Recreational Cannabis: Legal & Lobbying
Representing medical cannabis businesses, national cannabis advocacy organizations, and local community interests, MSS worked to successfully place Question 1 on the ballot, pass it, prevail in a recount, and pass legislation implementing a safe and responsible recreational cannabis market in Maine.
In 2015, Legalize Maine and the Marijuana Policy Project both put forward competing recreational cannabis referendum questions. Understanding the impact of competing measures on the likelihood of success, Maine Street Solutions met with both sides and mediated negotiations, which led to a combined effort that later became Question 1. Following the merge, Maine Street Solutions served as campaign advisors, assisting with signature collection, media and public relations, community and business outreach, paid advertising, and strategic grassroots efforts. As a result, the campaign gathered the necessary signatures, and Question 1 passed with roughly 50.3% of the vote (381,768 to 377,773).
Following the successful election, the opponents requested a recount. Maine Street Solutions, in conjunction with attorneys at Verrill Dana, served as legal counsel and consultants for the recount. Ultimately, the measure was officially successful and became a Maine state law.
As a result, the Legislature formed the Marijuana Legalization and Implementation Committee to vet the voter-approved legislation and clarify various pieces of the law. Maine Street Solutions represented a group of stakeholders during the two-year legislative process. Maine Street Solutions worked one-on-one with individual committee members to educate them on what a recreational market could look like in Maine, focusing on community safety, responsible adult use of cannabis, and the economic benefits to the state. Participating in stakeholder meetings, hundreds of committee meetings, and numerous one-on-one meetings, MSS worked to help define the Maine law and ensure that all voices were heard equally.
Throughout the process, Maine Street Solutions worked alongside the referendum opposition to hear their concerns and work with them to help ensure Maine passed the best possible law. When the bill reached the House and Senate floor, it was passed with a two-thirds, 112-34 in the House and 24-10 in the Senate.
Following the successful vote, Maine Street Solutions worked alongside the other stakeholders to defeat the Governor’s veto. Ultimately, LD 1719, “An Act to Implement a Regulatory Structure for Adult Use Marijuana,” became public law on May 2, 2018, when the House voted to override the Governor’s veto 109-39, and the Senate followed, voting to override 28-6.
Related reading:
The Rolling Stone Guide to Legal Pot: Maine
A conservative governor has kept dispensaries from opening up—but that doesn’t mean Mainers aren’t partaking
