Both U.S. Sen. Angus King and the Republican who hopes to take King’s place in Congress are unhappy with a decision by U.S. Attorney General Jeff Sessions to crack down on state efforts to make marijuana legal. State Sen. Eric Brakey, an Auburn Republican, called the move “a clear unconstitutional overreach by the federal government.” […]
marijuana
Bill would allow kids prescribed medical marijuana to receive it at school
AUGUSTA (AP) — A Republican lawmaker wants to make accommodations for Maine children prescribed medical marijuana. Rep. Deborah Sanderson’s bill would allow kids prescribed medical marijuana to receive it from certain medical providers on school grounds. The bill is scheduled for a Wednesday hearing. Current law allows the child’s primary caregiver to possess and administer […]
Jeff Sessions' policy could kill buzz around Maine’s legal marijuana industry
Attorney General Jeff Sessions rescinded the Obama-era policy that had paved the way for legalized marijuana to flourish in states across the country Thursday, a move that could throw Maine’s legal marijuana industry into a tailspin. In a memo, Sessions announced a “return to the rule of law” and directed Department of Justice attorneys to enforce […]
Jeff Sessions to enforce federal laws prohibiting legal marijuana use
WASHINGTON – Attorney General Jeff Sessions is rescinding the Obama-era policy that had paved the way for legalized marijuana to flourish in states across the country, two people with knowledge of the decision told The Associated Press. Sessions will instead let federal prosecutors where pot is legal decide how aggressively to enforce federal marijuana law, […]
Poland extends pot moratorium
POLAND — The Board of Selectpersons voted Tuesday night to extend the town’s emergency marijuana moratorium. The moratorium prohibits retail marijuana establishments and social clubs within the town of Poland. The extension will go into effect Jan. 15, after the original moratorium expires. According to Selectperson Mary-Beth Taylor, the extension will last until the annual […]
Maine lawmakers return to deal with marijuana, Medicaid expansion
AUGUSTA (AP) — Maine lawmakers are returning to Augusta to tackle big questions on recreational marijuana sales and funding for voter-approved Medicaid expansion. Wednesday marks the first day of the second session of the 128th Legislature. This year, lawmakers face re-election. Several legislative leaders are running for governor and Congress. While Medicaid expansion and recreational […]
Lawmakers optimistic they can resolve disagreements on marijuana bill
AUGUSTA — Key lawmakers will meet with Gov. Paul LePage on Friday to try to reach agreement on how to change an adult-use marijuana bill so it would gain his support. Members of a special committee that drafted the bill after state voters approved legalization in 2016 said they were optimistic that they could reach […]
Joy to the weed: Marijuana legalization comes bearing gifts
In this Wednesday, Dec. 13, 2017 photo, James MacWilliams prunes a marijuana plant that he is growing indoors in Portland, Maine. “I figure, I’ve got all this pot, I might as well just give it away for Christmas,” said MacWilliams, who started growing weed when it became legal and is giving away fancy jars of […]
Maine processors who make pot products facing state crackdown
Tree Tap Extracts in Jay produces marijuana-infused maple sugar candies for patients, some of whom prefer to ingest the drug without having to smoke it. (Shawn Patrick Ouellette/Portland Press Herald) Maine plans to start cracking down on the growing number of labs and kitchens that specialize in turning cannabis into a product that doesn’t have […]
Legislative committee tries crafting a compromise recreational marijuana bill
State lawmakers are launching a new effort to overhaul Maine’s recreational pot law in January, hoping to find a political compromise to avoid another gubernatorial veto. The committee charged with launching the state’s commercial adult-use market already has reintroduced the bill that Gov. Paul LePage vetoed last month, changing just a few of the dates […]