From all the media attention surrounding same-sex marriage and the Taxpayers Bill of Rights referendum campaigns, you might think that they are the only measures on the ballot.

But there are seven questions facing voters, each worth examining closely before filling out a ballot on Nov. 3.

We have already weighed in on Questions 1 through 4. These are our endorsements for the questions at the bottom of the ballot:

Question 5: An Act to Establish the Maine Medical Marijuana Act "Do you want to change the medical marijuana laws to allow treatment of more medical conditions and to create a regulated system of distribution?"

We recommend a "no" vote on this measure.

Medical marijuana poses a series of difficult legal and ethical questions. The medical and law enforcement communities are opposed to its use, while some patients swear that it helps them.

And while Maine and other states have legalized medical marijuana through citizen-initiated referendums, having it and selling it remain a violation of federal law.

The measure before Maine voters would create a system of dispensaries to distribute medical marijuana and extend the number of illnesses it is authorized to treat.

We are concerned about the opportunity for diversion that this would create. What we've seen in recent years with prescription drugs and clinic methadone is that any medication distributed for legitimate uses can end up in the wrong hands.

While doctors, pharmacies and clinics have made great strides toward cutting down diversion, we are afraid that a separate medical marijuana distribution system would create a conduit for drugs to reach the rest of the community.

While some patients, particularly those on chemotherapy who have lost their appetite for food, say they benefit from medical marijuana, we are skeptical of supporters' claims that it is a good medication for a dozens of illnesses.

Ultimately, this is a federal issue and should be resolved in Washington, not in Maine. Mainer's should vote "no" on this measure.

Question 6: "Do you favor a $71,250,000 bond issue for improvements to highways and bridges, airports, public transit facilities, ferry and port facilities, including port and harbor structures, as well as funds for the LifeFlight Foundation that will make the State eligible for over $148,000,000 in federal and other matching funds?"

Some people may be concerned about borrowing this much money during an economic downturn. They shouldn't.

Money raised by this bond would make much-needed investments in Maine's aging infrastructure.

It also will capture federal funds that will create jobs in the short term and spur economic development in the future.

We enthusiastically support this measure.

The bond includes:

* $55 million highway and bridge investments.

* $4 million Critical Rail Corridors Program.

* $8.25 million port and ferry investments in Eastport, Searsport and Portland.

* $3.6 million aviation investments including $1 million for LifeFlight emergency medical services.

* $400,000 The Acadia Gateway Intermodal Center.

Now is a good time to borrow this money, while interest rates are low and there is little competition from the private sector for contractors' time. They are eager for work and are submitting low bids for government jobs.

These are also good areas for investment. They are not maintenance projects. Road and bridge reconstructions will pay off over decades, so it makes sense to borrow money to fund them.

This bond is a scaled-down version of what lawmakers had requested. It falls short of Maine's real needs, particularly in the area of ports and rail expansion. We should expect to see another transportation bond on the ballot next year.

We are concerned that the state will miss out on economic development opportunities by not investing now. Other states will be, and they will benefit later from the actions they take during this recession.

But the fact that this is not enough is no reason to vote down this measure. Given the restraints of this economy the state should do what it can to keep up.

We urge readers to vote "yes" on Question 6.

Question 7: "Do you favor amending the Constitution of Maine to increase the amount of time that local officials have to certify the signatures on direct initiative petitions?"

During the course of their busy days, municipal clerks in Maine may be asked to register a voter or a vehicle, issue a burn permit or a license for a dog.

But increasingly they are also asked to drop everything to certify the signatures on petitions seeking to get some of our most important public-policy measures on the state ballot.

Recently, backers of more than one issue have turned in petitions at the same time, trying to beat the same deadlines.

It may take months to gather the signatures, but the state constitution gives the clerks only five days to check each one against other records. The pressure this puts on clerk's offices is intense and unreasonable.

Doubling the time they have to process the petitions makes a lot of sense.

Voters should give the clerks time to do their jobs and vote "yes" on Question 7.