Maine Legislature May Pause Marijuana Sales Till February 2018

A bill has been introduced to state lawmakers that would extend the moratorium on legal recreational marijuana sales until February 2018. The voter-approved law already included a 9-month moratorium, but some legislators say they need more time to determine regulations.

The bill, LD 88, was introduced by Representative Louis Luchini, according to WLBZ News. Some questions are stirring regarding regulations included in the voter-approved measure. One question in particular is clarification for those under 21 not being permitted to possess or use recreational marijuana.

Luchini said, “It’s good for us to just put a few safeguards in place now so that when personal possession, cultivation, transfer become legal at the end of this month that we will be adequately protected.”

Those not in favor of the moratorium extension declare that 90 extra days to clarify age limits is excessive.

Legalize Maine president Paul McCarrier said, “Bill Belichick would say come in and do your job. You don’t need five quarters to win a football game.”

LD 88 would also ban recreational marijuana edibles sales, but you could make your own at home since that will be legal.

Scott Gagnon of Mainers Protecting our Youth and Communities said, “The legislature’s going to need more information and research about what went well and what didn’t go well in Colorado to make sure we have – from the get-go – good, strong, strict regulations that keep edibles out of the hands of kids.”

In response, McCarrier said, “It’s a moot point. There are no retail edibles until the state actually licenses these retail marijuana establishments.”

As the time draws closer to recreational marijuana use being permitted in Maine, those that remain in opposition also want use in your backyard restricted. This, however, may be stepping too far since it would still be considered to be someone’s “private residence”.

David Boyer of Marijuana Policy Project said, “We oppose this attempt to delay the implementation of Question 1. For any potential change to the will of the voters, this legislature must do the necessary due diligence and that is not the case with LD 88, which creates ambiguity around the timeline for the implementation.”

A vote on LD 88 may happen as soon as Thursday.