Is Maine Ready to Legalize Marijuana?

A bill was introduced this week by Representative Diane Russell (D-Portland) that is calling for the legalization of recreational use of marijuana in the state of Maine. But is the state ready for that?

Currently it’s legal for people to use and buy medical marijuana, but Russell believes our state should take it a step further.  Colorado and Washington are the first two states to legalize marijuana and Russell says our state is also ready to do the same.

‘I believe the culture has shifted dramatically in the last several years, and now I think politicians are ready to tackle this issue,’ Russell said. ‘The federal government is probably going to take some actions as well whether it’s regarding medical marijuana or full legalization.’

If the use of marijuana is fully legalized, Russell thinks that will help resolve several pressing issues Mainers deal with on daily basis. She says that full legalization will eliminate the black market and the state will be able to bring in $8 million in sales tax revenue.

‘We can free up our law enforcement professionals to focus on issues that are really devastating to communities particularly some of the rural communities,’ Russell said. ‘Such as prescription drugs like Oxycontin, so I think our law enforcement can focus on that.’

According to Russell the state can save up to $20 million a year by decriminalizing marijuana related offenses. Since medical marijuana has been legalized in Maine close to 700 jobs have been created to support this new stream of revenue.

However, the federal government still considers marijuana an illegal drug, which means that the federal government can interfere with state marijuana regulations. Recently the state allowed subsidized housing tenants to grow and use medical marijuana in their homes, but the federal government objected stating that marijuana use is illegal and that the state government can lose federal funds.

Russell says that when she talks to constituents about the current marijuana laws the majority is anonymous.

‘People are waiting for (legalization) it to happen,’ Russell said.

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