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 […]
marijuana
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 […]
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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, […]
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 […]