Cannabis in Maine

Adult-use cannabis was legalized via voter action in 2016.
Medical cannabis was legalized by voter action in 1999.

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Sen. Susan Collins - R

Does Not Support Federal Legalization

  • Expunge Past Cannabis Convictions
  • Reinvest In Communities Most Impacted By The War On Drugs
  • Allow States To Legalize Adult-Use Cannabis
  • Allow States To Legalize Medical Cannabis
  • Allow VA Doctors To Recommend Medical Cannabis
  • Allow Cannabis Businesses To Use Banks

  • Co-Sponsored the Safe Banking Act of 2023, which allows banks to work with cannabis businesses that are legal at the state level
  • Voted in favor of allowing VA doctors to recommend cannabis for veterans in states where it is legal. (2017)
  • Voted against allowing banks to provide financial services to cannabis-related businesses that are operating legally under state laws. (2016)
  • Voted in favor of preventing the Justice Department from prosecuting medical cannabis patients and providers in states where it is legal. (2015)
  • Collins said: “From a federal perspective, if there were a bill in the Senate to legalize marijuana, I would vote against it.” (2014)

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Sen. Angus King - Independent

Supports Federal Legalization

  • Expunge Past Cannabis Convictions
  • Reinvest In Communities Most Impacted By The War On Drugs
  • Allow States To Legalize Adult-Use Cannabis
  • Allow States To Legalize Medical Cannabis
  • Allow VA Doctors To Recommend Medical Cannabis
  • Allow Cannabis Businesses To Use Banks

  • Co-sponsored the SAFER Banking Act of 2023, which would ensure that all businesses – including State-sanctioned cannabis businesses – have access to deposit accounts, insurance and other financial services.
  • Co-Sponsored the Safe Banking Act of 2023, which allows banks to work with cannabis businesses that are legal at the state level
  • Cosponsored the SAFE Banking Act of 2021, which allows banks to work with cannabis businesses that are legal at the state level. (2021)
  • Cosponsored the SAFE Banking Act of 2019, which would allow banks to work with cannabis businesses that are legal at the state level. (2019)
  • Cosponsored the STATES ACT, which would prevent the federal government from interfering with cannabis policy at the state level, allow banks to provide services to legitimate cannabis businesses, and end the federal prohibition of industrial hemp.
  • Said marijuana should be legalized. (2018)
  • Cosponsored the Hemp Farming Bill of 2018, which would end the federal prohibition of industrial hemp.
  • Cosponsored the CARERS Act of 2015, which would have prevented the government from interfering with state medical cannabis policy, moved cannabis from Schedule I to Schedule II, ended the federal prohibition of CBD, allowed banks to provide services to legal cannabis businesses, and allowed VA doctors to recommend cannabis for veterans in states where it is legal. (2015)
  • A spokesman for Sen. King said, “Senator King believes the decision to legalize marijuana on a federal level for recreational purposes is significant and must be thought through carefully and comprehensively. He is interested to see the effects of legalization in places like Colorado and Washington, as data emerges that will better inform the decision-making process on this issue.” (2014)

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Rep. Chellie Pingree (ME-1) - D

Supports Federal Legalization

  • Expunge Past Cannabis Convictions
  • Reinvest In Communities Most Impacted By The War On Drugs
  • Allow States To Legalize Adult-Use Cannabis
  • Allow States To Legalize Medical Cannabis
  • Allow VA Doctors To Recommend Medical Cannabis
  • Allow Cannabis Businesses To Use Banks

  • Co-sponsored the MORE Act of 2023, which would end the prohibition of cannabis at the federal level, expunge low-level cannabis convictions, and levy a tax on cannabis sales to fund grants for communities that have been disproportionately harmed by cannabis prohibition.
  • Voted in favor of The Medical Marijuana Research Act, which would remove some barriers to medical cannabis research and allow researchers to use dispensary grade cannabis. (2022)
  • Voted in favor of the MORE Act, which would end the prohibition of cannabis at the federal level, expunge low-level cannabis convictions, and levy a tax on cannabis sales to fund grants for communities that have been disproportionately harmed by cannabis prohibition. (2022)
  • Cosponsored the MORE Act, which would end the prohibition of cannabis at the federal level, expunge low-level cannabis convictions, and levy a tax on cannabis sales to fund grants for communities that have been disproportionately harmed by cannabis prohibition. (2021)
  • Voted in favor of the SAFE Banking Act of 2021, which allows banks to work with cannabis businesses that are legal at the state level. (2021)
  • Cosponsored the SAFE Banking Act of 2021, which allows banks to work with cannabis businesses that are legal at the state level. (2021)
  • Voted in favor of the MORE Act, which would end the prohibition of cannabis at the federal level, expunge low-level cannabis convictions, and levy a tax on cannabis sales to fund grants for communities that have been disproportionately harmed by cannabis prohibition. (2020)
  • Cosponsored the MORE Act, which would end the prohibition of cannabis at the federal level, expunge low-level cannabis convictions, and levy a 5% tax on cannabis sales to fund grants for communities that have been disproportionately harmed by cannabis prohibition. (2019)
  • Voted in favor of the SAFE Banking Act of 2019, which allows banks to work with cannabis businesses that are legal at the state level. (2019)
  • Cosponsored the Marijuana Justice Act of 2019, which would end cannabis prohibition at the federal level, expunge federal cannabis convictions, reinvest in the communities that have been most harmed by cannabis prohibition, and penalize states that continue to disproportionately arrest people of color and low-income individuals for cannabis-related crimes. (2019)
  • Cosponsored the Ending Federal Marijuana Prohibition Act of 2019, which would end the prohibition of cannabis at the federal level. (2019)
  • Voted in favor of preventing the Justice Department from prosecuting cannabis users and businesses in states where recreational cannabis is legal. (2019)
  • Cosponsored the STATES Act of 2019, which would prevent the federal government from interfering with cannabis policy at the state level.
  • Cosponsored the SAFE Banking Act of 2019, which would allow banks to work with cannabis businesses that are legal at the state level. (2019)
  • Cosponsored the Regulate Marijuana Like Alcohol Act, which would legalize and regulate cannabis at the federal level. (2018)
  • Cosponsored the Hemp Farming Act of 2018, which would end the federal prohibition of industrial hemp. (2018)
  • Cosponsored the Ending Federal Marijuana Prohibition Act of 2017, which would end cannabis prohibition at the federal level. (2017)
  • Cosponsored the Respect State Marijuana Laws Act of 2017, which would prevent the federal government from interfering with cannabis policy at the state level. (2017)
  • Cosponsored the Respect States’ and Citizens’ Rights Act of 2017, which would prevent the federal government from interfering with state cannabis policy. (2017)
  • Cosponsored the SAFE Act of 2017, which would allow banks to provide services to legitimate cannabis businesses. (2017)
  • Voted in favor of allowing VA doctors to recommend medical cannabis for veterans in states where it is legal. (2016)
  • Voted in favor of preventing the Justice Department from prosecuting medical cannabis patients and providers in states where it is legal. (2015)
  • Voted in favor of preventing the Justice Department from prosecuting cannabis users and businesses in states where recreational cannabis is legal. (2015)
  • Voted in favor of preventing states from penalizing banks for providing financial services to legitimate cannabis businesses. (2014)

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Rep. Jared Golden (ME-2) - D

Supports Federal Legalization

  • Expunge Past Cannabis Convictions
  • Reinvest In Communities Most Impacted By The War On Drugs
  • Allow States To Legalize Adult-Use Cannabis
  • Allow States To Legalize Medical Cannabis
  • Allow VA Doctors To Recommend Medical Cannabis
  • Allow Cannabis Businesses To Use Banks

  • Co-Sponsored the Safe Banking Act of 2023, which allows banks to work with cannabis businesses that are legal at the state level
  • Voted in favor of The Medical Marijuana Research Act, which would remove some barriers to medical cannabis research and allow researchers to use dispensary grade cannabis. (2022)
  • Voted in favor of the MORE Act, which would end the prohibition of cannabis at the federal level, expunge low-level cannabis convictions, and levy a tax on cannabis sales to fund grants for communities that have been disproportionately harmed by cannabis prohibition. (2022)
  • Voted in favor of the SAFE Banking Act of 2021, which allows banks to work with cannabis businesses that are legal at the state level. (2021)
  • Voted in favor of the MORE Act, which would end the prohibition of cannabis at the federal level, expunge low-level cannabis convictions, and levy a tax on cannabis sales to fund grants for communities that have been disproportionately harmed by cannabis prohibition. (2020)
  • Voted in favor of the SAFE Banking Act of 2019, which allows banks to work with cannabis businesses that are legal at the state level. (2019)
  • Voted in favor of preventing the Justice Department from prosecuting cannabis users and businesses in states where recreational cannabis is legal. (2019)
  • Cosponsored the SAFE Banking Act of 2019, which would allow banks to work with cannabis businesses that are legal at the state level. (2019)
  • Quote: “I support Congress rescheduling cannabis and leaving decisions about legalization to the states. Under such a system, states would be allowed to legalize, decriminalize or maintain prohibition of cannabis without fear of a heavy-handed federal response.” (2018)
  • While in the Maine State House, Golden voted to in favor a bill to allow recreational cannabis sales in Maine. (2018)
  • While in the Maine State House, Golden voted in favor of a bill to expand Maine’s medical cannabis program. (2018)

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Gov. Janet Mills - D

Supports Adult Use Legalization In Their State

  • Responding to President Biden’s cannabis policy announcement in October 2022, A spokesperson for Governor Mills said that the governor: “does not want to see Maine people who pose no threat to public safety [held back because of a] years-old conviction on their record. If someone believes they are being unduly impacted, she strongly encourages them to apply for Executive Clemency, and she will give their application serious consideration.” (2022)
  • Said she’s watching how Massachusetts implements recreational cannabis legalization to get an idea of how Maine proceed with cannabis retail sales. (2019)
  • Quote: “Properly implemented, marijuana legalization has the potential to create thousands of jobs, grow the Maine economy, and end an outdated war on drugs. I have joined other Attorneys General in calling on Congress to allow banks and credit unions to serve state-licensed marijuana businesses without penalty, ending the cash-based shadow economy that still haunts states who have legalized marijuana. Congress should also allow research into uses and effectiveness of marijuana products. We must also ensure that our law adequately regulates access to minors, driving while impaired, contamination and quality control, taxation and the type and placement of advertising for marijuana.” (2018)
  • Quote: “I’m not opposed to adult-use recreational marijuana, not opposed to it at all… You’ve got to do three things with marijuana, cannabis: test it, track it and tax it.” (2018)

Take Action in Maine

Start a NORML chapter in Maine

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Connect with an Students for Sensible Drug Policy chapter in Maine

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Register to Vote in Maine

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