Supporters of a referendum to legalize marijuana in Maine say they're suing over rejected petitions that will keep the proposal off the ballot.

Marijuana
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The Campaign to Regulate Marijuana Like Alcohol disputes a decision by election officials to reject 17,000 signatures because a single notary's signature did not match the signature on file with the state. That notary is Stavros J. Mendros. He’s a former lawmaker from Lewiston who was hired to help gather signatures.

David Boyer from the group said previously 17,000 registered voters shouldn't be disenfranchised because of a "handwriting technicality." Lawsuit details were expected Thursday afternoon.

The campaign needed 61,123 signatures, and it turned in 99,229 signatures. But only 51,543 signatures were deemed to be valid.

The campaign would've made it legal for adults to possess up to 2¼ ounces of marijuana and to grow a small number of plants.

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