Pubdate: Wed, 15 May 2013
Source: Portland Press Herald (ME)
Copyright: 2013 MaineToday Media, Inc.
Contact: http://drugsense.org/url/J9R991Zc
Website: http://www.pressherald.com/
Details: http://www.mapinc.org/media/744
Author: Tom Bell

MAINE PANEL OPPOSES MARIJUANA LEGALIZATION

Opponents See It As a Danger to Society and in Conflict With Federal 
Law, but the Plan Isn't Dead Yet.

A proposal to legalize and tax marijuana in Maine failed to win 
support from a legislative committee Tuesday.

The Criminal Justice and Public Safety Committee voted 8-3 against 
endorsing L.D. 1229, sponsored by Rep. Diane Russell, D-Portland.

Russell and other advocates say that legalizing recreational use of 
marijuana would bring the existing marijuana trade aboveboard and 
produce both tax revenue and business income.

But several committee members noted that the legislation would put 
Maine in conflict with the federal government. Marijuana -- even 
medical marijuana -- is illegal under federal law.

The legal status of marijuana possession must be resolved by the 
federal government, said the committee's House chair, Rep. Mark Dion, 
D-Portland.

A legislative vote to legalize marijuana would put Maine on a 
"collision course" with federal agencies, said Dion, who noted that 
his vote against the measure will not make him popular in Portland.

In Maine, marijuana is legal for medical use under certain 
conditions. Marijuana is illegal for any other use, with possession 
of as much as 2.5 ounces a civil violation, and possession of more a crime.

Russell's bill calls for a statewide referendum on legalizing 
possession of as much as 2.5 ounces of marijuana and six plants. It 
also proposes a licensing system and structure to collect taxes on 
marijuana sales.

The committee vote indicates the bill is likely to be rejected by the 
full Legislature, but with some members supporting it, the proposal 
can be brought up for votes in the House and Senate.

"This has been an uphill battle the whole time, but reaction from 
people has been unbelievable. The bill is not dead," Russell said 
after the committee vote. "There is a lot more support in the 
Legislature for my bill than was evidenced today."

Her bill would make Maine the third state to legalize marijuana, 
after Washington and Colorado.

In a related effort, the Portland chapter of the Maine Green 
Independent Party has collected more than 2,000 petition signatures 
calling for a referendum on making possession of as much as 2.5 
ounces of marijuana legal in Portland.

The group has until May 30 to collect at least 1,500 valid 
signatures. If it succeeds, the City Council can adopt the ordinance 
or schedule a referendum.

Besides raising legal questions, legalizing marijuana would pose a 
danger to society, said Rep. Timothy Marks, D-Pittston, a retired 
state trooper and a member of the Criminal Justice Committee.

"I have spent my career in law enforcement and public safety," he 
told other committee members. "I don't see how this is going to help 
the public become safer. It is not."

Rep. Corey Wilson, R-Augusta, Rep. Bryan Kaenrath, D-South Portland, 
and Sen. Gary Plummer, R-Windham, voted in favor of Russell's bill.

In an interview after the vote, Wilson said the three lawmakers will 
submit a minority report asking the Legislature to put the question 
to Maine voters.

"This is not an issue that belongs in the Legislature," he said. 
"People feel strongly about the issue on both sides and rightly 
should have the opportunity to have their voices heard. The most 
direct way to do that is a vote on the ballot."

Although no citizens initiative to legalize marijuana is under way, 
Wilson said he expects there will be one next year.

He said it would be better for the Legislature to craft a ballot 
question that allows for well-considered regulations than let a 
citizens petition dictate the rules.
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MAP posted-by: Jay Bergstrom