Maine’s Secretary of State, Shenna Bellows has approved an initiative aimed at revoking the state’s laws legalizing adult-use cannabis consumption and the subsequnt dispensaries, cultivation, amd processing facilities necessary for an adult use cannabis market. This citizen-initiated measure is able to pass to the signature-seeking stage in which those in support of revoking the state’s adult-use cannabis system will rally their peers to support the initiative. With enough signatures i nthis stage, the messure will then appear on the 2026 or 2027 ballot, with the potential to recind ther terms of the Cannabis Legalization Act, passed in 2016.
Maine’s Cannabis Legalization Act passed narrowly in 2016 with only 50.3% of voters supporting the initiative to develop a legal, regulated adult-use cannabis market in Maine. Proponents of this new legislation to eliminate the adult-use cannabis program cite myrad issues in the state’s cannabis program, prompting this movement.
The new petition aims for a January 1, 2028 start date, giving supporters ample time to gather the required signatures and later support at the polls. The provisions included in this new initiative would curtail the cultivation, manufacturing and dispensary sales of adult-use cannabis as well as the state’s current home grow laws which allow for the cultivation of up to 6 plants for personal use by those aged 21 and older. Opponents of these measures acknowledge the $250 million annual marketplace and nearly 4,000 full-time industry jobs provided by the adult-use cannabis program in Maine. It is important also to note, that Maine’s adult-use is among the most tax-burdeoned of the adult-use states, with over $70 million in state revenue coming from a 10% excise tax in addition to licensing fees and a $335-per-pound cultivation tax on adult-use cannabis products. Under this proposal, individuals will still be able to possess up to 2 1/2 ounces of cannabis and gift such products amongst other adults aged 21+. Where this cannabis will come from after state-licensed dispensaries, cultivations, and processors cease to exist remains dubious.
Maine is the first state to take such direct action at repealing their adult-use cannabis policy. An estimated 67,682 valid signatures from registered Maine voters would need to be produced by February 2, 2026, to qualify for the 2026 general election, or by June 8, 2027, to qualify for the 2027 election. Current public support for this measure includes a diverse number of individuals from Maine’s Senator Scott Cyrway, R-Albion, who serves as a D.A.R.E. (Drug Abuse Resistance Education) coordinator and mentor and the Carey family, consisting of Madison and Travis Carey, who lead the Calvary Chapel of Greater Portland. Madison Carey is a trailblazer of this initiative, calling for adult-use laws to be repealed in response to problems with drug addiction she purports to see in her community as a result of the legal adult-use market. Colin T.R. Mack, of Brunswick, is listed by the secretary of state’s office as the main proponent behind the initiative petition. Little about Mack or his motivation for filing the petition is unknown at this time.
Many cannabis prohibitionists in Maine argue that the state’s medical program needs to be bolstered. Additionally, Maines messy cultivation network, in which cultivation operations manned by organized crime groups are our performing the state’s legal, licensed operations. Further testing and additional legislation is urged to help combat the dangerous consequences of such operations.
Explore our interactive Cannabis Legalization Map to learn more about cannabis legality across the United States.
