[act-ma] Press release for PUBLIC FORUM KICK-OFFS MEDICAL MARIJUANA WEEKEND IN PORTLAND

[Roger Leisner]

PRESS RELEASE

November 2, 2012
Contact: Roger Leisner, 207-242-0643

                          PUBLIC FORUM KICK-OFFS MEDICAL MARIJUANA WEEKEND IN PORTLAND


Portland, ME - A public forum designed to answer questions about Maine's medical marijuana program will be held at the Meg Perry Center, 644 Congress Street in Portland on Friday, November 9th at 6:30 PM.  Taking place the night before Homegrown Maine 2012, New England's largest Medical Marijuana Trade Show and Expo at Holiday Inn By the Bay in Portland, this free public forum will provide an opportunity for patients, caregivers, health providers and growers to explain the changes in the law and the policies of prescribing, growing and using medical marijuana in Maine, plus answer questions from the public.

Dave Wilkinson, director of the film on medical marijuana in Maine,“Science vs. Stigma”, will briefly discuss the purpose of the forum and introduce the speakers.  Speakers include John Thiele, former "patient friendly" manager of the Maine Medical Use of Marijuana program, Rep Mark Dion, State Representative and former Cumberland County Sheriff, Catherine Lewis, Caregiver and Legislative Committee member, Michele Day, Maine Green Cross Director of Patient Services and Dr. Dustin Sulak, Medical Marijuana Advocate and Osteopathic Physician.  Following presentations by the speakers, the public will be given the opportunity to ask questions and/or make short comments.

Maine has allowed prescribing and limited possession of medical marijuana since 1999.  On November 3, 2009 Maine voters approved Question 5, which enacted the citizen-initiated bill, "An act to establish the Maine Medical Marijuana Act".  Maine was the fifth state to allow medical grade marijuana for persons with debilitating and chronic medical conditions.  Under LD 1296, “An Act to Amend the Maine Medical Use of Marijuana Act To Protect Patient Privacy,” which was signed on June 24, 2012 by Governor LePage, medical marijuana patients no longer have to register with the state to use the drug legally, plus there have been other changes affecting patients, growers, caregivers and physicians.


Science vs. Stigma Forum


Sponsored by
Medical Marijuana Caregivers of Maine
Radio Free Maine/The Maine Paparazzi
Maine Green Cross
Maine Integrative Healthcare
Maine Peace Works

6:30 PM
Friday, November 9
Meg Perry Center644 Congress Street
Portland, Maine

Doors open at 6:15 PM - Free to the public

6:30  Dave Wilkinson, director of Science vs. Stigma, will briefly discuss the purpose of the forum and introduce the speakers.

6:45  John Thiele, former "patient friendly" manager of the Maine Medical Use of Marijuana program.

7:00  Rep Mark Dion, State Representative and former Cumberland County Sheriff.

7:15  Catherine Lewis, Caregiver and Legislative Committee member.

7:25  Michele Day, Maine Green Cross Director of Patient Services.Michele Day


7:35  Dr. Dustin Sulak, Medical Marijuana Advocate and Physician.

7:55  Question and Answer Period.

                                                                            # # #
 
Roger Leisner
The Maine Paparazzi
Radio Free
 Maine
P.O. Box 2705
Augusta, Maine 04338
207-242-0643
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