Maine Criminalize the Use of Recreational Marijuana Initiative (2027)
| Maine Criminalize the Use of Recreational Marijuana Initiative | |
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| Election date |
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| Topic Marijuana laws |
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| Status Cleared for signature gathering |
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| Type Indirect initiated state statute |
Origin |
The Maine Criminalize the Use of Recreational Marijuana Initiative may be on the ballot in Maine as an indirect initiated state statute on November 2, 2027.
The initiative would repeal the Maine Cannabis Legalization Act, which legalized the use of marijuana for recreational purposes for adults over the age of 21.[1]
The Maine Cannabis Legalization Act was established after voters approved Question 1 in 2026, with 50.3% voting to approve the measure.
The initiative would also require the Office of Cannabis Policy to expedite the transfer of registrations of existing adult-use cannabis companies to medical cannabis companies.[1] The initiative would not criminalize the use of marijuana under the Medical Use of Cannabis Act. [1]
Text of measure
Full text
The full text of the initiative can be read here.
Campaign finance
- See also: Ballot measure campaign finance, 2027
Mainers for a Safe and Healthy Future registered as the committee in support of the measure.[2] As of January 15, 2026, no committees had registered in opposition to the measure.
| Cash Contributions | In-Kind Contributions | Total Contributions | Cash Expenditures | Total Expenditures | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Support | $2,000,000.00 | $0.00 | $2,000,000.00 | $494,300.31 | $494,300.31 |
| Oppose | $0.00 | $0.00 | $0.00 | $0.00 | $0.00 |
| Total | $2,000,000.00 | $0.00 | $2,000,000.00 | $494,300.31 | $494,300.31 |
Support
The following table includes contribution and expenditure totals for the committee in support of the measure.[2]
| Committees in support of Criminalize the Use of Recreational Marijuana Initiative | |||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Committee | Cash Contributions | In-Kind Contributions | Total Contributions | Cash Expenditures | Total Expenditures |
| Mainers for a Safe and Healthy Future, Inc. | $2,000,000.00 | $0.00 | $2,000,000.00 | $494,300.31 | $494,300.31 |
| Total | $2,000,000.00 | $0.00 | $2,000,000.00 | $494,300.31 | $494,300.31 |
Donors
The following is the top donor who contributed to the support committees.[2]
| Donor | Cash Contributions | In-Kind Contributions | Total Contributions |
|---|---|---|---|
| Sam Action Inc. | $200,000.00 | $0.00 | $200,000.00 |
Methodology
To read Ballotpedia's methodology for covering ballot measure campaign finance information, click here.
Path to the ballot
Process in Maine
- See also: Laws governing ballot measures in Maine
An indirect initiated state statute is a citizen-initiated ballot measure that amends state statute. There are nine (9) states that allow citizens to initiate indirect state statutes.
While a direct initiative is placed on the ballot once supporters file the required number of valid signatures, an indirect initiative is first presented to the state legislature. Legislators have a certain number of days, depending on the state, to adopt the initiative into law. Should legislators take no action or reject the initiative, the initiative is put on the ballot for voters to decide.
In Maine, the number of signatures required for an indirect initiated state statute is equal to 10% of the total votes cast for governor in the last gubernatorial election prior to the filing of such petition. As an indirect process, the Legislature has until the end of the legislative session to approve the initiative after signatures are certified. If the legislature approves the initiative and the governor approves it, the measure becomes law. If the legislature does not approve the initiative, or if the governor vetoes the measure, it goes to voters for approval. A simple majority vote is required for voter approval.
The requirements to get an initiated state statute certified for the 2027 ballot:
Stage of this ballot initiative
Below is a timeline of the initiative:[3]
- December 8, 2025: Colin T.R. Mack submitted the initiative, and it was approved to begin gathering signatures.
- February 2, 2026: The campaign in support of the measure did not submit any signatures in support of the measure by the deadline for the 2026 ballot. The deadline to submit signatures to place the measure on the 2027 ballot is June 8, 2027.
External links
See also
View other measures certified for the 2027 ballot across the U.S. and in Maine.
Explore Maine's ballot measure history, including
Understand how measures are placed on the ballot and the rules that apply.
Footnotes
- ↑ 1.0 1.1 1.2 Maine Secretary of State, "An Act to Amend the Cannabis Legalization Act and the Maine Medical Use of Cannabis Act," accessed December 9, 2025
- ↑ 2.0 2.1 2.2 Maine Ethics Commission, "Campaign Finance Search," accessed January 21, 2026
- ↑ Maine Secretary of State, "Current Citizen Initiatives and People’s Vetoes," accessed December 9, 2025
