Initiative to Legalize Recreational Cannabis Filed in Maine, Advocates Aim for 2016 Vote
An initiative
to legalize the possession, personal cultivation and state-licensed distribution of cannabis for recreational purposes has been filed in Maine, with the goal of putting the proposal to a vote of the people in 2016.
The initiative, sponsored by the Marijuana Policy Project (MPP), is essentially identical to Colorado’s successful legalization initiative Amendment 64. It would legalize the possession of up to an ounce of cannabis and the personal cultivation of up to six plants. In addition, it would authorize cannabis retail outlets to distribute the plant, which would be licensed and regulated by the state.
Cannabis sales would be subject to a ten percent tax on top of the state’s standard sales tax, and the first $30 million in tax revenue would be used for school construction; additional revenue would go to the General Fund.
Advocates have to collect roughly 61,000 valid signatures to put the initiative on the 2016 general election ballot.
Last month the organization Legalize Maine filed a separate legalization initiative, with the same goal of putting the issue to a vote in 2016.
– TheJointBlog