Katelyn Baker
Well-Known Member
25 states, including Maine, have already legalized medical marijuana.
But will Maine join 4 other states and the District of Columbia in legalizing the use of recreational marijuana?
"Maine is ready for a rational drug policy. Most Mainers, like most Americans, recognize that marijuana is already here. It's being bought, sold, and used by adults, mostly in the privacy of their homes, responsibly, whether to relax with some friends, or help them get a good night's sleep, or to treat a number of conditions," said Alysia Melnick, Political Director for the YES on 1 campaign.
Since legalizing medical marijuana in 1999, there have been several efforts to legalize cannabis for recreational use. Question 1 on the ballot this year aims to do that for persons over the age of 21. If passed, marijuana would be taxed and regulated much like alcohol, and citizens could posess up to 2.5 ounces of marijuana as well as cultivate small amounts of the plant in their home.
Maine's Attorney General has expressed concerns about the measure.
"The question to me is not simply whether people want to legalize marijuana, the question before the voters is to enact this 30 page bill into law. That's a very different question. The only thing that it repealed was the very provision that makes it unlawful for juveniles to possess marijuana. I thought, why did they do that?" asked Attroney General, Janet Mills.
"States that have legalized have seen no increased access or use by their youth, and bringing this substance out of the black market and behind the counter of a legitimate business that pays its taxes, that abides regulations like bans on marketing to children, child proof packaging, testing for potency- these are the sorts of things that would benefit our state if we vote yes on 1," said Melnick.
Question 1 proponents say the marijuana industry could generate tens of millions of dollars of tax revenue for the state that could be spent on schools and funding law enforcement- and would eliminate small-time drug offenses.
"1700 Maine adults won't be getting tagged with marijuana possession charges that will follow them and interfere with their ability to get housing, jobs, or student loans," said Melnick.
"Businesses can not fire employees for using marijuana," said Governor LePage.
Dawson Julia owns and operates East Coast CBD's, and is a medical marijuana caregiver. Question 1 has divided the medical marijuana industry as some are worried about the longevity and security of their businesses and their patients. While Julia agrees there's money to be made, he hopes that money doesn't go to out-of-state corporations.
"But it's really all about who's going to get the licenses, how many are they going to issue, are they all going to go to Mainers, or is it going to be a big smoke and mirrors show with a bunch of cronies in a back room making deals?" asked Julia.
"It doesn't touch the medical program at all because we really understand and value the benefits of those relationships that caregivers have built with their patients," said Melnick.
Other opponents, like Governor LePage, fear an increase in crime-rate and harder drug-use.
"The World Health Organization and others have acknowledged that the only way that marijuana may be a gateway is because it funnels people into the black market with dealers that don't ID, don't test their products for safety or potency, and have a real vested interest in selling their customers hard, addictive, even deadly drugs like opioids," said Melnick.
The ultimate decision will be up to voters. If it does pass, expect changes and modifications once the legislature is back in session...If not, expect to see another initiative in a couple of years.
News Moderator: Katelyn Baker 420 MAGAZINE ®
Full Article: 2016 Election Question 1 - Marijuana Legalization
Author: Brandon Doyen
Contact: 207-947-8321
Photo Credit: Jeff Chiu
Website: Wabi
But will Maine join 4 other states and the District of Columbia in legalizing the use of recreational marijuana?
"Maine is ready for a rational drug policy. Most Mainers, like most Americans, recognize that marijuana is already here. It's being bought, sold, and used by adults, mostly in the privacy of their homes, responsibly, whether to relax with some friends, or help them get a good night's sleep, or to treat a number of conditions," said Alysia Melnick, Political Director for the YES on 1 campaign.
Since legalizing medical marijuana in 1999, there have been several efforts to legalize cannabis for recreational use. Question 1 on the ballot this year aims to do that for persons over the age of 21. If passed, marijuana would be taxed and regulated much like alcohol, and citizens could posess up to 2.5 ounces of marijuana as well as cultivate small amounts of the plant in their home.
Maine's Attorney General has expressed concerns about the measure.
"The question to me is not simply whether people want to legalize marijuana, the question before the voters is to enact this 30 page bill into law. That's a very different question. The only thing that it repealed was the very provision that makes it unlawful for juveniles to possess marijuana. I thought, why did they do that?" asked Attroney General, Janet Mills.
"States that have legalized have seen no increased access or use by their youth, and bringing this substance out of the black market and behind the counter of a legitimate business that pays its taxes, that abides regulations like bans on marketing to children, child proof packaging, testing for potency- these are the sorts of things that would benefit our state if we vote yes on 1," said Melnick.
Question 1 proponents say the marijuana industry could generate tens of millions of dollars of tax revenue for the state that could be spent on schools and funding law enforcement- and would eliminate small-time drug offenses.
"1700 Maine adults won't be getting tagged with marijuana possession charges that will follow them and interfere with their ability to get housing, jobs, or student loans," said Melnick.
"Businesses can not fire employees for using marijuana," said Governor LePage.
Dawson Julia owns and operates East Coast CBD's, and is a medical marijuana caregiver. Question 1 has divided the medical marijuana industry as some are worried about the longevity and security of their businesses and their patients. While Julia agrees there's money to be made, he hopes that money doesn't go to out-of-state corporations.
"But it's really all about who's going to get the licenses, how many are they going to issue, are they all going to go to Mainers, or is it going to be a big smoke and mirrors show with a bunch of cronies in a back room making deals?" asked Julia.
"It doesn't touch the medical program at all because we really understand and value the benefits of those relationships that caregivers have built with their patients," said Melnick.
Other opponents, like Governor LePage, fear an increase in crime-rate and harder drug-use.
"The World Health Organization and others have acknowledged that the only way that marijuana may be a gateway is because it funnels people into the black market with dealers that don't ID, don't test their products for safety or potency, and have a real vested interest in selling their customers hard, addictive, even deadly drugs like opioids," said Melnick.
The ultimate decision will be up to voters. If it does pass, expect changes and modifications once the legislature is back in session...If not, expect to see another initiative in a couple of years.
News Moderator: Katelyn Baker 420 MAGAZINE ®
Full Article: 2016 Election Question 1 - Marijuana Legalization
Author: Brandon Doyen
Contact: 207-947-8321
Photo Credit: Jeff Chiu
Website: Wabi
