AUGUSTA, Maine - Lawmakers from opposite ends of the political spectrum unveiled a bill Thursday that would give Mainers the chance to legalize marijuana for recreational use in a statewide referendum. The bill, sponsored by Rep. Diane Russell, D-Portland, and co-sponsored by Rep. Aaron Libby, R-Waterboro, would make vast changes in Maine's drug law, ranging from making possession of up to 2.5 ounces of pot legal to imposing a tax of $50 per ounce. Russell and others argued during a press conference Thursday afternoon at the State House that laws against marijuana have enmeshed too many nonviolent offenders in the legal system and deprived government coffers of millions of dollars in revenue. Russell estimated that taxing and regulating marijuana could generate up to $13 million a year, three-quarters of which she proposes routing into the state's General Fund, which supports the majority of state government including public education and most social services. The rest of the revenue would pay for implementation of the law, substance abuse treatment and prevention programs, and research on the effects of marijuana. [continues 444 words]
AUGUSTA, Maine -- A group of residents angry with the Legislature's latest changes to the state's medical marijuana law are planning a quiet but concerted effort today to persuade the new crop of lawmakers in Augusta to make changes. According to Cynthia Rosen of Washington, the residents are seeking either a moratorium on or repeal of a law that ORIGINATED from a bill titled "An Act to Amend the Maine Medical Marijuana Act," which was passed overwhelmingly in April of this year. [continues 500 words]
PITTSFIELD, Maine -- A man whose home was raided by drug agents said the state owes him thousands of dollars for 19 seized marijuana plants that he says he was growing in compliance with Maine's medical marijuana law. James P. Fowler, 44, of Pittsfield, who was charged with cultivating marijuana and possession of marijuana after the March 19 raid, said that based on figures used by drug investigators to value marijuana plants, he is owed up to $38,000. "If they can use $2,000 a plant against me, what's good for the goose is good for the gander," said Fowler, who lives alone at 139 A St. in Pittsfield. "I want some sort of compensation." [continues 876 words]
AUGUSTA, Maine -- The effort to expand access to marijuana in Maine for both medical use and by the general population will continue with two new petitions being circulated by Maine Vocals. Maine Vocals founder Don Christen of Madison said his group seeks to expand and improve existing medical marijuana laws in one petition and to legalize pot outright in the other. The medical marijuana petition would repeal the Maine Medical Marijuana Act and replace it with a new law proposed by Maine Vocals, according to text of the proposal provided by the Secretary of State's Office. Maine elections director Melissa Packard said Monday that her office approved the text of both of Maine Vocals' petitions on April 30. [continues 532 words]
Mainers for Medical Rights is gaining support for its effort to legalize marijuana for medical purposes. On the heels of an endorsement from Cumberland County Sheriff Mark Dion, the organization reports that more than 175 health care professionals throughout the state, including 10 from the Mid-coast area, have teamed up to show their support for the referendum. One of them, Elly Cary of Harpswell, a registered home health nurse, will appear in a new television commercial that begins its broadcasting schedule today, according to Craig Brown, campaign director for the Mainers for Medical Rights, which is backing the measure known as Question 2 on the Nov. 2 ballot. [continues 396 words]
