It will soon be green Mondays for Mainers as voters' decision to legalize and regulate marijuana have been achieved. Voters in Portland narrowly passed the ballot question in November regarding the possession of marijuana, although the waiting period between the vote and legalization has presently expired.
The state is currently having a dilemma in choosing rules that should rightfully govern the marijuana-selling businesses, such as retail stores and social clubs, according to the US News. The Legislature has been constantly hammering out the details, and are expected to naturalise the rules in the span of months, before the marijuana businesses officially launch in the state.
Nevertheless, smoking marijuana on Mondays is legal. Grow it and giving it as a gift to someone is also considered legal. An individual can possess up to 2.5 ounces of it. David Boyer, the campaign manager for the ballot question said, "We're not making criminals out of thousands of Mainers who choose to use marijuana." He continued to say that marijuana is safer substance than alcohol.
The marijuana legalization vote was close, passing by only 4,000 votes. Opponents of the legalisation decision have vowed to continue to push for restrictions in the state, according to ABC News.
In fact, the lawmakers of the state have unanimously approved the legislation that delays the retail sale of marijuana until February 2018. Republican Gov, Paul LePage who initially declined to issue the delay due to concerns about funding and oversight, was left with not much choice but to sign the bill at immediate response. LePage's signing of the bill on January 27th, closed the gap that would have previously, allowed the teenagers under 21 to possess pot.
While some cities and towns have considered suspensions on the premising of marijuana businesses, some have already approved temporary bans for the businesses. For many local officials, getting into the business of issuing marijuana licenses is highly unstable, unless the state rules are fall into place.
With Massachusetts, Nevada and California, acting in parallel to the legalisation of recreational marijuana with a referendum last year, Maine is not alone in its vow of pursuing broader legalisation of marijuana within the state.
The chairman of Mainers Protecting Our Youth and Communities, Scott Gagnonhas, asserted that the legalization will bring a radical cultural change for Maine and that cities and towns should consider being more vigilant about whether they will allow sales of marijuana within their borders.
