Bill Filed to Delay Maine's Marijuana Legalization Law
AUGUSTA, ME Bipartisan lawmakers in Maine have filed a bill that would delaymost of the implementation of Question 1, which legalized marijuana in Maine, by over a year.
The bill, House Bill 88, was introduced Wednesday by state Rep. Louis Luchini (D-Ellsworth) and Senate PresidentMichael Thibodeau (R-Winterport).
The proposal would delay the implementation of most of Question 1 until February 1, 2018, including establishing a framework for a retail cannabis industry in the state, licencing of dispensaries, and possession of marijuana edibles by adults.
Proponents of the measure, which was approved by voters in November and successfully defeated arecount challenge by opponents, saylawmakers are thumbing their nose at voters by proposing the delay.
Question 1 has nine months built-in to give regulators the time they need to craft responsible rules for legal marijuana sales. These politicians are clearly thumbing their nose at voters by proposing Maine delay this process before it has even started, said David Boyer, Maine political director for the Marijuana Policy Project.
Personal possession of up to 2 1/2 ounces of marijuanawill still become legal for adults later this month, but the bill prohibits adults from possessing edibles until February 2018 ...
