Maine becomes 5th state to allow pot dispensaries

November 6, 9:43 AMDallas Health ExaminerSteven Carter

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According to the Associated Press, November 5th — Maine has become the fifth state to allow dispensaries where marijuana can be distributed to medical patients.

But medical marijuana advocates say Maine won't become like Los Angeles, where hundreds of dispensaries have popped up and come under critical scrutiny.

Ethan Nadelmann of the New York-based Drug Policy Alliance says Maine's law has stricter provisions than California's. He says "Maine dispensaries will be licensed by the state, unlike those in California, and that Maine narrowly defines medical conditions for which patients can be prescribed pot, while California allows doctors to recommend it for virtually any ailment."

Nonetheless, the director of the Maine Drug Enforcement Agency opposed the move saying that the state lacks proper oversight and control.
 

Meanwhile the town council in Dillon, Maine, said, "No, thanks to having a dispensary." The town council said no to medical marijuana dispensaries within town limits — for now. Council members cited concerns about abuse, need and lack of state regulations as reasons for not moving forward on approving regulations in voting against an ordinance setting out guidelines for dispensaries in Dillon Tuesday.