Cannabis has been legalized in some form in nearly every state. The majority of Americans favor reform, but not everyone is happy to see legal weed. In two states, efforts are underway to repeal cannabis legalization—and some experts are warning the community to take action before it’s too late.
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In Maine, a petition filed with the Secretary of State seeks to dismantle the state’s adult-use cannabis market. Under the initiative, commercial cultivation, production, and retail sales would be recriminalized. Home cultivation of cannabis for personal use would also reportedly be outlawed. Possession of cannabis would remain legal, as would the state’s medical marijuana market.
Republican state Senator Scott Cyrway, a longtime opponent of cannabis reform, supports the petition. He previously sponsored legislation to restrict cannabis advertising and co-sponsored bills that would have made it harder for people with prior convictions to obtain business licenses. Cyrway did not immediately respond to a request for comment.
The petition must be reviewed and approved by the Maine Secretary of State before supporters can begin gathering the necessary signatures to place the measure on the ballot.
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Meanwhile, proponents of similar measures in Massachusetts are gathering signatures ahead of a November 19th deadline. Like the Maine proposal, the Massachusetts initiatives would effectively end the adult-use market while keeping medical cannabis largely intact.
There are reports that some signature gatherers are misleading voters about the true nature of the initiatives. A representative from the Massachusetts attorney general’s office confirmed to Marijuana Moment that “complaints” have been received but declined to elaborate.
In a recent op-ed, two cannabis industry attorneys warned that the community should take the repeal efforts seriously, as they could have ripple effects across the national market. They argued that successful campaigns would be “politically catastrophic,” potentially inspiring similar initiatives elsewhere and reducing investment in the industry.
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It remains unclear whether either measure will make the ballot, but both show how prohibitionists continue to adapt their strategies, even as public support for legalization grows.
