Time to Legalize Marijuana in Maine

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Portland, Maine -- Today is April 20th, the unofficial "Marijuana Holiday." Across Maine, thousands of responsible citizens are making the choice to enjoy marijuana for medicinal and recreational purposes.

Of course, as with all things in life, moderation is key. Some people will smoke too much marijuana, eat too many McDonalds Big Macs and watch too much television.

When crimes are committed as a result of "addiction" (operating a vehicle under the influence, acting disorderly in public, stealing etc.) the state and its agents have every right to intervene on the public's behalf and in extreme cases, incarcerate repeat offenders.

But in the majority of cases, people are able to occasionally "do drugs" and also do great things in life. Want proof? The last three American presidents have all tried marijuana (and probably cocaine too).

Drug use is a personal choice and individuals should take responsibility for their own actions. And drug abuse is a medical issue. Our tax dollars would be better spent on quality health care than prisons.

Marijuana cannot be legalized until the federal government gets its act together and finally ends the war on drugs. But Mainers can alter our laws to effectively decriminalize marijuana in the meantime.

Maine's Medical Marijuana Initiative, on the statewide ballot this November, is one good step towards the complete legalization of marijuana. For more information about this citizen's initiative, read this guest editorial by Jonathan Leavitt, Executive Director of the Maine Marijuana Policy Initiative.