Maine Gov. Signs Off on Legal Marijuana

January 3, 2017

AUGUSTA — Gov. Paul LePage has signed a proclamation verifying the results of a November ballot question that saw voters, by a narrow margin, approve the legalization of recreational marijuana in Maine.

LePage confirmed the proclamation Tuesday on a talk show on WVOM radio in Bangor. But he also called on the Legislature to place a moratorium on the sale of marijuana until lawmakers could work out all the details, including providing funding to set up a regulatory framework for legal marijuana.

Under the new law, adults over age 21 will be allowed to possess up to 2.5 ounces of marijuana or grow up to six plants. Commercial sale of the drug would be regulated by the Maine Department of Agriculture, Conservation and Forestry.

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