AUGUSTA —Maine Attorney General Janet Mills says a proposal to legalize marijuana for recreational use would have the effect of making pot legal for children. Mills told WCSH-TV the referendum to legalize marijuana for adults 21 and older removes the existing legal language that makes possession of small amounts of marijuana a civil infraction for […]
marijuana
Posted inMaine, sj-web
Legalized pot referendum to be Question 1 on November ballot
The campaign to legalize recreational marijuana in Maine drew the coveted Question 1 spot on the statewide 2016 ballot during Secretary of State Matt Dunlap’s random drawing on Monday. The November ballot will be a crowded place for referendum efforts, with five citizen-initiated ballot questions and a bond question. The marijuana legalization question will be followed on the ballot by efforts […]
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Posted inLetters
Negative consequences
The short-term effects of marijuana include problems with memory and learning, distorted perception, difficulty in thinking and problem-solving and loss of coordination. Although more studies are needed on the impact of marijuana concentrates, it is clear that in order to prevent use by youth, public education and awareness of the potential health risks are critical. […]
Posted inMaine
Group forms to fight Maine marijuana ballot question
LEWISTON — A new coalition aimed at defeating a November ballot question that will ask Maine voters to make marijuana legal for recreational use under state law is growing, according to a coalition leader. Mainers Protecting Our Youth and Communities includes parents, health experts, clergy and police, said Scott Gagnon, the coalition’s spokesman and the chairman […]
Posted inBusiness, sj-web
Report says Maine can gain $22 million in marijuana tax
A Tax Foundation analysis released earlier this month says Maine could see a revenue boon if voters agree to legalize marijuana. It took a court fight with Maine’s secretary of state, but the legalization question will be on the ballot in 2016. It would allow people to possess 2.5 ounces of marijuana and give the […]
Posted inMaine, sj-web
Maine struggles to understand drug-impaired driving
PORTLAND — Authorities say more education about drug-impaired driving is needed in Maine as the state deals with a heroin epidemic and considers legalizing marijuana for recreational use. The Portland Press Herald reports prosecutors, police officers and traffic safety experts made the comments during a summit in Portland on Monday that examined new research and […]
Posted inLetters
Marijuana law simply stinks
The Rumford Falls Times highlighted an article “Recommendations made during opiate forum” (May 5). Later in the day, Gary Dolloff, chairman of Greater Rumford Community Center, posted on Facebook that a marijuana operation in an adjoining building was emitting fumes so strong that children were becoming ill during programs, staff is overwhelmed by the stench […]
Posted inLewiston-Auburn
Sabattus couple seeks to open ‘cannabis club’ in Lewiston
LEWISTON — Caught between state approval to use medicinal marijuana and federal law prohibiting it, tenants of public housing say they need an approved spot to medicate. A Sabattus couple says the answer is a “cannabis club.” Last month, the city denied an application for Vincent and Shanon Gogan to open a cannabis club on […]
Posted inMaine, sj-web
Maine voters to decide marijuana legalization in November
Maine Secretary of State Matthew Dunlap says supporters of a referendum proposal to legalize marijuana have cleared the hurdle to appear on the November ballot. Dunlap said Wednesday election officials have certified an additional 11,305 signatures. That brings the number over the threshold of 61,123 valid signatures. Now the referendum initiative will go to lawmakers, […]
Posted inNew England, sj-web
Could marijuana be prescribed for heroin addiction?
CONCORD, N.H. — The growing number of patients who claim marijuana helped them drop their painkiller habit has intrigued lawmakers and emboldened advocates, who are pushing for cannabis as a treatment for the abuse of opioids and illegal narcotics like heroin, as well as an alternative to painkillers. It’s a tempting sell in New England, […]