Ralph Holt
RFD #1
Cornville, Maine 04976

December 8, 1997

Open letter to AMR:

My response to AMR's initiative in the State of Maine and other States, is that I can only find their motive questionable.  Myself, along with many others have been working on getting an acceptable medical marijuana bill passed in Maine, for many years now, and we have been successful in getting Legislature to back us twice, only to have the bill vetoed by then Gov. McKernan, and later one killed in the House.

I am a glaucoma patient and know from a personal experience that AMR's bill would not be suitable for all medical marijuana users.  Some illnesses can be relieved with lower potency marijuana, such as the leaves of the plant, while others such as glaucoma, can only be controlled with high potency, flowering tops of the plant, because of the THC content.  My belief is that AMR's intent is a good one, but I do not think, on a broad spectrum, that their initiative will suffice what American citizens must have for a medical marijuana law.

After reviewing the information I have seen, I believe that the original bill proposed in Maine is the one most suitable for all patients.

I do not foresee a person being able to grow six plants and maintaining a steady supply of medication, without breaking the law under AMR's proposal.  I do not think it would be prudent to pass a medical bill that would not cover the needs of all patients, to leave an open door
for some to be prosecuted for trying to obtain their safest, most effective, medication they need.

I believe that current policy on selling or furnishing marijuana are suitable for settling any worries of medical marijuana ending up in the wrong hands.  It would be redundant for a medical user to sell or give away their medication only to end up going to the black market for the medicine they need, that may not be of the adequate potency or could be laced with chemicals.

The federal government currently supplies approximately 10 grams daily for controlling IOP (Inter Occular Pressure) of glaucoma, for their "accepted" patients in the now defunct  "Compassionate" IND (medical marijuana) Program.  I don't know what the allowance amount is for other illnesses.  1 1/4 ounces of "usable marijuana" limits will not work, as it is only a 3 day supply, even by government standards. AMR’s initiative message may be well intended, but is actually unworkable for the patients who are the beneficiaries of this legislation.

Ralph Holt
Medical Patient - Glaucoma

Maine Citizens for Medical Marijuana
PO Box 189
Anson, Maine 04911
Phone: 207-696-8167
E-mail: mevocals@somtel.com

Donations are encouraged!!!!