Organizers behind a nonprofit entity looking to grow and dispense medical marijuana out of a locally based clinic cleared a substantial hurdle Saturday when town meeting voters shot down a proposed moratorium that would have allowed elected Eliot officials more time to study the issue before permitting such activities within the town.
Substantial debate over the topic preceded a simple hand vote that saw the proposed moratorium failing to pass muster, with some voters saying they didn't want to support a temporary ban that seemed too open-ended, with one resident arguing it would let selectmen study the issue "in perpetuity."
About 100 Town Meeting voters gathered at Marshwood Middle School on Saturday to vote on 40-plus warrant articles dealing with everything from proposed zoning ordinance changes to budgetary items for the 2010-2011 fiscal year.
Among the most heavily debated and discussed item on the warrant was the proposed moratorium, which represented a reaction to "inquiries" on the part of those looking to establish a medical marijuana dispensary in Eliot.
The proposed moratorium article noted the Maine Department of Health and Human Services has indicated it plans to approve a medical marijuana dispensary in York County by July 9 as part of a Maine Medical Marijuana Act passed in November of 2009.
Maine DHHS data indicates a nonprofit dispensary operator will be allowed to open up such facilities in eight districts in Maine.
Eliot officials proposed a moratorium to allow for more time for municipal leaders to establish regulations and determine the potential impacts of having such a facility in the community.
It stated: "The Town anticipates that such a study and review and development of regulation will take at least six months from the effective date of this Moratorium."
The approval of such a ban would have been a blow to the "Green ReliefMD" organization, which is eyeing a Route 236 property as a possible location for a dispensary clinic it hopes the Maine DHHS will approve.
Green Relief Executive Director Ron Fousek said his organization has been searching for a place to locate a dispensary in the York County district with the deadline for their DHHS application rapidly approaching at the end of the month.
Fousek said towns like Sanford, Kittery, Biddeford, North Berwick and York already have approved moratoriums preventing them from being viable locations in the upcoming application process.
GreenRelief is made up of a number of practitioners who will be looking to grow medical marijuana in a secure indoor facility and allow those with appropriate prescriptions to come pick it up. Fousek said his organization would hand out the medical marijuana to those with proper prescription cards with the recipients receiving a "trip ticket" that allows them to legally take it from the facility to their homes.
Fousek addressed Eliot voters on Saturday, arguing the medicinal benefits of the drug for those suffering with chronic illness.
He balked at talked that the introduction of such a facility would lead to increased crime, noting hundreds of studies have proven it as an effective drug for the treatment of everything from chronic illness to addictions to more serious drugs.
"More is known about this plant than any other in the world," Fousek said.
Eric Friberg – another practitioner from GreenRelief and Gulf War veteran who has used marijuana for medical purposes – noted the dispensary will not be a place were drugs are dealt to anyone who wants marijuana.
"We are going to be heavily regulated ... give us a chance," Friberg said.
Brian Enger – another practitioner – told the voters they have little to worry about.
"We are not here to be pot dealers," Enger said.
Some Eliot residents expressed concerns that Maine laws regulating dispensary operators allow for a 24-hour window before they come in and check that they are operating correctly and growing within the set guidelines spelled out by the law.
"I'm very concerned about the public safety aspects," said State Rep. Sarah "Sally" Lewin of Eliot.
Eliot Police Chief Theodor Short didn't express any overarching concerns about such a facility coming to town, but did note his department is looking at how other communities have handled such facilities.
He said it isn't for his department to decide whether a moratorium was needed.
Others expressed support for such clinics.
Janice Cerabona – a local voter – was nearly in tears when she recalled her daughter's pain as she struggled with diabetes complications that took her life in 2005.
"Conventional medicine could not help her," Cerabona said.
Others opposed the proposed moratorium simply because its wording didn't prescribe a set amount of time for the town leaders to review the issue.
Budget Committee Chair John Reed said the proposed moratorium appeared to amount to a "not in my backyard" response to Maine's approval of such dispensaries.
He said the moratorium as proposed would allow the study to take place of an "infinite" amount of time.
Residents eventually voted against the moratorium.
Fousek said the vote will let his organization at least apply to open a dispensary in Eliot.
He said the group is looking to open their clinic in a building on a property near the junction of routes 236 and 101.
NewsHawk: Ganjarden: 420 MAGAZINE
Source: Fosters.com
Author: Geoff Cunningham Jr.
Contact: Fosters.com
Copyright: 2010 Geo. J. Foster Company
Website: Eliot voters shoot down moratorium on medical marijuana
* Thanks to MedicalNeed for submitting this article
Substantial debate over the topic preceded a simple hand vote that saw the proposed moratorium failing to pass muster, with some voters saying they didn't want to support a temporary ban that seemed too open-ended, with one resident arguing it would let selectmen study the issue "in perpetuity."
About 100 Town Meeting voters gathered at Marshwood Middle School on Saturday to vote on 40-plus warrant articles dealing with everything from proposed zoning ordinance changes to budgetary items for the 2010-2011 fiscal year.
Among the most heavily debated and discussed item on the warrant was the proposed moratorium, which represented a reaction to "inquiries" on the part of those looking to establish a medical marijuana dispensary in Eliot.
The proposed moratorium article noted the Maine Department of Health and Human Services has indicated it plans to approve a medical marijuana dispensary in York County by July 9 as part of a Maine Medical Marijuana Act passed in November of 2009.
Maine DHHS data indicates a nonprofit dispensary operator will be allowed to open up such facilities in eight districts in Maine.
Eliot officials proposed a moratorium to allow for more time for municipal leaders to establish regulations and determine the potential impacts of having such a facility in the community.
It stated: "The Town anticipates that such a study and review and development of regulation will take at least six months from the effective date of this Moratorium."
The approval of such a ban would have been a blow to the "Green ReliefMD" organization, which is eyeing a Route 236 property as a possible location for a dispensary clinic it hopes the Maine DHHS will approve.
Green Relief Executive Director Ron Fousek said his organization has been searching for a place to locate a dispensary in the York County district with the deadline for their DHHS application rapidly approaching at the end of the month.
Fousek said towns like Sanford, Kittery, Biddeford, North Berwick and York already have approved moratoriums preventing them from being viable locations in the upcoming application process.
GreenRelief is made up of a number of practitioners who will be looking to grow medical marijuana in a secure indoor facility and allow those with appropriate prescriptions to come pick it up. Fousek said his organization would hand out the medical marijuana to those with proper prescription cards with the recipients receiving a "trip ticket" that allows them to legally take it from the facility to their homes.
Fousek addressed Eliot voters on Saturday, arguing the medicinal benefits of the drug for those suffering with chronic illness.
He balked at talked that the introduction of such a facility would lead to increased crime, noting hundreds of studies have proven it as an effective drug for the treatment of everything from chronic illness to addictions to more serious drugs.
"More is known about this plant than any other in the world," Fousek said.
Eric Friberg – another practitioner from GreenRelief and Gulf War veteran who has used marijuana for medical purposes – noted the dispensary will not be a place were drugs are dealt to anyone who wants marijuana.
"We are going to be heavily regulated ... give us a chance," Friberg said.
Brian Enger – another practitioner – told the voters they have little to worry about.
"We are not here to be pot dealers," Enger said.
Some Eliot residents expressed concerns that Maine laws regulating dispensary operators allow for a 24-hour window before they come in and check that they are operating correctly and growing within the set guidelines spelled out by the law.
"I'm very concerned about the public safety aspects," said State Rep. Sarah "Sally" Lewin of Eliot.
Eliot Police Chief Theodor Short didn't express any overarching concerns about such a facility coming to town, but did note his department is looking at how other communities have handled such facilities.
He said it isn't for his department to decide whether a moratorium was needed.
Others expressed support for such clinics.
Janice Cerabona – a local voter – was nearly in tears when she recalled her daughter's pain as she struggled with diabetes complications that took her life in 2005.
"Conventional medicine could not help her," Cerabona said.
Others opposed the proposed moratorium simply because its wording didn't prescribe a set amount of time for the town leaders to review the issue.
Budget Committee Chair John Reed said the proposed moratorium appeared to amount to a "not in my backyard" response to Maine's approval of such dispensaries.
He said the moratorium as proposed would allow the study to take place of an "infinite" amount of time.
Residents eventually voted against the moratorium.
Fousek said the vote will let his organization at least apply to open a dispensary in Eliot.
He said the group is looking to open their clinic in a building on a property near the junction of routes 236 and 101.
NewsHawk: Ganjarden: 420 MAGAZINE
Source: Fosters.com
Author: Geoff Cunningham Jr.
Contact: Fosters.com
Copyright: 2010 Geo. J. Foster Company
Website: Eliot voters shoot down moratorium on medical marijuana
* Thanks to MedicalNeed for submitting this article
