Democrats add recreational marijuana legalization to party platform

[eShirl]

http://stateandcapitol.bangordailynews.com/2014/05/31/democrats-add-recreational-marijuana-legalization-to-party-platform/

Delegates at the Democratic State Convention on Saturday voted overwhelmingly to add recreational marijuana legalization to the party platform.

At least 75 percent of the delegates voted in favor of supporting legalization for people 21 years of age or older. The vote means that the party’s platform, a lengthy and wide-ranging document meant to guide Democratic elected officials and define what the party stands for, now includes the following language: “Supports the legalization of marijuana for adults 21 years and older while protecting minors from its use.”

Stricken from the platform was “Supports a sensible, Maine-based solution to marijuana in view of the failure of the current prohibition.”

Recreational marijuana legalization has been under discussion in the Legislature and elsewhere in recent years. Attempts to put a legalization question to statewide referendum have failed, though the Maine Marijuana Policy Project is collecting signatures to do just that in 2016. Last November, 67 percent of Portland voters legalized possession of up to 2.5 ounces of marijuana.