Medical marijuana patients, caregivers, health care providers, activists, and potential dispensary operators will gather at the University of Southern Maine for a conference to discuss challenges and opportunities presented by Maine’s new medical marijuana law. Confirmed speakers for the conference include: Dr. WENDY CHAPKIS, co- author of Dying to Get High: Marijuana as Medicine and Professor of Women’s Studies and Sociology at the University of Southern Maine DR. DUSTIN SULAK, D.O., who has lectured on medical marijuana, integrative medicine, and the endocanabanoid system to clinicians and patients throughout the country LYNNE WILLIAMS, attorney and Green Party candidate for Governor FAITH BENEDETTI, an artist, writer, Reiki Master Teacher, and long time advocate for the rights of HIV/AIDS patients who recently served on Governor Baldacci’s medical marijuana task force JONATHAN LEAVITT, Executive Director of the Maine Marijuana Policy Institute SEAN DONAHUE, a community herbalist who has written and spoken extensively on the healing powers of cannabis and other plants, and freelance journalist who has reported from the front lines of the drug wars in Bolivia and Colombia For more info and to register for the conference, see http://www.mainepatientsrights.org/conference.htm. If you are a qualified medical marijuana patient and you need help connecting with a caregiver who can help you maintain access to your medicine, we can help. Please e-mail us today at [email protected]. When you write please also give us the name and contact information for the physician who recommended medical marijuana to you. Legislative Update: The Governor’s Task Force on Medical Marijuana has completed its work, and legislation based on its recommendations will be introduced in the legislature within the next few weeks. Hearings on the bill could come as early as mid-March. Please watch for information on the details of the bill and the date and time of the public hearing. All Maine residents are entitled to offer testimony at legislative committee hearings on pending legislation.