AUGUSTA, ME — Bipartisan lawmakers in Maine have filed a bill that would delay most of the implementation of Question 1, which legalized marijuana in Maine, by over a year.
The bill, House Bill 88, was introduced Wednesday by state Rep. Louis Luchini (D-Ellsworth) and Senate President Michael Thibodeau (R-Winterport).
The proposal would delay the implementation of most of Question 1 until February 1, 2018, including establishing a framework for a retail cannabis industry in the state, licencing of dispensaries, and possession of marijuana edibles by adults.
Proponents of the measure, which was approved by voters in November and successfully defeated a recount challenge by opponents, say lawmakers are “thumbing their nose at voters” by proposing the delay.
“Question 1 has nine months built-in to give regulators the time they need to craft responsible rules for legal marijuana sales. These politicians are clearly thumbing their nose at voters by proposing Maine delay this process before it has even started,” said David Boyer, Maine political director for the Marijuana Policy Project.
Personal possession of up to 2 1/2 ounces of marijuana will still become legal for adults later this month, but the bill prohibits adults from possessing edibles until February 2018.
As of January 30, adults 21 or older will be allowed to:
- Use, possess or transport up to 2 1/2 ounces of marijuana;
- Transfer, without remuneration, up to 2 1/2 ounces of marijuana and up to 6 immature plants or seedlings to a person who is 21 years of age or older;
- Possess, grow, cultivate or transport up to 6 flowering marijuana plants, 12 immature plants and unlimited seedlings and possess all of the marijuana produced by the plants at the person’s residence;
- Consume marijuana in a private residence.
The bill also makes the possession of marijuana by a minor a crime, unless they are authorized to possess marijuana for medical use.
HB 88, which can be read in full here, was filed as an emergency bill which would allow it go into effect immediately if at least two-thirds of the members in each chamber of the legislature approve it.
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