consumers can buy their marijuana in a safe and convenient location. We support every proposal that would end prohibition and legalize marijuana. The most important thing about ending prohibition is we still have more than 650,000 Americans arrested every year in this country for nothing more than the fact that when they relax at the end of the day, they prefer to smoke a joint just as tens of millions of American enjoy a beer or glass of wine. It’s an irrational policy, it’s incredibly destructive to people’s lives and careers, and there’s simply no reason to continue marijuana prohibition.”
Opposition:
“We are concerned that this proposition is bad public policy and does nothing to prevent advertising and marketing to children and teenagers near parks, community centers and child-centric businesses,” Tom Dominguez, president of The Association of Orange County Deputy Sheriffs, which donated $5,000 in opposition of Prop 64, said in an e-mailed statement. “It also allows convicted drug dealers to become ‘legal marijuana dealers’ despite the fact that their prior crimes involved dealing large amounts of controlled substances including heroin and methamphetamine. It is a danger to our youth and the communities we have been sworn to serve.”
Maine
Referred to as Question 1, the measure is designed to legalize, regulate and tax marijuana as an agricultural product.
Individuals 21 and older would be permitted use and possession of up to 2.5 ounces of prepared marijuana. Retail facilities and marijuana social clubs would also be granted licenses. Under this measure, the marijuana industry would be regulated by the Maine Department of Agriculture and the Conservation and Forestry, both of which can limit the operation of retail stores and tax 10 percent of all marijuana sales.
A poll conducted in March revealed that nearly 54 percent of Maine voters supported Question 1. As of September 30, more than $2.1 million has been raised in support and $9,335.94 has been raised in opposition.
Support:
“The expected sweep of these states will exert enormous pressure on federal lawmakers to end the racist outdated policy of cannabis prohibition, that shreds productive citizens’ lives and families for no good reason, and focus law enforcement resources instead on actual crime,” officials for Dr. Bronner’s, a California-based natural and organic body care products company known for pioneering hemp-based soaps said in an announcement. Dr. Bonner’s has pledged to contribute upward of $660,000 to marijuana legalization campaigns all five state measures.
Opposition:
“Question 1 directs lawmakers to enact a scheme to tax, regulate, and police marijuana similar to Washington and Colorado,” Hillary Lister, an advocate and lobbyist for Medical Marijuana Caregivers of Maine, said in her public comments opposing the measure. “Those states have spent millions of taxpayer dollars to… (continue reading)
Author: Cesar Gamboa
Cesar Gamboa is a staff reporter and editor for Addiction Now covering topics ranging from legislation to scientific studies. He was previously a general assignment reporter for the Orange County Register. SoCal raised, lover of books, and avid mountain biker (when he wants to be). He can be reached at cesarg@addictionnow.com.
