On Nov. 8, Maine voters have the opportunity to adopt a rational marijuana policy by legalizing, taxing and regulating marijuana for adults 21 and over. The proposed law contains strong regulations to protect kids; testing for safety and potency; and protections for employers and landlords. It also contains strong local controls so towns can decide whether to allow marijuana businesses and is designed to ensure local Maine farmers and businesses benefit.  
 
Question 1 expands access for patients, redirects law enforcement to true public safety issues, and implements a tax structure generating millions of dollars to address serious matters facing Maine.  
 
Question 1 is good for public health. Maine adults can talk openly with doctors, make the best decisions about treatment, and purchase their medicine without fear. It will help address our opioid crisis because patients who use marijuana to treat pain are far less likely to use opioids and report better quality of life and fewer medication side effects. When using marijuana, those suffering from addiction suffer less during opioid withdrawal and are more likely to complete treatment for opioid dependence.
 
Question 1 is good for our kids. Putting marijuana behind the counter of taxed, regulated businesses undercuts the illicit market and imposes safeguards like marketing restrictions, warning labels, and child-proof packaging. States with legal marijuana have seen no increase in youth access or use, and SAMHSA found that teens do not use more marijuana simply because they think it is less risky.   

Question 1 is good for public safety. Police in Maine spend millions of dollars and valuable time going after thousands of adults for marijuana possession without any reduction in availability or use. Question 1 frees up those resources and protects otherwise law-abiding Mainers from marijuana offenses that damage their ability to find jobs, housing, or education. Legalized states have not experienced any increase in traffic deaths and have used new revenue to increase resources to handle issues like impaired driving.

Question 1 is good for Maine’s economy. It will generate tens of millions of dollars in tax revenue to support schools, fund prevention and treatment programs, and stimulate job creation, as it has in legalized states.

It’s working. Legalizing, regulating, and taxing marijuana for adults is working in other states. There is no voter remorse, no increased youth use, no increase in traffic deaths or crime, and revenue exceeds expectations.

Criminalizing and punishing responsible, adult marijuana users wastes resources and distracts us from implementing smarter policies to protect our kids and communities. Question 1 lets adults make adult decisions while implementing strong protections for youth and generating revenue from regulated, legitimate businesses, instead of supporting drug dealers and cartels.

We can do better. Vote yes on 1.

David Boyer is the Maine political director for the Marijuana Policy Project. He can be reached at [email protected]