Portland Maine becomes first East Coast city to legalize marijuana

[-King-]

Portland, Maine, Legalizes Recreational Marijuana

By Robin Wilkey Posted: 11/05/2013 9:56 pm EST | Updated: 11/06/2013 12:06 pm EST


Portland, Maine, voters on Tuesday approved legalizing recreational marijuana for residents 21 and older. The measure, Question 1, passed with about 70 percent of the vote, making Portland the first East Coast city to legalize recreational pot.

Adult residents of Portland -- Maine's largest city -- may possess up to 2.5 ounces of marijuana under the referendum. The new measure does not permit the recreational purchase or sale of marijuana, nor does it permit its use in public spaces like parks.

"Most Portlanders, like most Americans, are fed up with our nation's failed marijuana prohibition laws," said David Boyer of the Marijuana Policy Project, a marijuana advocacy group. "We applaud Portland voters for adopting a smarter marijuana policy, and we look forward to working with city officials to ensure it is implemented."

Marijuana advocates anxiously awaited the city vote result:

Medical marijuana is already legal in Maine, and the Portland referendum is seen as largely symbolic, as it does not override state or federal laws. But the passage could spark further efforts to legalize recreational marijuana in the state, as it was in Washington and Colorado in November 2012.

"I think there's national implications, keeping the momentum that Washington and Colorado started last November in ending marijuana prohibition," said Boyert in anticipation of the vote. "This is just the next domino."

While the measure did not face organized opposition, some did raise concern over the Marijuana Policy Project's Metro bus ad campaign. Some said the ads promoted the use of marijuana, not just the passage of Question 1.

"It's highly inappropriate to be promoting pro-marijuana message in a place that has a large audience of people under the age of 21," said drug prevention group 21 Reasons spokeswoman Kate Perkins to local news group WCHS.

Metro officials reviewed the transit agency's policy and said the ads fall in line with political advertisements.


http://www.huffingtonpost.com/2013/1...n_4221919.html

[DaFace]

Originally Posted by durtyrute

You guys are talking like they would do something good with the tax money. We spend billions of dollars a year making lasers and going to other planets. Meanwhile, there are schools around the country that are starving for financial assistance. If they wanted to help they could do it now. But look at it like this, if it did become legal, the police might be able to get lamborghinis instead of chargers.

and more stun guns.

Really? Out of all the things you could have gone after, you choose the space program?

[patteeu]

Originally Posted by DaFace

Really? Out of all the things you could have gone after, you choose the space program?

And lasers!

[TLO]

Lasers are cool!

[durtyrute]

Originally Posted by DaFace

Really? Out of all the things you could have gone after, you choose the space program?

So, you're saying going to Mars is more important than your kids (if you have any) school?

[durtyrute]

Originally Posted by patteeu

And lasers!

I guess lasers are more important than funding for schools too.

[jerryforeverrice80]

new york needs to free the WEED asap.

[DaFace]

Originally Posted by durtyrute

So, you're saying going to Mars is more important than your kids (if you have any) school?

No, I'm saying you don't know what you're talking about. This is a little out of date (from 2010), but here's a chart of the federal budget.



Once you manage to find NASA in there, you'll understand how silly it is to think that reducing their funding would have an impact on education. Not to mention that you clearly don't have any clue how much our society has benefitted from discoveries made by NASA over the years. I'd list some of them, but it would take too long. Google it yourself if you would like to learn something.

http://pillownaut.blogspot.com/2010/11/nasa-myth.html

[durtyrute]

I am well aware of the discoveries made by NASA, but 18 billion dollars is still 18 billions dollars, whether it's 1% or 99%. Regardless, we're splitting hairs. I do not believe the tax money would be used correctly. Using your chart cuts could be made everywhere, but they are not and here we are....







































with lasers.

[Katipan]

If you pour all the money into making smarter kids they're just going to want to play with rockets and lasers anyways.

[Ace Gunner]

Originally Posted by durtyrute

I am well aware of the discoveries made by NASA, but 18 billion dollars is still 18 billions dollars, whether it's 1% or 99%. Regardless, we're splitting hairs. I do not believe the tax money would be used correctly. Using your chart cuts could be made everywhere, but they are not and here we are....







































with lasers.

I thought it refreshing you chose a budget that does not handle natl services. I was thinking you chose it particularly for this reason, but you know, that's jmo

[ReynardMuldrake]

Originally Posted by durtyrute

I am well aware of the discoveries made by NASA, but 18 billion dollars is still 18 billions dollars, whether it's 1% or 99%. Regardless, we're splitting hairs. I do not believe the tax money would be used correctly. Using your chart cuts could be made everywhere, but they are not and here we are....

NASA does not get nearly enough money as is. They are one of the few things our government does that I am legitimately proud of.

Hell, I'm still pissed off that they cancelled the supercollider.