Pubdate: Fri, 01 Nov 2013
Source: Portland Press Herald (ME)
Copyright: 2013 MaineToday Media, Inc.
Contact: http://drugsense.org/url/J9R991Zc
Website: http://www.pressherald.com/
Details: http://www.mapinc.org/media/744
Page: B4

POT INITIATIVE WINS SUPPORT OF FOUR STATE REPRESENTATIVES

Several state representatives and a local business owner are expected
to throw their support behind an initiative that would legalize
possession of marijuana by adults in Portland.

Reps. Benjamin Chipman, Matthew Moonen, Diane Russell and Peter
Stuckey are supporting Question 1, the initiative to legalize
possession of up to 2.5 ounces of marijuana, according to the
Marijuana Policy Project. The Washington, D.C.-based advocacy group is
supporting the Portland referendum and trying to legalize marijuana in
10 states in the coming years.

The proposal will be Question 1 on the city ballot Tuesday.

The representatives are expected to announce their support at a news
conference Friday in front of East End Cupcakes on Fore Street, where
owner Alysia Zoidkis also is expected endorse passage of Question 1.

The initiative would not legalize the sale or purchase of marijuana,
but would allow anyone 21 or older to "engage in activities for the
purposes of ascertaining the possession of marijuana and
paraphernalia." It would prohibit recreational use of marijuana in
public spaces, on school grounds and in transportation infrastructure,
and would let landlords prohibit tenants from using marijuana on their
property.

There has been no organized opposition to the initiative, which is
being led by the Portland Green-Independent Committee.
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MAP posted-by: Matt