Pubdate: Sun, 05 Jun 2016
Source: Portland Press Herald (ME)
Copyright: 2016 The Associated Press
Contact: http://drugsense.org/url/J9R991Zc
Website: http://www.pressherald.com/
Details: http://www.mapinc.org/media/744
Author: Patrick Whittle

LEGALIZATION OF MARIJUANA A HOT TOPIC AT AUGUSTA TRADE SHOW

Home Grown Maine 2016 is happening about five months before residents 
will vote on whether to make recreational use of marijuana legal in the state.

(AP) - The debate over whether to legalize recreational marijuana in 
Maine will take center stage at an event that bills itself as New 
England's largest cannabis trade show.

Home Grown Maine 2016, a major event for growers, vendors and 
patients of medical marijuana, is taking place at the Augusta Civic 
Center in Maine's capital city on Saturday and Sunday. The trade show 
is happening about five months before residents will vote on whether 
to make recreational use of marijuana legal in the state.

David Boyer, a Portland activist from the Campaign to Regulate 
Marijuana Like Alcohol, said his group will set up a table at the 
event and attempt to use the weekend to enlist campaigners at the show.

"Politics is about solidifying your base and getting them out and 
getting them connected," he said. "We'll use it as a recruiting event."

But some in the medical marijuana industry have expressed reluctance 
over legal recreational pot. The event is hosted by Medical Marijuana 
Caregivers of Maine, a trade association that is in favor of 
legalization but has members who have expressed reservations about 
the current proposal on the table.

Some medical marijuana growers are concerned that legalizing 
recreational pot could ultimately damage the state's medical 
marijuana infrastructure, said Catherine Lewis, board chairwoman of 
Medical Marijuana Caregivers of Maine. She said the issue will be 
addressed during a members-only meeting at Home Grown on Sunday that 
will include factions for and against the referendum.

"The fear is still there that people are working to disassemble the 
medical program or corner the market," she said.

Adults 21 and older would be allowed to possess up to 2.5 ounces of 
marijuana if Maine's referendum passes.

The measure almost didn't make it onto the ballot, but in April 
Maine's chief justice removed a legal hurdle to allow a review of 
referendum petitions to resume. Secretary of State Matthew Dunlap 
then ruled that the petitioners had enough signatures.
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MAP posted-by: Jay Bergstrom