Lawmakers override LePage veto, endorse sweeping medical marijuana reforms

[Zing Zing Zingbah]

Source: Portland Press Herald

Maine state lawmakers overturned a gubernatorial veto to pass a sweeping medical marijuana reform bill on Monday.

The Maine House voted 119-23 and the Maine Senate voted 25-8 to override a veto by Gov. Paul LePage and adopt legislation that will allow patients to use marijuana if a doctor deems it medically beneficial, grant six new medical dispensary licenses, permit caregivers to expand their business operations and give the state and municipalities more power to regulate them.

“Maine’s medical cannabis program is already one of the best in the country,” said Sen. Eric Brakey, R-Auburn, who as co-chairman of the health and human services committee helped write the new law. “The passage of LD 1539 will make it even stronger. More access and choice for patients. More flexibility for legal businesses. And more integrity to the overall program.”

Read more: https://www.pressherald.com/2018/07/09/lawmakers-endorse-sweeping-medical-marijuana-reforms/

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I love this. LePage isn't even with his party when it comes to this issue in Maine. The younger Republicans are all about making money off of marijuana. What's nice is a doctor can prescribe marijuana for any condition now. Considering recreational use is legalized in Maine, seems like they should give doctors more flexibility in prescribing. Won't be able to buy recreational marijuana in stores until LePage is gone though. He's been getting in the way of setting that up too.

[sandensea]

1. Baron Pagekonnen will just have to learn to blaze a bull.

Last edited Tue Jul 10, 2018, 12:23 AM - Edit history (1)

[cntrfthrs]

11. I'm an enrolled member of the Mandan Hidatsa Arikara Tribes of North Dakota and...

your crack about a 'peace pipe' is racist.

[sandensea]

12. Edited accordingly.

I meant no offense; it's just that where I grew up taking a toke was often referred to that way.

Beg your pardon, cntrfthrs.

[CaliforniaPeggy]

2. I was hoping they could override his veto, and I'm thrilled they were able to!

He needs a giant boot in the rear.

He is so negative, all the time.

[Zing Zing Zingbah]

5. Yes, thankfully the Maine legislature can still work together on some issues

because LePage pretty much vetoes everything. They have actually passed a lot of things over these past eight years in spite of him. Pretty amazing given the national political climate. I think they aren't quite as polarized within this state and maybe that's because it is more local, more like dealing with your neighbors than it is at the federal level.

[Joe Nation]

3. Why is that ASSHOLE still in office?

He is a mental case.

[Zing Zing Zingbah]

4. He'll be termed out Jan 2019

We have to put with his shit until then.

[AZ8theist]

6. EXACTLY.

How could anyone from Maine vote for this imbecile??

Isn't he the one who talked about "speedy" and "shifty" drug dealers impregnating white Maine girls??

What a fucking jerkoff....

[Zing Zing Zingbah]

7. Because we got 30 to 40% die-hard Republican numb skulls in Maine

just like every place else in this country. We always have independents running and that has helped extremists like him get into office. Die-hard Republicans vote for him and then everyone else is split between the Democrats and Independents. Unfortunately, independents seem to siphon off more votes from the Democrats than the Republicans. This is why Maine voters have voted twice now to get Ranked Choice Voting. Mainers recognize the system is broken because the majority of us hate LePage. He has been voted in by a minority every time. Thank goodness we have term limits on the governor at least.

[SunSeeker]

8. K & R

[Cryptoad]

9. I may need to move to Maine,,,,,,,

that way if things get too far out of hand with the Trumpsters I can slip the Canadian border at night..! All these Golden Year's pain killers are killing me!

[AlexSFCA]

10. Now what is the polling in Maine on the issue of abortion?

Collins must be aware of it.

[Scurrilous]

13. K&R

[malthaussen]

14. Suck it, snowflake.

Nice to start the day with a laugh.

-- Mal

[Zing Zing Zingbah]

15. Here's a few more overturned LePage vetoes

http://www.sunjournal.com/lawmakers-save-lead-paint-program-school-clinic-funding-but-not-hearing-aids/

"LePage did not oppose the lead program. His veto was part of a last-minute press to convince lawmakers to slow the growth in the minimum wage."

LePage vetoed all bills recently, even bills he personally supported, because he was trying to bully lawmakers over the minimum wage. I believe he doesn't want to implement minimum wage increases Mainers voted for.