Pubdate: Mon, 04 Nov 2013
Source: Portland Daily Sun (ME)
Copyright: 2013 The Portland Daily Sun
Contact:  http://portlanddailysun.me/
Details: http://www.mapinc.org/media/5257

PROPONENTS CALL PORTLAND LEGALIZATION EFFORT FIRST STEP IN WIDER 
ACCEPTANCE OF MARIJUANA USE IN MAINE

Proponents of the marijuana legalization effort in Portland said 
Tuesday's ballot initiative is the first step toward Maine dropping 
its prohibition on the substance. Portland voters on Tuesday will 
decide on whether to legalize the recreational use of marijuana for 
adults over 21 years of age, and proponents of the measure say it's a 
first step toward a wider acceptance of marijuana use in Maine.

"We believe this is the next step toward moving away from 
prohibition," said Maine Rep. Diane Russell, D-Portland, and a step 
toward enacting statewide legislation that would tax and regulate 
legalized marijuana in Maine

"... The people are way ahead of the politicians on this," Russell 
said. The ordinance would decriminalize the use and possession of up 
to 2.5 ounces of marijuana and accessory paraphernalia for adults who 
are 21 years or older but prohibit its use in public spaces, school 
grounds or transportation infrastructure. Russell said the 
legalization ordinance will allow law enforcement to focus more on 
violent crime and more pervasive issues in the city that people who 
choose to recreationally smoke marijuana.

"We see no reason not to support this," said Alysia Zoidis, the owner 
of East End Cupcakes. As a business owner, she said the state ought 
to seize any new opportunity to add new revenue.

Maine Rep. Ben Chipman, I-Portland, said if the state moves in the 
direction of taxing and regulating marijuana, it could yield a lot of 
new revenue that could be used to restore funding to social services 
and other programs that have suffered funding cuts during the past 
several years.

Opponents have warned that marijuana use is dangerous for young 
people, while some have raised objections about trying to legalize 
the substance locally in conflict with state and federal law. 
Supporters point to polling that they say shows widespread public 
acceptance of marijuana.
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