Way to go, Portland! So now what?

Balzac89 said:

The city police would required to enforce the law of 2.5 oz possession, but Sheriffs and State police would not.

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Not according to Portland's police chief. He intends to enforce state law.

Just got back from portland now a good night out
back in biddeford now checking out more homes tmrw in Maine 😄 went to a pub in portland called shays nice beers on tap! then went to a place 5 55 5 awsome food there great night in portland riu

While the police chief said nothing will change were the police outside of the election center arresting people for smoking? No. And when theirs a rally on 4/20 will they be busting people for voting in public? No. So this does mean something. Also I would bet we see a buisness or two that offer club membership and allow cannabis use.

Is portland police chief appointed or elected? When almost a 70% of the public casts their will and the bureaucrats still stand in the way they will either have to adapt or be pushed aside.

Good points, RM. What they say for the newspaper and how they ultimately act could be very different. I understand the arrests or summons for weed are pretty low to begin with.

All will be fine in 2016!

Jagged Ice said:

Big victory for our movement but state law usurps the ordinance

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Devils advocate: Doesn't Federal Law usurp the whole movement in America?!

This notion that if the Chief of Police see a conflict of State Law and the City Code, he gets to pick the one he likes better, is NONSENSE! Same thing in states like mine with weak governors who delay progress because, you know, we gotta worry about that Federal Law. Thomas Jefferson said "That government is best which is closest to the people." It used to be the cities and the states had the power, now everyone (including our mayors and governors) looks to Washington for the rules by which to conduct their lives. Pretty sad.

And of course they won't arrest anyone on 4/20 or post Election Night. They'll arrest somebody one night at 2:45 AM on Downscale Drive for failure to signal a turn and felony possession. No cameras, no live shots, you'll be writing checks for months.

As the OP (Tet) said; now what?

Maine Marijuana laws once again cause more questions than answers.

http://www.pressherald.com/news/Portland_tries_to_clear_up_marijuana_confusion_.html

The ordinance, which takes effect Dec. 6, would allow adults over the age of 21 to possess and use up to 2.5 ounces of marijuana and paraphernalia for recreational purposes. Marijuana cannot be used in public under the ordinance, and it is still illegal to buy or sell marijuana.
On Thursday, Portland Mayor Michael Brennan said the city would not try to block the new ordinance from taking effect despite the conflict with state and federal prohibition laws.
“We talked about it and we have decided not to (challenge the ordinance) at this point,” Brennan said.
The city posted its interpretation of the ordinance on its website Friday.
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Portland Police Chief Michael Sauschuck has said officers will continue to use discretion and good judgment when enforcing state marijuana laws.
Portland police respond to more than 85,000 calls for service a year. From July 2012 to July 2013, police issued 54 summonses for marijuana possession. During the previous year, 68 summonses were issued.
City Councilor David Marshall, a Green Independent, said in a written statement he was encouraged that marijuana summonses have decreased by 26 percent.
“The voters expect the public and the police to comply with the new ordinance,” Marshall said. “The election results are a mandate that supports the discretion police are using in regards to adult marijuana enforcement.”

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the cheif is sworn in under STATE LAW not town law. ANY law offer in the State has to uphold State Law. Thats way this was a crap law that was passed , it didn't do anything. the effort to legalize marijuana has to go through the state!!!!!!