Maine Governor Veto's Marijuana Regulation Bill, Upheld by House

Couple days old, but why not

Maine's governor vetoes marijuana bill - Nov. 3, 2017

Maine House upholds Paul LePage?s veto of recreational marijuana regulations - Lewiston Sun Journal

LePage justifying his decision:

"Until I clearly understand how the federal government intends to treat states that seek to legalize marijuana, I cannot in good conscience support any scheme in state law to implement expansion of legal marijuana in Maine," he said, in a letter to state lawmakers. "We need assurances that a change in policy or administration at the federal level will not nullify those investments."

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States with legal industries have been the target of zero federal legal actions. Jeff Ima****ingelf Sessions has expressed his desire to stamp out Marijuana completely, but has failed to take any action. He failed to secure funding for any action against medical laws. He's really up to his pointy ears in fail. The ballot question only passed by .6%, so I understand the governors hesitation, but citing concerns over federal interference is a thin excuse.

Rebuttal from NORML:

Erik Altieri, spokesman for the pro-legalization organization NORML, said LePage's veto "is just the latest in a line of anti-democratic attacks coming from his office and his stonewalling will only ensure the prolonged existence of a criminal black market in Maine and deny the state coffers of needed tax revenue."

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While I understand this man has an agenda he's pushing, he makes a good point about the black market and tax revenue. In a state with huge .... *motions with hands* tracks o' land, enforcement is nigh impossible and most people know at least 1 person with a garden.

Maine is also a state where work is extremely hard to find. A legal marijuana industry would generate jobs in a place where they're sorely needed. As it stands, it's an attractive source of illicit income for anyone with a green thumb and access to a secluded location.

From the second link:

The bill was the result of more than nine months of work by a special committee tasked with implementing the law that voters narrowly approved last November, putting Maine among the eight states and the District of Columbia that had legalized the adult use of marijuana. The 74-62 vote Monday fell 17 votes short of the two-thirds margin required to overturn LePage’s veto.

The path forward for the ballot-box law remains unclear, with the current moratorium on recreational sales expiring Feb. 1. The Legislature reconvenes in January and could pass legislation then, but it’s uncertain whether the political dynamic will change enough in the next two months for an implementation law to be passed or the moratorium to be extended. If neither occurs, the ballot box law would take effect, a prospect that some lawmakers find alarming.

“I feel like we legalized gasoline, but not gas stations,” said Rep. Martin Grohman, a Biddeford independent.

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"Until I clearly understand how the federal government intends to treat states that seek to legalize marijuana, I cannot in good conscience support any scheme in state law to implement expansion of legal marijuana in Maine," he said, in a letter to state lawmakers. "We need assurances that a change in policy or administration at the federal level will not nullify those investments."

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Hmmm...so what's the Fed done to/with Colorado? California? Washington? Oregon? Nevada? Alaska?

This is a lame-ass excuse. He should be far more creative in his excuse making.

I think the Governor has a point.

I'm pretty sure that in Colorado and other legal states, medical model or recreational, the banks cite federal regulations in their refusal to allow licensed growers and dealers to use the banking system.

And of course the sitting AG wants to start enforcing federal law for a new 'drug war' under his perverted guidance.

Thoreau72 said:

I think the Governor has a point.

I'm pretty sure that in Colorado and other legal states, medical model or recreational, the banks cite federal regulations in their refusal to allow licensed growers and dealers to use the banking system.

And of course the sitting AG wants to start enforcing federal law for a new 'drug war' under his perverted guidance.

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Thats been an issue in a couple different arenas. I work in MA. Several people I know here who grow can't purchase seeds online because card companies refuse to facilitate the transaction. Local cannabis related events are having trouble pre-selling tickets for the same reason. I get the impression this is due to the stance the financial industry has taken on the federal/state law conflicts more than anything specific that the federal government has done.

Marijuana prohibition is becoming a tangled mess because federal law hasn't changed in decades, yet public opinion has swung so drastically that changes at the state level are happening across the country, and more are being temporarily held back solely through the power of government.

Elsa said:

Dear Federal Government, it's time to Let It Go!

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shagg said:

Thats been an issue in a couple different arenas. I work in MA. Several people I know here who grow can't purchase seeds online because card companies refuse to facilitate the transaction. Local cannabis related events are having trouble pre-selling tickets for the same reason. I get the impression this is due to the stance the financial industry has taken on the federal/state law conflicts more than anything specific that the federal government has done.

Marijuana prohibition is becoming a tangled mess because federal law hasn't changed in decades, yet public opinion has swung so drastically that changes at the state level are happening across the country, and more are being temporarily held back solely through the power of government.

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From what I understand, the DEA can raid the banks and take any money known or assumed to be "drug money." Its why medical marijuana companies, veterinarians and doctors have a hard time with this and almost always use cash only if they deal with MJ.. It cant be traced back to what someone bought. Its still a schedule 1 drug on the federal level and if they decided the DEA can override states and come in and raid. It hasnt happened other than a few pot shops in CO but it could anytime.

**** him.


Let businesses make their gambles. And I think it's relatively clear to the federal government at this point that while they'll get only scorn for doing nothing, certain people who don't catch hell will catch a lot of it if Trump/Sessions starts going after all these states.

Of all drugs, Marijuana legalization/decriminalization should garner the most support from conservatives who are truly "small government conservatives", plus libertarians.



Oh right. Plus rational and pragmatic people.