Medical Marijuana: "Yes" or "No" on Question 3?

In November, Massachusetts voters will decide whether or not to allow the medical use of marijuana in the state.

In Question 3 on the ballot, a "yes" vote would allow medical marijuana and a "no" vote would maintain the state's current laws, which don't allow for the medical use of marijuana.

Battle lines are already being drawn. Those who support the measure include The Committee for Compassionate Medicine and, to a degree, Senate Candidate Elizabeth Warren.

Those opposed to the measure include the Massachusetts Chiefs of Police Association and the Massachusetts Medical Society.

For an interesting discussion on the matter, listen to WBUR's "Radio Boston," which addressed the issue on Sept. 25.

According to a guide to ballot questions published by the Massachusetts Secretary of State's office, Question 3 would do the following:

• Eliminate criminal and civil penalties for medical marijuana
• Require that qualifying patients must have serious debilitating medical conditions, such as AIDS or cancer
• Allow qualifying patients to possess a 60-day supply of medical marijuana
• Allow 35 non-profit "marijuana treatment centers" across the state, with at least 1 and up to 5 in each county
• Allow certain qualifying patients to grow marijuana for medical use
• Establish penalties for fraudulent use of a medial marijuana, including up to five years in jail

Supporters of Question 3 say it would help ease the suffering of patients with severe medical conditions and that medical marijuana would be tightly restricted by the state.

Opponents point to other states that allow medical marijuana, such as California, and say people abuse the system and use marijuana for non-medical reasons.

About 59 percent of Massachusetts residents supported Question 3 in a recent poll.

Where do you stand? Will you be voting yes or no on Question 3, and why?