State of Maine Archives: on Drugs
Sara Gideon:
Voted to regulate marijuana legalization in Maine
Q: Decriminalize or legalize?Sara Gideon: Yes. Voted in 2018 for legislation to implement and regulate legalization in Maine, approved by popular vote in 2016, and to override Governor Page's veto.
Susan Collins: Mostly no. Does not "support a national, federal effort to decriminalize." Would allow VA doctors to recommend cannabis for veterans where legal.
Source: CampusElect on 2020 Maine Senate race
Oct 10, 2020
Janet Mill:
Signed 2019 law for regulating adult-use marijuana market
"Nearly four years after Mainers approved marijuana legalization at the ballot box, the will of the people will finally be effectuated," said the Marijuana Policy Project Deputy Director, one of the leaders of the 2016 campaign. "The delays were
unfortunate and unnecessary, but in the end we've succeeded in replacing prohibition with a thoughtful policy that legalizes, regulates, and taxes marijuana sales for adults 21 and over," the MPP Director added.Marijuana has been legal for adults
21 and older to grow and share since January 30, 2017. Legislation to establish rules and implement a regulated adult-use marijuana market was signed into law by Gov. Janet Mills on June 27, 2019.
Eleven states have legalized marijuana for adults
21 and over. The Marijuana Policy Project spearheaded the successful Yes on 1 legalization campaign in Maine and played a central role in the coalitions that passed initiatives to legalize and regulate marijuana in CO, AK, MA, MI, and NV.
Source: MPP.org press release on Maine voting record "Yes on 1"
Oct 8, 2020
Sara Gideon:
Treatment for opioid addiction; hold big pharma accountable
Maine has been hit harder by the opioid crisis than most states around the country. Sara supports a comprehensive approach that includes:- Expanding access to affordable addiction treatment;
- Creating bridge programs to ensure that people
have access to treatment at the moment they're ready;
- Funding education and prevention efforts, as well as public health research; and
- Holding big pharmaceutical companies accountable for their role in the crisis.
Source: 2020 Maine Senate campaign website SaraGideon.com
Jun 4, 2020
Betsy Sweet:
Expand substance abuse treatment
- Treat opioid addiction as a health issue not a criminal issue, and treat it accordingly.
- Move addicts from prison to community-based treatment. Over 65% of prison inmates have addiction and behavioral health problems, and only
11% receive treatment in jail. It costs over $50,000/year to house a prisoner in Maine; let's spend that money on treatment services that benefit both the recovering addicts, their families and communities.
- Expand Medicaid to cover 80,000 new people.
This is the single biggest, fastest, and most effective step we can take to expand substance abuse treatment in Maine.
- Incentivize treatment for the whole person, not just the addiction.
We need to look at the life circumstances and the emotional pain that feeds the addiction at its core and provide the services necessary to address those issues.
Source: Ballotpedia.org Connection: 2018 Maine Governor race
Nov 1, 2018
Betsy Sweet:
Legalize and promote industrial hemp
Legalize and promote industrial hemp, an industrial business with potential for
retooling vacant mills to be productive again.
Source: Ballotpedia.org Connection: 2018 Maine Governor race
Nov 1, 2018
Janet Mills:
Legalize recreational marijuana and bring in millions
Marijuana: Support ME's 2016 ballot initiative that legalized recreational marijuana use?Mills: Yes. Properly implemented, could "bring millions into our state economy, create jobs, and end unjust & costly war on drugs."
Moody: Opposes, part of corrupt initiative process that led him to run for office. Can't test impairment, so legalization is a liability for employers.
Source: 2018 CampusElect.org Issue Guide on Maine Governor race
Nov 1, 2018
Shawn Moody:
Opposes legalizing recreational marijuana despite 2016 vote
Marijuana: Support ME's 2016 ballot initiative that legalized recreational marijuana use?Mills: Yes. Properly implemented, could "bring millions into our state economy, create jobs, and end unjust & costly war on drugs."
Moody: Opposes, part of corrupt initiative process that led him to run for office. Can't test impairment, so legalization is a liability for employers.
Source: 2018 CampusElect.org Issue Guide on Maine Governor race
Nov 1, 2018
Shawn Moody:
Strengthen criminal code & stem tide of illegal trafficking
FIGHTING THE OPIOID CRISIS. - Work with our schools to bring a new focus on drug education, impacts of opioid abuse, and long term effects of heavy drug use.
- Work with the federal government to ensure strong borders to stem the tide of illegal drug trafficking while keeping an eye on interstate drug trafficking routes.
- Support peer-to-peer recovery efforts like the AA model, and other treatment options, where those in recovery can serve as real-life mentors for others battling addiction.
- Strengthen our criminal code for addictive opioid drug trafficking and tools to track the traffickers.
Source: 2018 Maine Gubernatorial race website ShawnMoody.com
Sep 1, 2018
Zak Ringelstein:
Fighting Opioid epidemic begins with pharmaceutical reform
Fighting the opioid epidemic requires a joint emergency response on the local, state and national levels of government that starts with getting pharmaceutical companies out of Washington. We need to solve the underlying economic,
education, and social problems that are causing people to use opioids. Individuals and families affected need wrap-around support from health care services, mental health providers, faith centers, and other community groups.
Source: 2018 Me. Senate campaign website, RingelsteinForMaine.com
Jun 26, 2018
Chris Lyons:
Marijuana isn't a gateway drug
Q: Do you support or oppose the statement, "Marijuana is a gateway drug"?
A: oppose
Source: OnTheIssues interview of 2018 Maine Senate candidate
Mar 6, 2018
Paul LePage:
Veto implementation of regulated marijuana market
MPP.org legislative summary: Gov. Paul LePage vetoed legislation that would have implemented a regulated marijuana market that Maine voters called for when they approved Question 1 in 2016. The bill, which was supported overwhelmingly in
the House and Senate, would have created rules for cultivation, processing, and retail establishments, as well as set tax rates for adult-use marijuana and delay marijuana social consumption lounges until summer 2019. LD1650 was the product of nearly
seven months of transparent deliberations in the legislature that included input from a variety of stakeholders and concerned residents. Gov. LePage attempted to circumvent this legislation by introducing a bill to officially delay marijuana retail
sales until 2019, but it was defeated in late October.Legislative outcome: House vote #476, Oct. 23, passed 81-50-20; Senate vote #475 passed 22-9-4; Vetoed by Gov. LePage on Nov. 3; Veto override Nov. 6 failed 74-62-14 (2/3 required)
Source: MPP.org on Maine legislative voting record S-345/LD1650
Nov 3, 2017
Charlie Baker:
Opposed legalizing marijuana, but implemented it once passed
MPP.org legislative summary: Maine Gov. Paul LePage vetoed legislation that would have implemented a regulated marijuana market that Maine voters called for when they approved Question 1 in 2016. The bill would have created rules for
cultivation, processing, and retail establishments, as well as set tax rates for adult-use marijuana and delay marijuana social consumption lounges until summer 2019. Statement from campaign manager for the 2016 Yes on 1 campaign:
"In 2014, the governor said he would implement a legalization law if approved by voters, but he has failed to uphold that commitment. In Massachusetts, Republican Gov. Charlie Baker campaigned against the marijuana legalization initiative last year.
However, he respected the outcome and moved forward with implementation of the law. Seven other states have passed legalization initiatives over the past five years, and none have seen this type of obstructionism from their governors."
Source: MPP.org on Maine legislative document S-345/LD1650
Oct 23, 2017
Eric Brakey:
Supports Question 1: implement regulated marijuana market
MPP.org legislative summary: Gov. Paul LePage vetoed legislation that would have implemented a regulated marijuana market that Maine voters called for when they approved Question 1 in 2016. The bill, which was supported overwhelmingly in
the House and Senate, would have created rules for cultivation, processing, and retail establishments, as well as set tax rates for adult-use marijuana and delay marijuana social consumption lounges until summer 2019. LD1650 was the product of nearly
seven months of deliberations that included input from a variety of stakeholders and concerned residents. Gov. LePage attempted to circumvent this legislation by introducing a bill to officially delay marijuana retail sales until 2019, but it was
defeated in late October.Legislative outcome: House vote #476, Oct. 23, passed 81-50-20; Senate vote #475 passed 22-9-4; Eric Brakey voted YES; Vetoed by Gov. LePage on Nov. 3; Veto override Nov. 6 failed 74-62-14 (2/3 required)
Source: MPP.org on Maine legislative voting record S-345/LD1650
Oct 23, 2017
Mike Thibodeau:
Supports Question 1: implement regulated marijuana market
MPP.org legislative summary: Gov. Paul LePage vetoed legislation that would have implemented a regulated marijuana market that Maine voters called for when they approved Question 1 in 2016. The bill, which was supported overwhelmingly in
the House and Senate, would have created rules for cultivation, processing, and retail establishments, as well as set tax rates for adult-use marijuana and delay marijuana social consumption lounges until summer 2019. LD1650 was the product of nearly
seven months of deliberations that included input from a variety of stakeholders and concerned residents. Gov. LePage attempted to circumvent this legislation by introducing a bill to officially delay marijuana retail sales until 2019, but it was
defeated in late October.Legislative outcome: House vote #476, Oct. 23, passed 81-50-20; Senate vote #475 passed 22-9-4; Mike Thibodeau voted YES; Vetoed by Gov. LePage on Nov. 3; Veto override Nov. 6 failed 74-62-14 (2/3 required)
Source: MPP.org on Maine legislative voting record S-345/LD1650
Oct 23, 2017
Janet Mills:
Investigate role of opioid manufacturers in drug abuse
Mills said the coalition is investigating what role opioid manufacturers may have played in creating or prolonging the drug epidemic. "We need to get the genie back in the pill bottle; our society is awash in pills and it
is killing us." She went on to say that the vast majority of people arrested for possession of heroin or fentanyl tell authorities that their substance abuse disorder began with painkiller prescriptions.
Source: Press Herald on 2018 Maine Gubernatorial race
Oct 15, 2017
Mary Mayhew:
Joint effort needed to provide effective drug treatment
The lethal nature of the heroin coming into our state and the increasing presence of fentanyl pose an unprecedented crisis and challenge. We must work together to support efforts that provide access to effective treatment. Recently, while sitting
in on a group treatment session I heard from individuals working toward recovery. Many of their statements were echoed by their peers: They want their lives back, they want to be able to participate in treatment and they want to continue being employed.
Source: Press-Herald OpEd on 2018 Maine Gubernatorial race
Apr 14, 2017
Eric Brakey:
Supports legalizing marijuana for recreational use
Maine residents have voted to legalize marijuana for recreational use in their state. The final results of the referendum were within a fraction of a percentage point, but supporters declared themselves the winners and had predicted home cultivation of
marijuana would be legal by around Christmas."The Maine people have passed it, and we should work on implementing it," said Republican state Sen. Eric Brakey, who supported the ballot issue.
Medical marijuana was already legal in Maine.
People 21 or older will now be allowed to use up to 2-1/2 ounces of marijuana, and retail marijuana shops and social clubs could open around the state. Some municipalities have balked at allowing such businesses to open in their communities.
Marijuana won't become available at the retail level until after a state rulemaking process that could be slow and arduous. All of the marijuana sold in Maine will also be grown in Maine.
Source: PBS Newshour on 2018 Maine Senate race
Nov 10, 2016
Paul LePage:
Oppose legalizing marijuana for recreational use
Maine residents have voted to legalize marijuana for recreational use in their state. The final results of the referendum were within a fraction of a percentage point, but supporters declared themselves the winners and had predicted home cultivation of
marijuana would be legal by around Christmas.Medical marijuana was already legal in Maine. People 21 or older will now be allowed to use up to 2-1/2 ounces of marijuana, and retail marijuana shops and social clubs could open around the state.
Some municipalities have balked at allowing such businesses to open in their communities.
Marijuana won't become available at the retail level until after a state rulemaking process that could be slow and arduous.
All of the marijuana sold in Maine will also be grown in Maine.
Gov. Paul LePage, who opposed legalization, did not respond to a request for comment.
Source: PBS Newshour on 2018 Maine Senate race
Nov 10, 2016
Eliot Cutler:
Legal pot makes drugs seem ok, but prohibition isn't working
[After Portland voted to legalize marijuana possession up to 2.5 ounces], a spokeswoman for Democrat Mike Michaud said, "He is concerned that such efforts could make the drug more accessible to children and teens." Eliot Cutler, the independent in the
race, said he had similar concerns that legalizing marijuana for adults would also expand access to the drug for children and adolescents. "I think my biggest concern with legalizing marijuana is that it could send a message to our kids that drug use is
OK," Cutler said. Still, Cutler said he believed the current prohibition on marijuana wasn't working. "It has permitted the development of a thriving, unregulated and untaxed black market in nonmedicinal marijuana that is
easily accessed by children and adolescents, as well as adults," Cutler said.Meanwhile, Republican Gov. Paul LePage demurred on the questions.
Source: Bangor Daily News on 2014 Maine governor race
Sep 3, 2014
Mike Michaud:
Legal pot makes drug more accessible to children and teens
The leading candidates for governor in Maine danced around the subject of whether the state should follow the city of Portland's lead and legalize recreational marijuana statewide. Portland voters overwhelmingly approved a city ordinance that makes
possession of up to 2.5 ounces of marijuana for personal use legal. The change, however, may be largely symbolic as both state and federal laws making possession illegal would supersede the ordinance, according to law enforcement.A spokeswoman for the
Democrat in the gubernatorial race, U.S. Rep. Mike Michaud, said he would want to see more details of any bill that would legalize or further decriminalize marijuana in Maine. "But he is concerned that such efforts could make the drug more accessible to
children and teens," Michaud's campaign spokeswoman said. "The congressman is willing to sit down to discuss the issue with advocates for the law change and with representatives from the public health and law enforcement communities."
Source: Bangor Daily News on 2014 Maine governor race
Sep 3, 2014
Paul LePage:
Upholding the law includes illegal marijuana
The leading candidates for governor in Maine danced around the subject of whether the state should follow the city of Portland's lead and legalize recreational marijuana statewide. Portland voters overwhelmingly approved a city ordinance that
makes possession of up to 2.5 ounces of marijuana for personal use legal.A spokeswoman for Democrat Mike Michaud said "he is concerned that such efforts could make the drug more accessible to children and teens." Eliot Cutler, the independent in the
race, said he had similar concerns, but that he believed the current prohibition on marijuana wasn't working.
Meanwhile, Republican Gov. Paul LePage demurred on the questions. His campaign staff referred the issue to the governor's communications staff
in Augusta. "Gov. LePage has taken an oath to defend and uphold the Constitution and observe the laws of the state of Maine and he intends to do just that," LePage's press secretary wrote.
Source: Bangor Daily News on 2014 Maine governor race
Sep 3, 2014
Shenna Bellows:
Supports marijuana legalization
Bellows is relying on wedge issues to form, as she tells TIME, an "unusual coalition of support" around civil liberties, including legalizing marijuana. On its face, the strategy has merit. Both marijuana and privacy concerns raised by the
National Security Agency scandals attract anti-Washington voters from liberals to libertarians.
Portland, Maine's largest city, legalized recreational marijuana overwhelmingly last year, but the state legislature has opposed measures to legalize,
tax and regulate the drug. It has, however, allowed medical marijuana since 1999. "There is widespread support for more sensible drug-reform policy," says Bellows, who sells herself as a "daughter of a carpenter," raised without running water or
electricity.
Two marijuana-advocacy groups have endorsed her--the National Organization for the Reform of Marijuana Laws (NORML) and Marijuana Policy Project (MPP).
Source: Time magazine on 2014 Maine Senate race
Mar 4, 2014
Eliot Cutler:
Legalizing marijuana sends message that drug use is OK
The Marijuana Policy Project, a national organization that helped successfully campaign for legalization of recreational pot use in Portland last year plans to target Lewiston, South Portland and York this fall as it lays the groundwork for a statewide
legalization campaign in 2016. The efforts could benefit from the higher voter turnout likely in an election for governor."I think my biggest concern with legalizing marijuana is that it could send a message to our kids that drug use is OK," Eliot
Cutler, an independent candidate for governor, said in a statement to the Press Herald. "That said, the current system doesn't work--it has permitted the development of a thriving, unregulated and untaxed black market in non-medicinal marijuana that is
easily accessed by children and adolescents, as well as adults." Cutler said he would create a task force to look at the issue and recommend whether Maine should follow the lead of Colorado and Washington--and if so, how.
Source: Portland Press Herald on 2014 Maine Senate race
Jan 21, 2014
Mike Michaud:
Real concerns about the impact of pot legalization on kids
The Marijuana Policy Project, a national organization that helped successfully campaign for legalization of recreational pot use in Portland last year plans to target Lewiston, South Portland and York this fall as it lays the groundwork for a statewide
legalization campaign in 2016. The efforts could benefit from the higher voter turnout likely in an election for governor.Maine politicians and political candidates largely would not commit either way on the issue. Rep. Mike Michaud said he spoke
briefly with Colorado Gov. John Hickenlooper about the issue and believes that "there are important lessons that Maine should consider as other states go through the process of legalization."
"Congressman Michaud continues to have real concerns about
the impact of legalization on children and young adults," said a spokeswoman for Michaud's gubernatorial campaign. "The congressman and his staff have had a number of meetings with advocates, and he continues to evaluate information on legalization."
Source: Portland Press Herald on 2014 Maine Senate race
Jan 21, 2014
Shenna Bellows:
Three past presidents acknowledged use; legalize pot
The Marijuana Policy Project, a national organization that helped successfully campaign for legalization of recreational pot use in Portland last year plans to target Lewiston, South Portland and York this fall as it lays the groundwork for a statewide
legalization campaign in 2016.Maine politicians largely would not commit either way on the issue. Sen. Collins' office did not respond to subsequent questions about whether she would support legalization. She has avoided taking sides in statewide
referendum campaigns in the past.
Collins' opponent in this year's election, meanwhile, strongly supports legalization and indicated Monday that she plans to discuss the issue on the campaign trail. "When you have the past three US presidents
acknowledging marijuana use while our country locks up record numbers of primarily black and low-income young men, then something is dramatically wrong and we need change," Shenna Bellows said. "Legalization will benefit our economy and civil rights."
Source: Portland Press Herald on 2014 Maine Senate race
Jan 21, 2014
Susan Collins:
Declines to take sides in marijuana legalization petition
A national organization that helped successfully campaign for legalization of recreational pot use in Portland last year plans to target Lewiston, South Portland and York this fall as it lays the groundwork for a statewide legalization campaign in 2016.
The Marijuana Policy Project plans to conduct petition drives to put the question to voters in the three communities in an effort to keep the legalization debate moving in Maine.A spokesman for Susan Collins said: "While Sen. Collins believes that the
president and Congress should be focusing like a laser on jobs and the economy, she would look for guidance from Maine's law enforcement and medical communities in the unlikely event that legalization legislation is debated by the full Senate."
Collins' office did not respond to subsequent questions about whether she would support legalization in Maine. She has avoided taking sides in statewide referendum campaigns in the past.
Source: Portland Press Herald on 2014 Maine Senate race
Jan 21, 2014
James Boyle:
Allow marijuana for Post Traumatic Stress Disorder
Summary by SafeAccessNow.org: In 1998, voters enacted the Medical Marijuana Act to protect patients who use cannabis medically on the advice of their doctor. In 2013, the Maine legislature passed HP755/LD1062, which added Post Traumatic
Stress Disorder to the list of official qualifying conditions.Legislative outcome:Passed House 105-35-11, on 6/10/13; Passed Senate 25-9-1, Roll Call #232, 6/11; Sen. Boyle voted YES; Enacted without signature from Gov LePage on 6/26.
Source: SafeAccessNow on Maine legislative voting records: LD1062
Jun 11, 2013
Mike Thibodeau:
Allow marijuana for Post Traumatic Stress Disorder
Summary by SafeAccessNow.org: In 1998, voters enacted the Medical Marijuana Act to protect patients who use cannabis medically on the advice of their doctor. In 2013, the Maine legislature passed HP755/LD1062, which added Post Traumatic
Stress Disorder to the list of official qualifying conditions.Legislative outcome:Passed House 105-35-11, on 6/10/13; Passed Senate 25-9-1, Roll Call #232, 6/11; Sen. Thibodeau voted NO; Enacted without signature from Gov LePage on 6/26.
Source: SafeAccessNow on Maine legislative voting records: LD1062
Jun 11, 2013
Sara Gideon:
Don't allow marijuana for Post Traumatic Stress Disorder
Summary by SafeAccessNow.org: In 1998, voters enacted the Medical Marijuana Act to protect patients who use cannabis medically on the advice of their doctor. In 2013, the Maine legislature passed HP755/LD1062, which added Post Traumatic
Stress Disorder to the list of official qualifying conditions.Legislative outcome:Passed House 105-35-11, Roll Call #237 on 6/10/13; Rep. Gideon voted YES; Passed Senate 25-9-1, 6/11; Enacted without signature from Gov LePage on 6/26/13
Source: SafeAccessNow on Maine legislative voting records: LD1062
Jun 10, 2013
Paul LePage:
Mandatory drug testing for welfare recipients
Our welfare reform also includes mandatory drug testing of program participants convicted of drug offenses. If we are serious about helping people move to independence and work, we must address the barriers caused by addiction.
Otherwise, we are spinning our wheels and squandering state resources.
Source: Maine 2011 State of the State Address
Feb 10, 2011
Charlie Summers:
Mandatory jail sentences for selling illegal drugs
Summers indicates support for the following principles regarding crime. - Support programs to provide prison inmates with vocational and job-related skills and job-placement assistance when released.
-
Support programs to provide prison inmates with drug and alcohol addiction treatment.
- Support mandatory jail sentences for selling illegal drugs.
Source: Maine Congressional Election 2008 Political Courage Test
Nov 1, 2008
Susan Collins:
Provide prison inmates with drug addiction treatment
Collins supports the following principles regarding drug issues:- Support programs to provide prison inmates with drug and alcohol addiction treatment.
- Support programs to provide prison inmates with vocational and job-related skills
and job-placement assistance when released.
- Support strict penalties for internet crime (e.g. hacking, identity theft, worms/viruses).
- Require that crimes based on sexual orientation be prosecuted as federal hate crimes.
Source: Maine Congressional Election 2008 Political Courage Test
Jun 18, 2008
Page last updated: Oct 13, 2021