Pro-Pot Maine Groups Collaborate on Legalization Measure

Two organizations had previously backed rival initiatives, now support one measure

On Monday, October 26, Legalize Maine joined the Campaign to Regulate Marijuana Like Alcohol (CRMLA) in supporting a single, inclusive ballot initiative that would allow voters the choice to legalize recreational Cannabis use in 2016.

The CRMLA has declared their decision to back the initiative that was previously submitted by Legalize Maine and will stop collecting signatures on their previous initiative in order to focus their attention on doing the same for the initiative submitted by Legalize Maine.

At present, several states are experiencing the problem of competing initiatives, which was recently settled by pro-pot organizations in Maine. After the 2012 votes that legalized recreational weed in Colorado and Oregon, other states have been weighing the decision to put such a decision before voters. Washington state, Alaska and Washington, D.C. Have since joined the ranks of 'green' states, and Ohio voters will vote on the issue next week.

In addition to the 40,000 votes already collected by Legalize Maine, another 21,000 are necessary in order to place the initiative on the ballot next year.

The initiative would allow adults to cultivate and flower six plants, in addition to having six in the vegetative stage and limitless amounts of seedlings. Social clubs and pot shops will become legal as well.

David Boyer, campaign manager for the CRMLA, said of the collaboration, "Joining forces is the best step forward, not only for our respective campaigns, but for Maine as a whole. We all agree marijuana prohibition has been a colossal failure and that it must be replaced with a system in which marijuana is legal for adults and regulated like alcohol. We can more effectively accomplish our shared goal by combining our resources and working together instead of on parallel tracks."

Regarding the rival initiatives and the recent joining of forces, Boyer added, "We had some differences of opinion on some of the specifics, but our initiatives were largely similar overall. We would not get behind this measure unless we were 100% confident that it will effectively and responsibly end prohibition in Maine. We're also confident that the voters will agree."

Paul McCarrier, president of Legalize Maine, agreed, declaring, "This is a major milestone on the path to ending marijuana prohibition in Maine. Either of these campaigns could be successful on their own, but together we can put our best feet forward in 2016. The voters are ready to adopt a more sensible marijuana policy, and we're committed to working with everyone who wants to help them do it."

McCarrier praised the efforts of both groups thus far. "Both campaigns have done a great job of educating voters, organizing volunteers, and raising funds, and now we can ramp up those efforts even more. David and MPP have made some major strides here this past couple years, and they clearly share our commitment to doing what is best for the people of Maine. We're looking forward to working with them to cross the finish line next year."