Maine Marijuana Legalization Likely to Pass: Polls

AUGUSTA, ME — The Pine Tree State could become a whole lot more green Tuesday.

Recent polls show Maine voters on Election Day will likely pass Question 1, a statewide referendum initiative to legalize marijuana and allow retail sales.

Maine is one of five states voting on similar marijuana legalization initiatives Tuesday. The others are Massachusetts, California, Nevada, and Arizona.

A poll released Oct. 30 by the University of New Hampshire and Portland Press Herald showed 50 percent of likely Maine voters in favor of legalization, 41 percent opposed, and 9 percent undecided. That poll showed support for legalization has dropped slightly compared to an April poll by the Maine People's Resource Center that showed 54 percent in favor and 42 percent opposed.

Recent polls in Massachusetts also show a majority support legalization. Maine and Massachusetts would become the first East Coast states to legalize marijuana and its retail sale if voters approve the initiatives.

Maine Gov. Paul LePage opposes legalization, warning it will have "deadly consequences."

LePage said marijuana use impairs drivers — leading to deadly crashes — and said marijuana users are also likely to use heroin.

"We do not need to legalize another drug that could lead to more deaths," LePage said in a statement last month.

LePage also said edible marijuana snacks "could kill children and pets."

"People will smoke marijuana in pot stores right next to schools, day care centers, and churches," LePage said. "They will smoke weed and sell pot at state fairs."

The group Mainers Protecting Our Youth and Communities also opposes legalization.

The pro-legalization side has been led by the Campaign to Regulate Marijuana Like Alcohol. The group says legalizing marijuana will "replace a dangerous underground market with a system of licensed businesses," raise millions in tax revenue, and create thousands of jobs.

Question 1 asks Maine voters:

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?

If passed, it would allow adults to buy up to 2 ½ ounces of marijuana. It would also allow marijuana social clubs.

Marijuana remains illegal under federal law.

• Full text: Maine Marijuana Legalization Act (click to open .doc file)

More: Election Day Could Be Landmark Moment in U.S. for Marijuana Legalization

See also: Augusta Voter Guide 2016

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