Officials in Maine originally approved of banning medical marijuana from all Section 8 housing in the state, despite MMJ being legal under state law. Now the Maine State Housing Authority’s Board of Commissioners has decided to place a 6 month hold on that ban after patients and advocates explained the ramifications of such a policy for low-income patients.

The Housing and Urban Development agency in Washington D.C. oversees the Section 8 program nationwide, and as we know, marijuana is illegal in all forms under federal law. So obviously state officials are taking their cue from the feds, but thankfully decided to review the policy some more in light of the fact that they will be hurting sick people in their own state.

Hopefully they will decide against a ban at all after the six month hold. What sense does it make to punish lower income people who are sick for choosing a safer and less addictive alternative to prescription drugs? Should anyone have to choose between shelter and medicine in this day and age?

- Joe Klare

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