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, […]
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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, […]
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Posted inMaine, sj-web
Three men sentenced for massive marijuana operation
TOWNSHIP 37 — Six years ago, there was more than logging going on in the wilderness in eastern Maine. Hidden from view and protected by gates, a sophisticated marijuana-growing operation featured a warehouse, bunkhouses, migrant workers — and $9 million worth of marijuana. It was camouflaged so well that a game warden rode right past […]
Posted inNation / World, sj-web
4 charts that illustrate the politics of marijuana
You might not know it, but today is a certain subculture’s favorite holiday of the year. Cannabis enthusiasts across the world keep April 20 marked on their calendars as a day to commemorate their passion for pot. Though “4/20” is inherently a silly sort of celebration, marijuana use has increasingly become a serious issue that […]
Posted inMaine, sj-web
Secretary of State will review marijuana signatures again
AUGUSTA — Secretary of State Matthew Dunlap won’t appeal a judge’s ruling overturning his decision to invalidate a marijuana legalization referendum, potentially clearing it for the November ballot. His office will now review thousands of signatures that it threw out in March, and a top proponent said “we’re confident that we collected far more valid […]
Posted inFranklin
RSU 9 expels student for rest of school year
FARMINGTON — The Regional School Unit 9 board of directors voted 9-4 Tuesday to expel a Mt. Blue High School student accused of distributing pot brownies on school property for the rest of the school year, Superintendent Tom Ward said. “We’re going to work with him so he can continue his education and be ready […]
Posted inNation / World, sj-web
DEA considers changing marijuana classification
In a lengthy memo to lawmakers, the Drug Enforcement Administration said it hopes to decide whether to change the federal status of marijuana “in the first half of 2016.” Marijuana is currently listed under the Controlled Substances Act as a Schedule 1 drug, meaning that for the purposes of federal law, the drug has “no […]
Posted inMaine, sj-web
Legalized marijuana backers fight ballot rejection in court
AUGUSTA — Proponents of a marijuana legalization ballot initiative disqualified by Maine Secretary of State Matthew Dunlap told a judge Wednesday that the decision relied on an “unconstitutionally vague” legal interpretation. The court battle will decide the fate of a question that would make Maine the fifth state to legalize marijuana, and it revolves around […]
Posted inRiver Valley
Two traffic stops lead to arrest of 4
RUMFORD — Four New York residents were arrested Saturday following two separate vehicle stops, police said. Around 9:12 a.m., Sgt. James Bernard stopped a vehicle on Hancock Street for excessive speed. He spoke to the driver and smelled a strong odor of marijuana, Rumford Police Chief Stacey Carter said in a news release. Arrested were Diamonds […]
Posted inLivermore Falls Advertiser, Maine
Maine panel votes 7-4 to reject blood testing for drivers on marijuana
AUGUSTA — Voting 7-4, a Maine legislative panel Thursday rejected a bill to set a blood-level limit that could have been used as evidence to convict a person for driving under the influence of marijuana. The vote split largely along party lines, with Democrats voting against the proposed standard and Republicans voting for it. The […]