Marijuana Policy Project: on Drugs
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
Phil Scott:
Add regulated marijuana sales to legalized possession
Eleven states have legalized marijuana for adults 21 and over. The Marijuana Policy Project played a central role in the coalitions that passed initiatives to legalize and regulate marijuana in CO, AK, MA, ME, MI, and NV. Ten of those states--
AK, CA, CO, IL, ME, MA, MI, NV, OR & WA--have launched marijuana sales for adults. In the 11th state, Vermont, Gov. Phil Scott signed a bill into law yesterday to add regulated sales to an existing law that legalized personal possession and cultivation.
Source: MPP.org press release on 2022 Vermont gubernatorial race
Oct 8, 2020
Phil Scott:
Make low-level marijuana possession legal for adults
Gov. Phil Scott officially signed a bill into law that makes marijuana legal for adults in Vermont. H. 511 eliminates Vermont's civil penalty for possessing one ounce or less of marijuana and removes penalties for possession of up to two mature
marijuana plants and up to four immature plants for people 21 and older."After more than 15 years of hard work by MPP and our allies in the state, adults in Vermont no longer need to fear being fined or criminalized for low-level marijuana possession
and cultivation," said the New England political director for the Marijuana Policy Project. Vermont is the ninth state to make marijuana legal for adults and the first to do so through its legislature. Eight other states have
enacted laws legalizing and regulating marijuana for adult use, all through ballot initiatives."
Legislative outcome: Passed House 81-63-5 on Jan. 4; signed by Governor on Jan. 22.
Source: MPP.org on Vermont legislative voting record H.511
Jan 22, 2018
Donald Trump:
2016: let states decide on pot; 2018: feds over state law
While on the campaign trail, President Trump was asked his view on state marijuana policy reform, and he consistently said it should be a states' rights decision.29 states have enacted effective medical marijuana laws. Marijuana is legal and
regulated for adults in 8 states.
[But Trump's] Attorney General Jeff Sessions has rescinded the Department of Justice policy that directed federal law enforcement not to target individuals or businesses that are in compliance with state law.
From August 2013 until yesterday, the Department of Justice policy had been not to enforce federal marijuana laws against individuals or businesses in states that are complying with
state medical or adult-use marijuana laws, provided that one of eight federal priorities is not implicated.
Source: MPP.org on 2018 Trump Administration
Jan 4, 2018
Jeff Sessions:
Enforce federal marijuana laws even when state laws allow it
Attorney General Sessions has rescinded the policy that directed federal law enforcement not to target individuals or businesses that are in compliance with state law.In a memo to federal prosecutors dated January 4, Sessions said, "In deciding
which marijuana activities to prosecute under these laws with the Department's finite resources, prosecutors should follow the well-established principles that govern all federal prosecutions. Previous nationwide guidance specific to marijuana
enforcement is unnecessary and is rescinded, effective immediately."
From August 2013 until yesterday, the Department of Justice policy had been not to enforce federal marijuana laws against individuals or businesses in states that are complying with
state medical or adult-use marijuana laws, provided that one of eight federal priorities is not implicated.
While on the campaign trail, President Trump he consistently said that marijuana policy should be a states' rights decision.
Source: MPP.org on 2018 Trump Administration
Jan 4, 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
Charlie Baker:
Legal marijuana sales in Massachusetts by 2020
Gov. Charlie Baker today signed the marijuana compromise bill sent to him last week by the Legislature, setting the stage for creation of the regulatory structure to oversee legal marijuana sales in Massachusetts.This legislative outcome means that
by January 2020, Massachusetts will be the only state in the country where all bans on adult-use marijuana businesses will require approval by local voters.
The compromise bill's most significant changes relate to local control and taxes.
The legislation adjusts the local control policy, allowing local government officials in towns that voted "no" on the 2016 ballot initiative to ban marijuana businesses until December 2019. For towns that voted "yes" in 2016, any bans must be placed on
a local ballot for voters to approve. The maximum sales tax rate (which depends on whether towns adopt optional local taxes) will increase from 12% to 20%. Under the bill, the state tax will be 17% and the local option will be 3%.
Source: MPP.org on 2018 Massachusetts Gubernatorial race
Jul 28, 2017
Bruce Lisman:
No legalization now; let's see what happens in other states
Q: Would you eliminate penalties for possession of small amounts of marijuana by adults? Will you support creating a reasonable system for regulating and taxing marijuana production and sales in Vermont?Bruce Lisman did not respond to MPP's survey
asking about marijuana legalization. "I say, 'No, not now,' Lisman said on VT Public Radio. "It's not clear to me that we understand well enough what's happening in the other states that have legalized it or the process by which they've gone through."
Source: MPP.org Voter Guide on 2016 Vermont Governor primary race
Sep 9, 2016
Matt Dunne:
Legalize marijuana quickly; prohibition hasn't worked
Q: Would you eliminate penalties for possession of small amounts of marijuana by adults? Will you support creating a reasonable system for regulating and taxing marijuana production and sales in Vermont?
Will you support allowing adults to grow a limited amount of marijuana for their own personal use?Former State Sen. Matt Dunne (D-Hartland) responded yes to all three MPP survey questions. "I actually believe that we need to move forward with the
legalization of marijuana, because I don't know anyone who thinks that prohibition has actually worked," Dunne said on Vermont Public Radio in June. "In fact,
I think we need to move relatively quickly, so that we're not having to react to other states that, as I understand it, are planning on putting this issue on a referendum."
Source: MPP.org Voter Guide on 2016 Vermont Governor primary race
Sep 9, 2016
Phil Scott:
No legalization at this time; but I'm not saying never
Q: Would you eliminate penalties for possession of small amounts of marijuana? Will you support creating a reasonable system for regulating and taxing marijuana production and sales? Will you support allowing adults to grow a limited amount of marijuana
for personal use?Lieutenant Gov. Phil Scott (R-Berlin) did not respond to MPP's survey asking about marijuana legalization. "I'm not saying never," Scott said on Vermont Public Radio in June. "I'm saying it's the timing's not right. It's not now."
Source: MPP.org Voter Guide on 2016 Vermont Governor primary race
Sep 9, 2016
Sue Minter:
Supports legalizing marijuana
Q: Would you eliminate penalties for possession of small amounts of marijuana by adults? Will you support creating a reasonable system for regulating and taxing marijuana production and sales in Vermont? Will you support allowing adults to grow a
limited amount of marijuana for their own personal use?Former State Rep. Sue Minter did not respond to MPP's survey asking about marijuana legalization. "I do support the legalization of marijuana," Minter said on Vermont Public Radio in June.
Source: MPP.org Voter Guide on 2016 Vermont Governor primary race
Sep 9, 2016
James Webb:
Stop locking up people for mere possession
"The time has come to stop locking up people for mere possession and use of marijuana. It makes far more sense to take the money that
would be saved by such a policy and use it for enforcement [against] gang-related activities." Webb's book, A Time To Fight, May 2008
Source: MPP.org on "A Time To Fight", by Jim Webb
Nov 11, 2015
Mike Huckabee:
Let states experiment with pot legalization
On state laws on marijuana: "I'm willing to let states operate under the 10th Amendment. I'm willing for the states--if they think that marijuana and the legalization of it is a great thing--I'm willing for them to experiment and find out.
And if it works and it turns out that the presence of recreational marijuana makes them a more prosperous state ... well heck, we may just all want to reach out there and grab that."
Source: MPP.org on 2016 presidential hopefuls
Oct 27, 2015
Ted Cruz:
Let states be laboratories of democracy on marijuana
At the 2015 Conservative Political Action Conference, Sen. Cruz said he is opposed to the legalization of marijuana for adult use, but he believes states should have the right to establish their own marijuana policies: "I actually think this is a great
embodiment of what Supreme Court Justice Louis Brandeis called the laboratories of democracy. If the citizens of Colorado decide they want to go down that road, that's their prerogative. I don't agree with it, but that's their right."
Source: MPP.org on 2015 Conservative Political Action Conf.
Feb 26, 2015
Page last updated: Dec 10, 2020