Madison - Don LaRouche was diagnosed with glaucoma six years ago. A year later he was given a doctor's recommendation for medical marijuana to treat his glaucoma, muscle spasms, and chronic pain. "I've had a fusion in my back. It's obviously getting worse, it's not going to get any better," LaRouche said. "I've been to a surgeon and those were his exact words; you're not going to get any better."

Maine has allowed prescribing, and limited possession, of medical marijuana since 1999. Maine voters overwhelmingly approved Miane's Medical Marijuana Act back in November of 2009, allowing the cultivation of medical marijuana under the close supervision of the Department of Health and Human Services.


For financial reasons LaRouche has been growing his own medicinal marijuana. "I can't afford to go to pay a caregiver or go to one of the dispensaries," LaRouche said from his Madison home.

Due to his various ailments, LaRouche is unable to work. He receives disability benefits, including rental housing assistance known as "Section 8." For the past five years, LaRouche says inspectors from Maine State Housing have had no problem with him growing and using his medical marijuana. "They came in and inspected it and they took pictures of my I.D. card. They would all say we have no problem with this, it's the Maine law. Maine State Housing Inspectors telling me this," he said.

But now Maine State Housing is singing a different tune. Recently, LaRouche received a letter telling him if he didn't stop growing his medical marijuana, which is legal under Maine law, he would lose his Section 8 housing benefit.

Officials at Maine State Housing said they cannot comment on any specific cases. But in a statement to TV 5, a spokesperson for the Maine State Housing Authority said:

"The U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development is clear that federal law preempts state law and does not allow Maine Housing to accept federally defined illegal drug users into the Section 8 voucher program even if state law allows medical marijuana."

In essence, Don LaRouche is being asked to choose between his medication and a roof over his head. LaRouche says he's afraid if he no longer can afford his medical marijuana, he'll be forced to take harder narcotics to manage his pain. "Then what do I do? Do I just sit in this chair and not be able to function? At least I can function."

In their statement, the spokesperson for Maine State Housing says the decision to terminate people like Don LaRouche from the Section 8 voucher program was made at the state level, not the federal level.

"While initial applications must be denied when there is evidence of illegal drug use, Maine Housing is given more discretion when it comes to current voucher holders who subsequently are approved to use medical marijuana. Maine Housing is not required to terminate them from the program, nor is it barred from taking such action.

When it comes to the cultivation of medical marijuana, Maine Housing lacks the expertise to determine whether any amount being grown is legally permissible. We would need to call law enforcement on each case. Alternatives such as dispensaries are available for medical marijuana users."

Dispensaries are an option, but an option Don LaRouche says he simply can't afford. "If I could afford to go to a dispensary, I wouldn't need help paying the rent," he said.

LaRouche began writing letters to the like of Governor LePage, Senators Snowe and Collins, and his state lawmaker, Madison Republican Phil Curtis asking for help. "I thought people cared," LaRouche said. "I thought our governor did. I thought those people that were in the State House down there cared. That's what they're there for. They're supposed to care for us, not be there for them. I don't know what to do. I'm begging for help. I'm begging for it."

Just when LaRouche thought all hope was lost, one state lawmaker stepped up to help. Chelsea Republican Deb Sanderson heard of LaRouche's plight and met with officials from Maine State Housing Authority Wednesday.

Initially LaRouche had until July 23 to sign a statement saying he will no longer grow his medical marijuana, or forfeit his housing subsidy. After Sanderson's meeting with Maine State Housing officials, the deadline has been extended 30 days. At which time there will be another meeting with Sanderson, Acting Director of Maine State Housing Peter Merrill, and Alysia Melnick of the ACLU of Maine.

LaRouche is hoping the folks at the Maine State Housing Auhority will have a change of heart. Only time will tell.

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