Up in Smoke? Recount Likely in Maine Marijuana Vote

AUGUSTA, ME — Opponents of Maine's marijuana legalization initiative have indicated they will seek a recount after voters narrowly passed it on Election Day.

The tally vote was 378,288 votes in favor and 375,668 opposed — a margin of just 2,620 votes.

The yes side claimed victory the morning following the election before the final votes were tabulated. The no side has refused to concede.

"Every vote will be counted," No On 1 said in a statement.

Maine was one of five states that voted on legalizing marijuana for sale. Massachusetts, California, and Nevada approved it while Arizona rejected it.

The pro-legalization side in Maine 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.

Gov. Paul LePage and the group Mainers Protecting Our Youth and Communities opposes legalization. LePage warned it would have "deadly consequences."

Question 1 asked 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?

Adults would be allowed to buy up to 2-1/2 ounces of marijuana. The measure would also allow marijuana social clubs. Supporters said the first marijuana retail stores could open sometime around January 2018.

Marijuana remains illegal under federal law.

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

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."

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