Maine Gov. Paul LePage vetoes marijuana bill, saying federal future of legalization uncertain
Published: Nov 3, 2017, 10:09 am • Updated: Nov 3, 2017, 11:53 am
By Polly Washburn, The Cannabist Staff
Republican Gov. Paul LePage has vetoed a bill passed by the Maine legislature 11 days ago to regulate the retail sale of marijuana.
The Maine Legislature is set to return Monday to deal with any vetoes by LePage. The bill that sets rules and taxes on marijuana passed with a two-thirds majority in the Senate, but not in the House. A two-thirds vote is necessary to override the veto.
In a letter containing his veto statement, LePage noted: “The Obama administration said they would not enforce federal law related to marijuana; however, the Trump administration has not taken that position. 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.”
LePage specifically cited a conversation with Colorado’s Gov. John Hickenlooper, saying Hickenlooper “was adamant that Maine should learn from the mistakes made by his state and others that have pursued legalization efforts. He urged that we take the time necessary to get our law right from the start and not rush just to get something in place. There have been serious negative effects of legalization in other states — effects that should not be repeated in Maine.”
LePage cited recent statistics that marijuana-related traffic deaths have increased in the years since 2012, when Colorado voters approved a ballot measure to legalize recreational marijuana.
Friday was the last day for LePage to veto this bill as well as one delaying implementation of ranked-choice voting. His other options were to sign the bill into law or let it become law without his signature.
In October, LePage had called for the legislature to delay sales until 2019 while they worked on the details of regulation.
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In January, when he was signing the voter-approved referendum, he said he remained skeptical of whether it is wise for the state to implement legalized marijuana for recreational use.
Maine voters narrowly voted to legalize marijuana for recreational use a year ago. The vote was so close that there was a two-day recount.
The Associated Press contributed to this story.
This story will be updated.
Read: Maine Gov. Paul LePage veto letter of marijuana legalization bill
Gov. Paul LePage veto of LD 1650, Maine marijuana legalization bill (PDF)
Gov. Paul LePage veto of LD 1650, Maine marijuana legalization bill (Text)
Topics: Maine, Paul LePage, regulations 
Polly Washburn
Polly joined The Cannabist in December 2016 as a digital producer. She has been creating print, web and video content for a couple of decades. She returned to her home town of Denver in 2012 after living in eleven other cities in four countries, and…
