Augusta, ME-(ENEWSPF)- A proposal to let Maine voters decide if marijuana should be regulated like alcohol received near majority support Friday in a vote of the Maine House of Representatives.
The proposed amendment to LD 1229, a bill introduced by Rep. Diane Russell (D-Portland) with a bipartisan group of 35 co-sponsors, was defeated 71-67. It would have placed a measure on the ballot calling on the Maine Department of Administrative and Financial Services, Bureau of Alcoholic Beverages, and Lottery Operations to develop rules and legislation for a legal marijuana market for adults 21 years of age or older. The proposal will now be considered in the Senate where it must receive a simple majority to be sent back to the House for reconsideration. A two-thirds majority will then be required to refer the measure to the ballot.
"Today’s vote is another indication of the growing support for regulating marijuana like alcohol in Maine," said David Boyer, Maine political director for the Marijuana Policy Project. "There is no longer any doubt marijuana will become legal for adults in our state. It is now just a question of when and how it will be done.
"If the legislature does not take action, this issue will eventually be settled at the ballot box," Boyer said. "Marijuana prohibition has been just as big a failure as alcohol prohibition, and voters are ready to adopt a more sensible approach."
