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Cannabis in Maine is legal for recreational use. It was originally prohibited in 1913. Possession of small amounts of the drug was decriminalized in 1976 under state legislation passed the previous year. The state's first medical cannabis law was passed in 1999,[1] allowing patients to grow their own plants.[2] The cities of Portland and South Portland decriminalized the possession and recreational use of marijuana in 2013 and 2014, respectively.
In 2016, a ballot initiative, Question 1, proposed the statewide legalization of marijuana use and sale. With all precincts reporting, the results showed a "Yes" vote passing by less than 1 percentage point.[3] However, opponents of the measure sought a recount.[4] Opponents of the measure conceded their effort on December 17, after the recount showed no change in the outcome and that the legalization of cannabis in Maine would go forward.[5]
- ^ Medical marijuana in Maine
- ^ DHHS wants to tighten reins on Maine's small medical marijuana
- ^ Maine Question 1 — Legalize Marijuana — Results: Approved, New York Times (last updated November 12, 2016 at 1:22 PM ET).
- ^ Maine marijuana opponents take out recount papers, Associated Press (November 11, 2016).
- ^ Question 1 recount finds no change; clears way for marijuana legalization in Maine, WGME Portland News (December 21, 2016).