PORTLAND (AP) — Marijuana legalization advocates in Maine are aiming for a statewide law to legalize pot after voters in the state’s largest city convincingly approved a local legalization ordinance. Portland voters passed a referendum 67-33 percent Tuesday making it legal to possess up to 2 1/2 ounces of pot. The decisive outcome should send […]
marijuana
Legal pot advocates turn attention to statewide referendum
PORTLAND — A decisive vote legalizing recreational marijuana in Maine’s largest city sets the state for advocates to push for a law that would make pot legal statewide. By a margin of 67-33 percent, Portland voters on Tuesday supported a referendum making it legal for adults 21 and over to possess up to 2 ½ […]
Portland approves recreational pot by wide margin
PORTLAND — Maine’s largest city legalized possession of marijuana for recreational use on Tuesday in a vote that has been eyed as an indicator of support levels in the Northeast following last year’s votes out West. The proposal, making it legal for adults 21 and older to possess up to 2½ ounces of pot in […]
Portland voters considering proposal to legalize recreational pot
PORTLAND (AP) — Residents of Maine’s largest city are being asked if they want to legalize possession of recreational amounts of marijuana. Tuesday’s vote comes a year after Washington and Colorado voters passed statewide ballot questions legalizing possession of up to an ounce of pot by people 21 and older. Advocates of legalizing pot possession […]
Three legislators support Portland pot referendum
PORTLAND — At least three Maine legislators from Portland are endorsing a citizen’s initiative seeking to legalize recreational possession of marijuana in the city. Reps. Benjamin Chipman, Matthew Moonen and Diane Russell are holding a news conference Friday expressing their support for the ballot question in next Tuesday’s election. The owner of a cupcake company […]
Anti-pot campaign pops up in Portland
PORTLAND — Roadside campaign signs have begun appearing in Portland expressing opposition to a ballot question seeking to legalize recreational use of marijuana. Voters in Portland are being asked next Tuesday whether they want to make it legal for adults 21 and older to possess — but not purchase or sell — up to 2.5 […]
Three arrested in ‘substantial’ drug bust in Norridgewock
NORRIDGEWOCK — Three men were arrested and 20 pounds of marijuana along with cocaine, hashish and several prescription pills were confiscated as the result of a search at a local house Thursday night. The Somerset County Sheriff’s Department executed a search warrant at 611 Skowhegan Road about 11 p.m. Thursday, Deputy Chief Dale Lancaster said […]
One-time pot smuggler now practices law in Boston
PORTLAND — Twenty-five years ago this Friday, Maine’s most infamous drug smuggler received a headline-making criminal sentence that many considered a slap on the wrist. While several members of his marijuana-importing business were sentenced to years in prison, Harvey Prager lived in his Portland home with his wife and children and took care of dying AIDS […]
Portland man faces federal drug charges
PORTLAND (AP) — A Portland man is facing federal charges for allegedly running an interstate marijuana smuggling operation and laundering more than $100,000 through a Maine attorney. According to documents filed in U.S. District Court in Portland, 29-year-old David Jones was arrested Friday on a charge of possession with intent to distribute more than 100 […]
Pro-marijuana group plans ads to run on Portland area buses
PORTLAND — Plans to run ads on Portland area buses and bus shelters promoting a referendum question that would legalize recreational use of marijuana is drawing fire from groups that fight substance abuse. The ads are funded by the Marijuana Policy Project, a nonprofit that aims to legalize marijuana. In November, Portland voters will be […]