King signs booster seat, medical marijuana bills

AUGUSTA – The stacks of bills being sent to Gov. Angus King are growing as the Legislature works toward completion of the 2002 session.

Among those signed into law are measures dealing with Maine’s medical marijuana law, child safety in cars, and the rights of some felons recovering from substance abuse to receive public assistance.

One bill makes changes to a medical marijuana law approved by Maine voters in 1999. It increases the amount of usable marijuana a patient may possess from 1.25 ounces to 2.5 ounces.

It also clarifies legal protections for patients and caregivers.

“This is significant because it is the first time that a state legislature has voted to expand legal protections for medical users of marijuana,” said Richard Schmitz of the Marijuana Policy Project in Washington.

Other states have sought to cut back protections and even undo voter-approved medical marijuana laws, Schmitz said. Maine is one of eight states with medical marijuana laws, according to the Washington-based group.

The governor signed a bill that will require children who weigh 40 to 80 pounds and are younger than 8 years old to be secured in booster seats. Boosters are designed to make children’s lap and shoulder belts fit better.

The bill also requires children under 12 or less than 100 pounds to sit in the rear seat of a car whenever possible.

Another bill signed by King provides that a person who is eligible to receive food stamps or to receive Temporary Assistance for Needy Families may not be denied public assistance because the person has been convicted of a drug-related felony.

Federal law denies assistance to such a person unless a state legislature allows exemptions.