Editor's Note: For some background, two cities in Maine have been among the most progressive in the country when it comes to marijuana legalization. South Portland and Portland have both legalized possession of small amount of marijuana by adults, and in Lewiston, Maine, a similar measure didn't pass, but was approved by nearly half of the vote. Maine also will be given some advocacy help to support legalization initiatives–the states is one of five states where the Marijuana Policy Project has established committees to push for legalization ballot measures in 2016.
As this article notes, two medical marijuana bills also are being proposed: "One would do away with the list of qualifying conditions for patients, leaving it up to doctors to decide whether marijuana is an appropriate treatment for a patient."
Lawmakers are likely to have a few different marijuana bills to consider come January.
The four proposals being discussed deal with recreational marijuana legalization, as well as medical marijuana and driving under the influence.
There are two medical marijuana bills being proposed. One would do away with the list of qualifying conditions for patients, leaving it up to doctors to decide whether marijuana is an appropriate treatment for a patient. The other would prevent the state from collecting identifying information from patients.
Lawmakers will also consider setting limits so police can determine if someone is too impaired by marijuana to drive.
