

Source: Exception Magazine (ME)
Author: Allen St. Pierre
Published: May 04, 2009
Copyright: 2009 Liberalati LLC
Website: The Exception Magazine | Maine's online news organization
URL: Maine: New England’s Marijuana-Friendly State | The Exception Magazine

I can vouch for that.

“HARRY’S HOE DOWN” LAUNCHES FESTIVAL SEASON IN STARKS, JUNE 19-21
Festival Brings a New Twist to a 19 Year Tradition at Harry Brown’s Farm

STARKS, ME -- For nineteen years Harry Brown has hosted festivals on his land celebrating in his belief in “the right of free people to assemble freely.” In less then two weeks, at Harry’s Hoe Down, that vision will find new life as the hill comes to life with vibrant and diverse music, giant puppets, circus performers, fire twirlers, and dancers.
Jonathan Leavitt of Cow Pasture Productions explains:

“Harry and his fami
ly felt it was time to make a fresh start with a group that shared their vision for the land, shared a commitment to ending marijuana prohibition, and for using the festivals as a place for people of all ages to enjoy liberated space while fully engaging their minds, bodies, hearts,=2
0and consciousness.”



The musical line-up reaches beyond the usual fare of jam bands and reggae to include artists such as:



· CB-3, live Afro Dub that blends modern and ancient sounds, fronted by internationally known Zimbabwean musician Chris Berry on vocals, mbira and percussion joined by members of the Internationally known Brazilian Girls and by Bino, a South African prodigy who made his own guitar from an oil can at the age of 4 and began performing at the age of 12 when he was discovered by South African guitar legend Louis Mhlanga.



· The Brew, an innovative quartet that has developed a large and devoted following with their infectious grooves rooted in
classic rock and seasoned with prog, jazz, reggae, world beat, indie, funk and orchestral pop influences.



· Hot Day at the Zoo, rising stars in the roots music revival, a 4-piece string band that delivers foot-stomping down home jams guaranteed to get everyone dancing.



· Inanna, Sisters in Rhythm, a percussion and vocal ensemble that explores the heritage and rhythms of West Af
rica, through original arrangements and compositions invoking ancient traditions of the drum.



· Jen Kearney and the Lost Onion, who blend jazz, rock and roul, soul, reggae, samba, and Afro-Cuban influences with powerful vocals, keyboards, percussion, and horns.



· Re-Up, flowing between hard hitting hip hop, soulful melodies, and booty-shaking grooves.



·
; The Scallywags, a roving band of pirates bringing songs and stories of ghost ships and revolutionaries in a mad blend of eighteenth century sea chanteys and twenty-first century chaos magic.



Other musical acts include Roots Nation Reggae, the Stoned Mountain Boyz, Bajaly Suso, Lamine Toure and Group Saloum, Raising the Sun, Unit 7, State Your Mind, Jordan Kaulbach, Lazloo, and many more TBA



But the festivals will feature more than just music. Other performances will include:



· Trash Into Art, a community collective founded by multi-media performance artist Rijah Newll that uses giant puppets in energetic street theater pieces that promote environmental awareness.



· One World Puppetry, bringing mystical creatures to life to enchant people of all ages.



· RESISTDANCE, a dance troupe whose original performances help us connect with our history, our hopes, our collective responsibility, our pain, our joy,
and challenges us to create something different in a world that stands on the brink.



· STARMA Circus, a troupe of clowns, jugglers, and acrobats bringing circus arts to the stage and b
eyond.



· The Old Time Pagan Revival where ritual meets theater in an ecstatic celebration of the sacredness of the Earth and the divine within everyone.



· Yoga, arts and crafts, puppet making, and other activities to engage and expand kids’ imaginations all taking place in Seussland.



· The brilliant and bizarre poetry and performance ar
t of the event’s inimitable and indescribable Master of Ceremonies, Da Butcha.



· Late Night in Seussland, light shows and otherworldly music to send you into waking dreams after the day’s performances are done hosted by PimpGod performing as DJ SlikPapaRuff, with Dj Siga, V1rus, DJ Maine Event, Uncommon Courtesy, DJ SpinSyck, Joni the Rapper

Plus...light stick poi, fire poi, creative dancers and much more.





The festival kicks off a season of events that include the Be Here Now Festival from August 14-16, and Harry’s Harvest Ball, October 2-4, all in the same spirit, each with its own unique flavor. They are being produced by the same group of organizers that gathered 80,000 signatures in a successful campaign to place an initiative on the ballot in Maine this No
vember that would provide qualified patients with safe and reliable access to medical marijuana.



“With the help of Harry Brown and his family and our talented line up of performers, we are creating something entirely new,” Leavitt says, “People will be entertained and have a great time, and they will also have their imaginations stretched. We hope everyone will walk away with a new sense of what’s really possible.”



For more information, please visit us at Untitled Document and Maine Marijuana Policy Initiative - Home or call 207-333-6985.