Maine Nears Recount on Marijuana Legalization

The Maine Secretary of State’s Office said Monday it has certified the signatures on two recount petitions and is now arranging to hand-count more than 700,000 referendum ballots cast for and against marijuana legalization and a tax surcharge for education.

The office is working on scheduling and logistics, and plans to announce a date and time soon when the work will begin, said Kristen Muszynski, director of communications for the office.

Both Question 1, which would legalize marijuana, and Question 2, which would add a 3 percent tax surcharge on individual income over $200,000, were narrowly approved on Nov. 8, based on the secretary of state’s unofficial results.

The marijuana question passed by 4,073 votes, 381,692 to 377,619, less than 1 percent, according to unofficial results from the Secretary of State’s Office.

Unless the recount reveals errors that change the outcome, the referendum proposal will make it legal for adults at least 21 years old to buy and possess up to 2½ ounces of marijuana.

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