Maine Lawmakers Seek Public Forum on Marijuana Legalization

Lawmakers in Maine want to see what the public wants in regards to recreational marijuana in the state. A meeting was scheduled for February 28 to take public commentary. A 17-member panel called the Committee on Marijuana Legalization Implementation was formed to aid in crafting proper rules and regulations for the new industry.

The committee is also charged with reviewing dozens of pending marijuana-related bills hanging in the state Legislature, according to Portland Press Herald. The informal hearing was scheduled to obtain feedback before moving forward on the lengthy bill review process. The review process is expected to last at least through the summer.

Senator Roger Katz said, “We want to hear from stakeholders and members of the public on a wide range of questions including how to best protect public safety, how to regulate growers, producers and sellers, how to tax the substance, how the law will affect the workplace and more.”

Representative Teresa Pierce said, “Now that the referendum to legalize marijuana in Maine has passed, the goal of the Joint Select Committee and the entire Legislature is to make sure we implement its legalization in the most responsible manner possible; hearing from stakeholders is one of the first steps in this important process.”

Regulations regarding instructions for law enforcement officials in regards to handling marijuana-related stops will also need to be discussed.