After an abortive start earlier this year, a well-funded effort to repeal adult-use cannabis sales in Maine says it’s on pace to qualify for the 2027 ballot, according to the Maine Morning Star.
Bankrolled entirely by a prominent anti-cannabis reform group that’s also suing to block federal marijuana rescheduling, Mainers for a Safe and Healthy Future says it has 40,000 of 67,682 signatures needed to qualify for a repeal question on next year’s ballot, the Morning Star reported.
The campaign seemed dormant after it failed to collect any signatures by a Feb. 2 deadline.
But after signature-gatherers were spotted throughout the state earlier this month during a primary election, Massachusetts-based campaign organizers claimed the effort is back on track for 2027.
Who’s trying to repeal adult-use cannabis sales?
The effort is funded by SAM Action, the campaign organization affiliated with prominent anti-reform group Smart Approaches to Marijuana, according to campaign finance records.
SAM Action reported contributing $2 million, $952,000 of which the campaign reported spending through the most recent disclosure period.
If the campaign is successful, Maine could be the second New England state to ask voters to repeal adult-use marijuana sales in quick succession.
A similar campaign in Massachusetts – also funded by SAM – recently survived a legal review process.
That brings the total SAM spent on rolling back cannabis sales to $3.5 million and counting, though the true number is likely much higher. The most recent campaign finance reporting period in Massachusetts ended Dec. 31.
Most of that was spent on paid signature-gatherers, according to records.
When would Maine cannabis sales stop?
The Maine ballot initiative would outlaw adult-use cannabis sales beginning in 2028. It would also impose, for the first time, laboratory testing and track-and-trace requirements on medical marijuana in the state.
Adult-use cannabis is a roughly $250 million annual industry in Maine, which also boasts one of the country’s most robust medical cannabis sectors.
There are about 112,000 registered cannabis patients in Maine, representing roughly 8% of the state population, according to state data.
Critics have accused both the Maine and Massachusetts repeal efforts of resorting to deceptive tactics to lure voters into signing the petitions.
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Can the legal cannabis industry defend adult-use retail sales?
While legalization remains broadly popular according to most polling, it remains to be seen whether the national industry can rally and contribute to an opposition campaign led by state Rep. David Boyer.
Boyer wants to ensure cannabis supporters can enjoy at least some visibility in the media and on the campaign trail, he told the Morning Star
“We don’t have to match one to one, but you know it’s never great politically if your opponent’s on TV and you don’t have the funds to respond back,” he said, according to the outlet.
