York, Maine is Next in Line to Vote on Legalizing Private Marijuana Use

A pro-marijuana group is submitting its petition to the town of York, Maine supporting a citizen initiative that would decriminalize the private use of marijuana.

Citizens for a Safer Maine says it has collected more than 900 signatures, with 641 valid signatures of registered town voters needed to qualify for the November ballot.

The initiative would make it legal for adults 21 and older to privately possess up to one ounce of marijuana. It would remain illegal to consume or display marijuana in public. The measure also includes a statement in support of regulating and taxing marijuana like alcohol at the state level.

The citizens' group will deliver its petition to the York Town Clerk Wednesday afternoon.

David Boyer of the Marijuana Policy Project said, “People are fed up with laws that punish adults for using a substance that is objectively less harmful than alcohol.”

A similar measure will appear on the November ballot in South Portland, and Lewiston city council next week will consider a similar ballot question.