New Maine Marijuana Bill Would Jack Up Taxes And Restrict Social Clubs

AUGUSTA, ME —Marijuana taxes could double and social clubs for enjoying the newly legalized drug could be banned until 2019 under a new bill being considering by the Maine Legislature's Joint Select Committee on Marijuana Legalization Implementation.

Lawmakers have pushed back legalization of recreational marijuana sales until February at the earliest.The bill as drafted would require holders of recreational marijuana licenses to have two years of Maine residency. That requirement would expire in 2020.

The committee is set to vote Thursday on whether to recommend the omnibus bill that tweaks the voter-approved recreational marijuana law. (For more local news, subscribe for free to the Augusta Patch and receive breaking news alerts and daily newsletters.)

Lawmakers hope the Legislature will vote on the marijuana bill at a special session that could take place in October.

Just over half of Maine voters voted in November to legalize recreational marijuana, with 49.74 percent opposed.

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