Why Does Maine Governor LePage Hate Weed So Much?
Almost a year after Maine residents voted to regulate cannabis, Maine Governor Paul LePage (R) vetoed the bill that would legalize recreational use of the plant.
Last Friday, LePage sent a letter expressing concerns that the Trump administration was going to treat the state’s decision as a conflict. “Until I clearly understand how the federal government intends to treat states that seek to legalize marijuana, I cannot in good conscience support any scheme in state law to implement expansion of legal marijuana in Maine,” he says, using the excuse that if adults were to be allowed to buy cannabis it would be a violation of federal law.
LePage added that even if the Obama administration wouldn’t enforce the federal stance on cannabis, that it’s a different story with Trump; saying that he even reached out to US Attorney Jeff Sessions (OF ALL PEOPLE) for guidance on the matter.
In his letter, LePage said that even if Maine would create a new industry, “we need assurances that a change in policy or administration at the federal level will not nullify those investments.” The governor referred to the opioid crisis, saying, “The dangers of legalizing marijuana and normalizing its use in our society cannot be understated,” implying that legalizing cannabis would have a negative impact on young people. “Sending a message, especially to our young people, that some drugs are still illegal under federal law are now sanctioned by the state may have unintended and grave consequences,” LePage said.
The measure to legalize cannabis in Maine last year passed narrowly – by just 4,000 votes. However, the ballot called for a regulation system to be established come end of 2017 but it remains legal to grow cannabis in Maine or possess under 2.5 ounces of it.
“Governor LePage has made a mistake by vetoing this legislation. Instead of a regulated and controlled system of marijuana cultivation and sales, Maine will continue to support the unregulated market,” opines David Boyer, political director of the Maine Marijuana Project, an advocacy group that asked lawmakers to override LePage’s veto and permit cannabis sales by 2019.
The House and Senate approved a cannabis bill two weeks ago, which was proposed by a bipartisan legislative panel, members of whom invested months into editing the law with the intention of giving local communities the option to participate in recreational sales. The bill also came with other changes such as the addition of excise tax on top of the current 10% sales tax on recreational cannabis.
What pisses off advocates is that LePage pretended to be at least neutral of cannabis use when back in 2014 he said that voters should have a say, but in reality he was never for it. LePage stated that he had other concerns such as the fact that the bill doesn’t address the issue of compatibility with the current medical cannabis program, its regulatory structure, and “unrealistic timelines.”
LePage recommended lawmakers to start from scratch and avoid trying to rush legalization. “If Maine is going to legalize and regulate marijuana, it is imperative that we do it right,” he says.
Naturally, opponents of legalization supported LePage’s decision, saying that vetoing the “reckless bill” was a victory for public health. “It is clear the majority of Mainers would support an approach that puts health, safety, and families first- and not Big Marijuana,” said Scott Gagnon, who sits on the chair of Smart Approaches to Marijuana Maine.
Clearly, LePage’s veto is going to seriously setback Maine’s push for legalization. The state is already one of 8 where voters legalized recreational cannabis use for adults, but only a few others, including Washington, Colorado, Oregon, Alaska, and Nevada already have operational marketplaces. Sales are expected to start next year for California and Massachusetts, but for Washington D.C. voters have already legalized cannabis although the city’s hands are tied – sales and regulation systems can’t be created until Congress agrees.
In the meantime, clever retailers in Maine have been able to maximize the absence of regulation in the city by charging massive delivery fees.
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