Maine Legislators Will Come Across Big Marijuana Decision in the Next Session

December 19, 2017 Maine

Adult-use cannabis is going to get legalized from February 1, 2018 in spite of the fact that the state legislators have been unsuccessful to formulate the regulation and licensing measures this year. Therefore, it is expected that the first session of the coming year will see cannabis legislation as the main topic of discussion in the state’s legislature.

Paul LePage, the Republican governor of the state, is already bothered with lawmaker’s procrastination and careless behavior in devising a legalization structure in place. 2018 will be his last full year in the office and he has already warned that he will not ratify the expansion of MMJ operations and legalized sales of adult-use cannabis until legislators accomplish his demands. The session of state’s legislator is scheduled for January 2018.

Republican governor Paul LePage – Image powered by Nymag.com

Technically speaking, the sales of adult-use cannabis is all set to get legalized from February 1, despite the fact that one can’t acquire necessary licensing because of the lackluster conduct of legislators who can’t assemble a regulatory framework. Lawmakers will get another chance to do the needed review and make amendments in the approved legalization bill from the previous year.

Drew Gattine, a Democratic representative from the state criticized the collective laziness of the legislature. He says that we are living in strange times where possessing cannabis has become legal but selling it is still considered an illegal thing. He is of the opinion that not allowing legalized sales of recreational marijuana on time will only benefit the black market.

Teresa Pierce, another Democratic Representative from Maine, thinks the committee of lawmakers worked on a fruitless cannabis reform will try their best to get a compromise bill endorsed.

Republican leader of the House Kenneth Fredette – Image powered by Mainepublic.org

On the other hand, Republican lawmakers are striving to get the existing moratorium on the sales of adult-use cannabis extended. Kenneth Fredette, Republican leader of the House has voiced the collective opinion of the Republican legislators on extending the ban on legalized sales. If lawmakers are unable to get a compromise bill passed, then there are high chances that the moratorium on legalized sales will get extension from the governor.

LePage has mentioned in his talk to press that he also needs reassurance from the federal administration prior to establish a new cannabis market. He has also said that without fixing the glitches of existing bill, we can’t move forward with legalized sales of recreational cannabis. He also insinuates that delay in the recreational marijuana sales will direct more people to get medical cannabis.

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