Push to Roll Back Maine's Recreational Marijuana Law Gains Ballot Momentum
12/12/2025
Advocates in Maine launched a signature drive Monday to repeal key provisions of the state's recreational marijuana law, setting the stage for a potential statewide ballot measure in November 2026. The effort aims to undo commercial aspects of the 2016 Cannabis Legalization Act while preserving limited personal possession and bolstering oversight for medical cannabis. Supporters must gather 67,682 verified signatures from registered voters to secure a spot on the ballot.
The proposal would eliminate allowances for commercial cultivation, sales, purchases, and manufacturing of cannabis and related products. It also calls for scrapping the tax on such items. Personal use would remain legal up to 2½ ounces of cannabis, but home growing for recreational purposes would end. Under the initiative, the Office of Cannabis Policy would implement mandatory testing and tracking for medical cannabis, screening for contaminants. Current recreational license holders could fast-track registration into the medical program.
The push comes amid heightened scrutiny of the recreational market. Last week, state regulators issued another recall for contaminated products, part of a string of safety alerts this year. Officials have pulled multiple batches from shelves due to pesticide residues and other hazards, raising questions about regulatory gaps.
Maine's cannabis industry has boomed since voters approved recreational sales in 2016, with retail sales hitting $230 million so far in 2025. The sector employs thousands and draws tourists, but critics argue lax enforcement endangers public health. Proponents frame the repeal as a safeguard, prioritizing medical access over unregulated commerce.
Signature collection kicked off immediately, with backers facing a roughly 10-month window to meet the threshold. Maine law requires petitions to be filed by mid-2026 to be included on the ballot. If qualified, the repeal question would thrust marijuana policy back into the spotlight in a state where adult-use legalization passed with 60% support nearly a decade ago. Medical cannabis has been available since 1999, serving patients with conditions like chronic pain and PTSD. Recent recalls have amplified calls for reform, though industry leaders warn a full repeal could devastate jobs and revenue. The Secretary of State's Office will verify signatures in batches, with final certification due months before the election.
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The proposal would eliminate allowances for commercial cultivation, sales, purchases, and manufacturing of cannabis and related products. It also calls for scrapping the tax on such items. Personal use would remain legal up to 2½ ounces of cannabis, but home growing for recreational purposes would end. Under the initiative, the Office of Cannabis Policy would implement mandatory testing and tracking for medical cannabis, screening for contaminants. Current recreational license holders could fast-track registration into the medical program.
The push comes amid heightened scrutiny of the recreational market. Last week, state regulators issued another recall for contaminated products, part of a string of safety alerts this year. Officials have pulled multiple batches from shelves due to pesticide residues and other hazards, raising questions about regulatory gaps.
Maine's cannabis industry has boomed since voters approved recreational sales in 2016, with retail sales hitting $230 million so far in 2025. The sector employs thousands and draws tourists, but critics argue lax enforcement endangers public health. Proponents frame the repeal as a safeguard, prioritizing medical access over unregulated commerce.
Signature collection kicked off immediately, with backers facing a roughly 10-month window to meet the threshold. Maine law requires petitions to be filed by mid-2026 to be included on the ballot. If qualified, the repeal question would thrust marijuana policy back into the spotlight in a state where adult-use legalization passed with 60% support nearly a decade ago. Medical cannabis has been available since 1999, serving patients with conditions like chronic pain and PTSD. Recent recalls have amplified calls for reform, though industry leaders warn a full repeal could devastate jobs and revenue. The Secretary of State's Office will verify signatures in batches, with final certification due months before the election.
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