Poll Shows Majority Support Maine’s Marijuana Legalization Act

Maine voters have the chance to be the first state in New England to legalize recreational marijuana. Question 1 would legalize recreational marijuana for personal use for adults over age 21 and allow them to possess up to 2.5 ounces of marijuana.

Maine’s Question 1 would also allow adults over age 21 to possess six mature and 12 immature plants at a time, according to VICE. There would be no limit to the number of seedlings that each individual could possess. If passed, Question 1 would take effect 30-days after the election results become official.

Recreational marijuana would be taxed at a rate of 10 percent. Tax dollars and assorted fees collected from marijuana business owners would fund police training programs for the marijuana industry and aid the funding of other state government programs. Maine’s Local Government Fund would receive 2 percent of marijuana tax dollars and fees.

An estimate supplied by the Maine Office of Fiscal and Program Review shows that marijuana sales could generate $2.8 million in sales tax alone in the first year. It is estimated that the figure would grow to $10.7 million annually for the years ahead. The duties of regulating the marijuana program would be given to the Maine Department of Agriculture, Conservation and Forestry.

Regulations for licensing marijuana businesses would be required within 9 months of Question 1’s passage. All individual cities and towns would also have to approve any marijuana businesses for their jurisdiction before licenses will be issued.

Although, even with Question 1’s passage, use of marijuana in non-public places would still be prohibited and could result in a $100 fine. Question 1 fails to expand on what “non-public places” refers to.

The Portland Press Herald released poll results on Halloween revealing that 50 percent of likely voters support and 41 percent oppose Question 1.

Maine’s Governor, Paul LePage, opposes it.