Augusta, ME: Adults in Maine will be able to legally possess and grow personal use quantities of cannabis without penalty beginning on Monday, January 30, 2017.
Republican Governor Paul LePage on Saturday certified the results of Question 1: The Marijuana Legalization Act, which then becomes law 30 days later. At that time, adults who are not participating in the state’s medical cannabis program will be able to legally possess up to two and one-half ounces of cannabis and/or the total harvest produced by six mature plants.
Separate provisions in the measure also establish regulations for the commercial cultivation, retail sale, and social use of cannabis. Regulations governing marijuana-related businesses are scheduled to be in place by August 8, 2017. However, the Governor has called on lawmakers to push back this timeline.
Governor LePage has been a strong opponent of Question 1, stating, “If there was ever a bill that the legislature should just kibosh, that’s it.” He has also suggested increasing marijuana’s retail sales tax rates, as well as abolishing the state’s medical cannabis program, which has been in place since 1999 – positions that NORML opposes.
For more information, please contact Erik Atieri, NORML Executive Director, or Justin Strekal, NORML Political Director, at (202) 483-5500.