Paul LePage on Drugs

Veto implementation of regulated marijuana market

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)

Oppose legalizing marijuana for recreational use

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.

Upholding the law includes illegal marijuana

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.

We are losing War on Drugs; more enforcement & prosecution

Over 20% of the homicides in 2012 were related to illegal drugs. We must address the problem of drug addiction and drug trafficking. We must act now.

We need to fully fund the Maine Drug Enforcement Agency. Our police chiefs tell us local law enforcement officials need more resources to fight the drug problem in our state.

My proposal adds four new special drug prosecutors and four new judges to sit in enhanced drug courts in Presque Isle, Bangor, Lewiston and Portland. Since local agencies do not have the manpower or resources they need to fight Maine's drug problem, we will add 14 MDEA agent positions.

We must hunt down dealers and get them off the streets. We must protect our citizens from drug-related crimes and violence.

Mandatory drug testing for welfare recipients

Rated D+ by NORML, indicating a "hard-on-drugs" stance.

OnTheIssues.org interprets the 2016 NORML scores as follows:

• C-/D/F: "hard-on-drugs" stance (approx. 243 members)
• C: mixed record on drug reform (approx. 45 members)
• A/B: pro-drug-reform stance (approx. 293 members)

National Organization for the Reform of Marijuana Law's mission is to move public opinion sufficiently to achieve the repeal of marijuana prohibition so that the responsible use of cannabis by adults is no longer subject to penalty.

NORML is a nonprofit, public-interest lobby that for more than 30 years has provided a voice for those Americans who oppose marijuana prohibition. We represent the interests of the tens of millions of Americans who smoke marijuana responsibly and believe the recreational and medicinal use of marijuana should no longer be a crime.

NORML supports the removal of all criminal penalties for the private possession & responsible use of marijuana by adults, including the cultivation for personal use, and the casual nonprofit transfers of small amounts. This model is called "decriminalization."

NORML additionally supports the development of a legally controlled market for marijuana, where consumers could purchase it from a safe, legal and regulated source. This model is referred to as "legalization."

NORML believes that marijuana smoking is not for kids and should only be used responsibly by adults. As with alcohol consumption, it must never be an excuse for misconduct or other bad behavior. Driving or operating heavy equipment while impaired from marijuana should be prohibited.

NORML strongly supports the right of patients to use marijuana as a medicine when their physician recommends it to relieve pain and suffering.

Lastly, NORML supports the right of farmers to commercially cultivate hemp for industrial purposes, such as food and fiber production.