Information

Mission
Donate
Join our Temple
Contact the Temple

Public Information

Divine Law
Voluntary Reporting
Temple Ordination
Drug Abuse Mentoring
Compassionate Care Giver
Spiritual Religious Use

Legal Information

Religious Freedom
State & US Laws
Maine Medical Marijuana
International Laws
Court Case Studies
Religious Persecution
Religious Use Lawyers
 

February 23rd Visit to the Bangor City Council

Speech written and given by Rev. Kevin A. Loring

Good evening and thank you for your time,

It is in the spirit of compassion that we once again appear before the Mayor and City Council. Today I ask again for your help and try to clarify the proposal through which we seek to relieve the suffering of the Maine people.

For 10 years Maine has had medicinal cannabis laws. Medicinal cannabis is perfectly legal under Maine law. In Dec. of last year, our state enjoyed maybe it's first affirmative defense of medicinal use. Don Christen was thankfully found not guilty of cultivation and distribution because his intents were legal under Maine law. Even Kennebec and Somerset County District Attorney Evert Fowle agrees that more needs to be done to protect the patients.

Since the last time I approached this council, The Temple has partnered with many associations across the United States. We are now directly affiliated with the Cannabis Protection Union, a member of the ACLU is a large and growing nationwide organization of lawyers, advocates and patients. The Temple is also partnered with Americans for Safe Access, a coalition of doctors, nurses and patients. The Temple has partnered with over a dozen Churches nationwide including Rastafarians, Coptics, Christians, Baptists and others. We have also asked for the help of the Maine Civil Liberties Union and American Civil Liberties Union. We even have the support of a small handful of Maine's state level politicians.

It is estimated that 80 million Americans use cannabis in some form. Doctors are protected from prosecution for prescribing or recommending cannabis as a therapy. The Supreme Court recognizes that State marijuana laws are not superceded by Federal laws. Even the Administrative Law Judge for the DEA stated that cannabis is one of the safest therapeutic substances known to man. Our current President has also recently stated that Federal resources should not be used to circumvent state law.

We are not alone and we are growing steadily. Under current Maine law all that is needed to become a patient is a simple note from your doctor and you can grow at home. For those too sick, or do not have the knowledge to safely produce their own supply, a legal caregiver must be appointed. The Temple wishes to become that caregiver. This means medicinal recipients would already be pre-approved by the Temple and receive a set amount each week. This is not a delivery service. This would be a set dispensary point, preferably at the Civic Center, Police Station, City Hall or maybe even Miller's Drug Store which already has the security to handle narcotics. Overseen and regulated so that the patients are protected and receive the compassion they deserve and are legally allowed under State Law.

We have concerns over Police involvement from many members of the community. This may be the last time will ask for their help and input. Chief Gastia sits on the Methadone Committee. But drugs are sold every day at each of the Methadone Clinics. You would have to look no further than the parking lots or the gazebo at Acadia to see these transactions and the Police seem impotent to do anything about curbing this trend.

Because of this trend, we do not support having a pot shop or other permanent cannabis dispensary in Bangor. In California, such dispensaries have lead to a rise in local traffic,  crime and are a nuisance to local residents. For-Profit Dispensaries seek only to profit from the pain of sick people. A temporary site, such as we are proposing, is a much safer and a more responsible alternative. This follows the gold star standard set forth by the Women's and Men's Alliance for Medicinal Marijuana or WAMM. Volunteers, many of whom are patients themselves work together to grow and prepare their medicines.

The Temple has several experts in the field of cannabis cultivation and medicinal preparation. These skills are vital to properly creating safe medicines. Not all medicinal marijuana is smoked, in fact much of it is made into teas, tinctures, oils and capsules. Vaporizer technology eliminates much of the danger associated with smoking cannabis and has shown great potential in reducing harm to the patient. It is incredibly hard to grow medicinal cannabis safely. Many fertilizers and even soils can make the patient more ill. Which is why having experts as caregivers is a great idea. We wouldn't ask a nurse to know how to grow corn, We wouldn't ask a farmer to inject medicine. We must use the right people for the job, each with their own tools and knowledge working together for the benefit of the patient.

I ask you again for your support. This idea has merit, no matter what group does it. Let Bangor be a role model in providing this medication responsibly and safely. Let Bangor lead by example and show true compassion where it is desperately needed.  I would like a letter of support from each of you. You need not support me or the Temple, just the idea. This idea has real merit. This idea will help the sick and profit no one. This idea will save lives.

Thank you.