© 2024 Maine Public | Registered 501(c)(3) EIN: 22-3171529
Play Live Radio
Next Up:
0:00
0:00
0:00 0:00
Available On Air Stations
Scroll down to see all available streams.

Lawmakers Override LePage's Veto, Moving The Retail Marijuana Market A Step Closer to Reality

Robert F. Bukaty
/
AP Photo
A marijuana bud in Portland, Maine 2017

The Legislature has finally agreed on a bill that will allow for the retail sale and cultivation of recreational marijuana. The House and Senate both voted Wednesday to override a veto of the bill by Gov. Paul LePage, which means the bill is now law.

Sale of commercial marijuana was approved by voters back in 2016, but implementation has been slow.

The bill eliminates marijuana social clubs, reduces the number of plants that people can have and prohibits sale near schools.

Under the bill, Maine could allow retail pot sales to adults as early as next year.

Political correspondent Steve Mistler joined Maine Things Considered to explain what the new law does and what happens next.

This story was originally published May 2, 2018 at 5:42 p.m. ET.

Journalist Steve Mistler is Maine Public’s chief politics and government correspondent. He is based at the State House.