2016 Maine Question 1

Citizen-initiated referendum to legalize marijuana Cannabis in Maine Question 1: Citizen Initiative An Act To Legalize Marijuana 381,768 377,773 771,661 File:2016 Maine Question 1 Results By County.svg County County results Yes #B6C8D9 50–60% 1px #AAAAAA solid No #BCBC83 60–70% 1px #AAAAAA solid #DEDEBD 50–60% 1px #AAAAAA solid Maine Question 1, formally An Act to Legalize Marijuana,Maine Citizen's Guide to the Referendum Election https://www1.maine.gov/sos/cec/elec/upcoming/citizensguide2016.pdf November 8, 2016 maine.gov is a citizen-initiated referendum question that qualified for the Maine November 8, 2016 statewide ballot. It was qualified for the ballot after a Maine Superior Court judge ordered that petitions rejected by the Maine Secretary of State be reconsidered. The proposal sought to legalize the recreational use of marijuana in Maine for those over the age of 21, and institute a 10 percent tax on its sale. As the Maine Legislature and Governor Paul LePage declined to enact the proposal as written, it appeared on the ballot along with elections for President of the United States, Maine's two U.S. House seats, the Legislature, other statewide ballot questions, and various local elections. According to uncertified results, the referendum passed by 50.3% to 49.7%, a margin of under 5,000 votes. On November 10, two days after the election, the Associated Press called the result in favor of the "Yes" vote.Marijuana to become legal in Maine; Question 1 passes with narrow margin Patrick Whittle Associated Press Sun-Journal Lewiston, Maine http://m.sunjournal.com/news/maine/2016/11/10/maine-question-1-results-hinge-overseas-ballots/2027660 September 2019 InternetArchiveBot yes However, opponents of the measure requested a recount and then withdrew their request on December 17.Opponents push for recount over outcome of Maine’s recreational marijuana voteQuimby Beth Opponents drop recount effort, acknowledge that Maine voters approved legalized marijuana http://www.pressherald.com/2016/12/17/no-on-1-withdraws-marijuana-legalization-recount-request/ The Portland Press-Herald 17 December 2016 MaineToday Media 9 March 2017 After the partially completed recount, the results were certified as 381,768 in favor and 377,773 opposed.Tabulations for Elections held in 2016 http://www.maine.gov/sos/cec/elec/results/results16-17.html#tally Bureau of Corporations, Elections & Commissions Maine Department of the Secretary of State 9 March 2017 26 January 2017 https://web.archive.org/web/20170126194830/http://www.maine.gov/sos/cec/elec/results/results16-17.html#tally dead As of 2024, Question 1's results remain the narrowest margin of victory for any successful marijuana legalization measure in U.S. history. Background The passage of ballot measures in Colorado and Washington in 2012 which legalize marijuana has led to efforts across the United States to do so. The use of marijuana for medical purposes has been legal in Maine since 1999.http://wgme.com/news/local/mainers-poised-to-vote-on-marijuana-legalization-in-november Mainers poised to vote on marijuana legalization in November WGME 2016-04-18 2016-11-30 Attempts by the Maine Legislature to legalize recreational marijuana have not succeeded, including one effort to put the question directly onto the ballot.http://bangordailynews.com/2013/06/07/politics/bill-to-schedule-statewide-vote-on-marijuana-legalization-falls-by-4-votes-in-maine-house/?ref=relatedBox Bill to schedule statewide vote on marijuana legalization falls by 4 votes in Maine House — Politics — Bangor Daily News — BDN Maine Bangordailynews.com 2013-06-07 2016-11-30 Some success in legalization has been seen at the local level, with Portland legalizing recreational use in 2013 by a wide margin.Posted November 5, 2013 http://www.pressherald.com/2013/11/05/portland_could_set_precedent_with_marijuana_vote/ Portland voters legalize marijuana - The Portland Press Herald / Maine Sunday Telegram Pressherald.com 2013-11-05 2016-11-30 It has also been legalized in South Portland but a legalization effort in Lewiston failed. Petitions for two separate groups to collect signatures to place a ballot measure on the 2016 ballot were issued by the Maine Secretary of State's Office, one on April 28, 2015 to a group called Legalize Maine, and another on June 3, 2016 to the Campaign to Regulate Marijuana Like Alcohol, which is affiliated with the Marijuana Policy Project.http://www.maine.gov/sos/cec/elec/citizens/index.html Bureau of Corporations, Elections & Commissions Maine.gov 2016-11-30 The two proposals were similar but Legalize Maine's was more permissible, legalizing up to 2.5 oz. for use by those 21 and older, as opposed to only 1 oz. under the MPP's proposal. It also called for a 10 percent tax on marijuana. Legalize Maine promoted their proposal as "home grown".Cousins Christopher http://bangordailynews.com/2014/11/18/politics/second-group-forms-to-push-2016-marijuana-legalization-referendum-in-maine/ Second group forms to push 2016 marijuana legalization referendum in Maine — Politics — Bangor Daily News — BDN Maine Bangordailynews.com 2014-11-18 2016-11-30http://news.mpbn.net/post/recreational-pot-measure-headed-maine-ballot#stream/0 Recreational Pot Measure Headed for Maine Ballot | Maine Public News.mpbn.net 2016-04-29 2016-11-30 2016-08-11 https://web.archive.org/web/20160811161317/http://news.mpbn.net/post/recreational-pot-measure-headed-maine-ballot#stream/0 dead The two groups agreed to combine their efforts on October 26, 2015 and coalesce behind Legalize Maine's proposal, so that there would only be one legalization effort.Shepherd Michael http://bangordailynews.com/2015/10/26/politics/maine-marijuana-legalization-groups-agree-to-work-together/?ref=relatedBox Maine marijuana legalization groups agree to work together — Politics — Bangor Daily News — BDN Maine Bangordailynews.com 2015-10-26 2016-11-30 An effort by State Rep. Mark Dion (D-Portland) to pass a bill legalizing marijuana failed on June 22, 2015, largely because legislators did not want to undercut the petition gathering effort. Dion had felt that the Legislature should get out in front on this issue to avoid having to fix a poorly written referendum proposal later.Moretto Mario http://bangordailynews.com/2015/06/22/politics/maine-legislature-soundly-rejects-marijuana-legalization-bills/?ref=relatedBox Maine lawmakers soundly reject marijuana legalization bills — Politics — Bangor Daily News — BDN Maine Bangordailynews.com 2015-06-22 2016-11-30 Supporters of legalization turned in 99,929 signatures to Secretary of State Matthew Dunlap on February 1, 2016. A small group protested those delivering the signatures outside the Secretary's Office, objecting to out of state groups being involved in the legalization effort.Shepherd Michael http://stateandcapitol.bangordailynews.com/2016/02/01/signatures-stream-into-augusta-on-2016-referendum-deadline-day/ Signatures stream into Augusta on 2016 referendum deadline day | State & Capitol Stateandcapitol.bangordailynews.com 2016-02-01 2016-11-30Cousins Christopher http://bangordailynews.com/2016/03/02/politics/elections/citizen-petition-for-maine-marijuana-legalization-fails/ Citizen petition for Maine marijuana legalization fails — Politics — Bangor Daily News — BDN Maine Bangordailynews.com 2016-03-02 2016-11-30 Status of petitions Dunlap announced on March 2, 2016 that the petition gathering effort had failed and the issue did not qualify for the ballot. He stated that his office could only validate 51,543 signatures, well below the 61,123 required to get to the ballot. 13,525 signatures were rejected as not belonging to registered Maine voters, and a smaller number was rejected for various other errors. The largest number of signatures rejected, 31,338, was due to signatures of a notary public and petition circulators who signed the oaths on the petitions not matching those on file with the Secretary of State's Office. Dunlap stated that "We’re not saying any malfeasance was or wasn’t done, that’s not up to us to determine. Our goal isn’t to invalidate signatures. The goal is to make sure they are valid." Supporters immediately announced that they would appeal the decision to Maine Superior Court, stating that "we sincerely hope that 17,000-plus Maine citizens will not be disenfranchised due to a handwriting technicality."https://www.usnews.com/news/articles/2016-03-03/one-persons-handwriting-derails-maine-pot-legalization-initiative March 3, 2016 One Person's Handwriting Derails Maine Pot Legalization Initiative US News Steven Nelson One of the notaries in question, Stavros Mendros, publicly stated that he had signed the petitions but that given the sheer volume of papers he had to sign in a short amount of time, which he claimed was almost 15,000 papers, it would be almost impossible for him to write his signature exactly the same each time. The Portland Press Herald obtained copies of petitions and sent them to independent handwriting experts who stated that in their opinion the signatures were all within natural variations in handwriting and were likely from the same person. Supporters also criticized Dunlap's office for not using handwriting experts or discussing their concerns with supporters to validate the signatures.Posted April 3 http://www.pressherald.com/2016/04/03/maine-ballot-question-on-legalizing-pot-hinges-on-signatures-like-these/ State's rejection of pot petition signatures may be tough to defend, Telegram analysis suggests - The Portland Press Herald / Maine Sunday Telegram 3 April 2016 Pressherald.com 2016-11-30 Judge Michaela Murphy ruled on April 8, 2016 that the rejected petitions should be reinstated for consideration. In her opinion, Murphy stated that Dunlap had committed an error of law by applying an "overly burdensome" interpretation of the law. Murphy explained that signatures gathering and oath administration are often done under less than ideal conditions and that requiring perfect signature reproduction on each form signed was unreasonable.TEGNA http://www.wcsh6.com/news/local/augusta-waterville/judge-forces-state-to-re-examine-marijuana-legalization-signatures-/126337010 Judge forces State to re-examine marijuana legalization signatures WCSH6.com 2016-04-08 2016-11-30 March 2023 InternetArchiveBot yes Cousins Christopher http://bangordailynews.com/2016/04/08/politics/judge-overturns-maine-marijuana-ballot-question-denial/ Judge overturns Maine marijuana ballot question denial — Politics — Bangor Daily News — BDN Maine Bangordailynews.com 2016-04-08 2016-11-30 Dunlap announced on April 13 that he had declined to appeal the decision and would begin re-reviewing the previously rejected petitions.Shepherd Michael http://bangordailynews.com/2016/04/13/politics/state-house/maine-marijuana-legalization-question-clears-another-hurdle/?ref=relatedBox State declines appeal, raising ballot hopes for legal pot in Maine — Politics — Bangor Daily News — BDN Maine Bangordailynews.com 2016-04-13 2016-11-30 Dunlap announced on April 27 that about 11,000 previously invalidated signatures were found to be valid, which meant that the referendum qualified for the ballot. The proposal went to the Legislature for consideration, but they declined to approve it and sent it to the ballot. The question will appear on the ballot as "Do you want to allow the possession and use of marijuana under state law by persons who are at least 21 years of age, and allow the cultivation, manufacture, distribution, testing, and sale of marijuana and marijuana products subject to state regulation, taxation and local ordinance?"http://stateandcapitol.bangordailynews.com/2016/06/23/maine-secretary-of-state-revises-wording-of-all-five-november-ballot-questions/ Maine secretary of state revises wording of all five November ballot questions Bangor Daily News June 23, 2016 June 23, 2016 Campaign Maine Attorney General Janet Mills expressed concern that the law as written would legalize marijuana use for all ages, calling the language of the bill "troublesome".http://www.wcsh6.com/news/local/maine-ag-fears-q1-could-let-minors-possess-marijuana/335793010 Maine AG fears Q1 could let minors possess marijuana October 13, 2016 October 13, 2016March 2023 InternetArchiveBot yes Notable endorsements Supporters ACLU of Mainehttps://www.regulatemaine.org/#feature-panel-3 Regulate Maine 2016-10-06 2016-10-09 https://web.archive.org/web/20161009203745/https://www.regulatemaine.org/#feature-panel-3 dead Marijuana Policy Project Eric Brakey, Republican State Senator Mark Dion, State Representative (D-Portland), former Cumberland County Sheriff David Miramant, Democratic State Senator Diane Russell, State Representative (D-Portland) Ryan Fecteau, State Representative (D-Biddeford) Brian Hubbell, State Representative (D-Bar Harbor) Larry Dunphy, State Representative (I-Embden) Matt Moonen, State Representative (D-Portland) Deane Rykerson, State Representative (D-Kittery) Scott Hamman, State Representative (D-South Portland) Peter Stucky, State Representative (D-Portland) MaineToday Media newspapers; Portland Press Herald, Kennebec Journal, Morning SentinelThe Editorial Board http://www.pressherald.com/2016/10/20/our-view-maine-needs-rational-pot-policy-so-vote-yes-on-question-1/ Our View: Maine needs rational pot policy, so vote 'yes' on Question 1 - The Portland Press Herald / Maine Sunday Telegram 20 October 2016 Pressherald.com 2016-11-30 Opponents American Automobile AssociationMario Moretto http://www.northernnewengland.aaa.com/home/about/community-and-safety/cannabis.html?zip=04330&stateprov=me&city=augusta&devicecd=PC&referer=www.aaa.com A DANGEROUS MIX October 6, 2016 October 6, 2016 October 9, 2016 https://web.archive.org/web/20161009152959/http://www.northernnewengland.aaa.com/home/about/community-and-safety/cannabis.html?zip=04330&stateprov=me&city=augusta&devicecd=PC&referer=www.aaa.com dead Paul LePage, Governor of MaineMario Moretto http://stateandcapitol.bangordailynews.com/2014/08/07/lepage-state-should-take-children-from-drug-users-who-wont-enter-rehab/ LePage: State should take children from drug-users who won't enter rehab August 7, 2014 August 7, 2014 August 10, 2014 https://web.archive.org/web/20140810164215/http://stateandcapitol.bangordailynews.com/2014/08/07/lepage-state-should-take-children-from-drug-users-who-wont-enter-rehab/ dead Walt Whitcomb, Commissioner of the Maine Department of AgricultureAssociated Press http://www.centralmaine.com/2016/11/01/maine-agriculture-chief-opposesl-legalization-of-marijuana/ Maine agriculture chief opposes legalizing marijuana November 2016 Central Maine 2016-11-30 Smart Approaches to Marijuana Maine Public Health Associationhttp://www.notonmymainestreet.com/whos-with-us.html Who's With Us? October 6, 2016 October 9, 2016 https://web.archive.org/web/20161009123845/http://www.notonmymainestreet.com/whos-with-us.html dead Maine Hospital Association Maine Medical Association Maine Association of School Nurses Maine State Chamber of Commerce Alliance for Addiction and Mental Health Services, Maine National Alliance on Mental Illness Maine Maine Chiefs of Police Association Bangor Region Chamber of Commerce Maine State Police Aroostook Substance Abuse Prevention Cumberland County Sheriffs Office Yarmouth Police Department Cumberland Police Department Concerned Women for America of Maine Falmouth Police Department Christian Civic League of Maine Dixfield Police Department Bangor Daily Newshttp://bangordailynews.com/2016/10/14/opinion/editorials/no-on-1-its-not-in-maines-best-interests-to-make-it-easier-to-access-marijuana/ No on 1. It's not in Maine's best interests to make it easier to access marijuana 14 October 2016 October 14, 2016 Ellsworth AmericanWednesday - Nov 30, 2016 http://www.ellsworthamerican.com/opinions/say-no-question-1/ Say "no" to Question 1 - The Ellsworth AmericanThe Ellsworth American Ellsworthamerican.com 2016-09-09 2016-11-30 Public opinion Public opinion on the legalization of recreational marijuana in Maine Poll source Date(s)administered Samplesize Margin oferror % support % opposition % Undecided/Don't Know Portland Press Herald/UNH Survey Center October 20–25, 2016 663 LV ± 3.8% 50% 41% 9% Portland Press Herald/UNH Survey Center September 15–20, 2016 505 LV ± 4.3% 53% 38% 9% Maine People's Resource Center March 5–8, 2016 557 LV ± 4.15% 54% 42% 4% Critical Insights March 4–10, 2016 610 AV N/A 55% 41% 4% Recount On 5 December 2016 the state of Maine called for an official recount of the ballots regarding Question 1, a process expected to take a month or more and cost up to $500,000. The International Business Times reported that governor Paul LePage said: ... he would be taking up the issue with president-elect Donald Trump to find out if the incoming administration would enforce federal laws prohibiting legal marijuana use. However, if Trump decides to keep cannabis laws at the state level, LePage said he would accept the law.Janice Williams http://www.ibtimes.com/recreational-marijuana-2016-maine-vote-recount-question-1-begins-2455230 Recreational Marijuana 2016: Maine Vote Recount On Question 1 Begins 5 December 2016 Ibtimes.com 2016-12-06 By December 16, around 30% of all ballots cast had been recounted, including those from Maine's largest city of Portland without any notable change in the results.Thistle Scott Outcome unchanged as recount on marijuana referendum is suspended until the new year http://www.pressherald.com/2016/12/16/recount-on-marijuana-ballot-suspended-until-after-the-new-year/ The Portland Press-Herald 16 December 2016 MaineToday Media 9 March 2017 The recount was ordered suspended until after January 1, and the No on 1 campaign filled out the requisite paperwork to formally cancel the recount one day later. Results Election night Question 1 Election Night Results 381692 377619 71.74 1058444REGISTERED & ENROLLED VOTERS - STATEWIDE http://www.maine.gov/sos/cec/elec/data/r-e-active.pdf Bureau of Corporations, Elections & Commissions Maine Department of the Secretary of State 9 March 2017 7 February 2019 https://web.archive.org/web/20190207011053/https://www.maine.gov/sos/cec/elec/data/r-e-active.pdf dead After recount +Question 1 Results after Partial Recount County Yes Votes No VotesAndroscoggin48.37%27,37451.63%29,217Aroostook36.72%13,01563.28%22,433Cumberland55.21%96,14644.79%78,014Franklin50.46%8,52349.54%8,366Hancock50.59%16,47649.41%16,090Kennebec46.45%31,18653.55%35,960Knox51.88%12,16248.12%11,281Lincoln49.68%10,87050.32%11,009Oxford50.21%16,02849.79%15,897Penobscot45.64%37,33054.36%44,466Piscataquis44.26%4,15055.74%5,226Sagadahoc52.82%11,66047.18%10,413Somerset45.80%12,12054.20%14,345Waldo48.35%11,12951.65%11,889Washington47.80%8,00352.20%8,739York54.04%62,82445.96%53,438UOCAVA73.68%2,77226.32%990Total50.26%381,76849.74%377,773 See also Cannabis in the United States Colorado Amendment 64 Washington Initiative 502 References External links Campaign to Regulate Marijuana Like Alcohol https://web.archive.org/web/20161009203745/https://www.regulatemaine.org/ 2016-10-09 , supporters of the initiative Mainers Protecting our Youth and Communities https://web.archive.org/web/20161009124448/http://www.notonmymainestreet.com/ 2016-10-09 , opponents of the initiative Category:Cannabis in Maine Category:2016 cannabis law reform Category:Cannabis ballot measures in the United States Category:2016 Maine ballot measures