Maine gov proposes stalling rec marijuana sales until 2019

Maine’s Republican governor is proposing that state lawmakers consider simply delaying recreational marijuana sales, instead of passing a legislative rewrite of the voter-approved marijuana law.

The Maine Legislature is set to return Monday to consider a rewrite offered by a legislative committee handling adult-use marijuana implementation.

Republican House Minority Leader Ken Fredette said he is sponsoring Gov. Paul LePage’s bill to delay rec MJ sales to January 2019. Lawmakers had previously pushed back implementation to this coming February.

Fredette said there are concerns about the committee’s proposal and lawmakers having the time to read the 70-page bill, which would also delay sales until 2019.

Advocacy group Legalize Maine said the committee’s bill would make it harder to set up marijuana businesses. The bill would require towns to “opt in” to the adult-use marijuana market.

– Associated Press