On Nov. 21 the Maine State Legislature failed to vote a marijuana legalization bill out of committee, effectively killing it for the year. The bill had been introduced by state Rep. Diane Russell, Democratic representative of Portland, but the Legislative Council, which screens bills, voted 5-5 on advancing the bill to the floor, the tie counting as a defeat. It was particularly annoying that the one of the votes against was that of Senate President Justin Alfond, also a Democrat representing Portland, and this after Portland clearly showed its opinion on the matter by legalizing possession of 2.5 ounces of pot in a referendum question that passed with 70% support.
Maine State Representative Diane Russell
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