Maine Question 5, Medical Marijuana Expansion and Regulation Initiative (2009)
| Maine Question 5 | |
|---|---|
|
|
|
| Election date |
|
| Topic Marijuana laws |
|
| Status |
|
| Type Indirect initiated state statute |
Origin |
Maine Question 5 was on the ballot as an indirect initiated state statute in Maine on November 3, 2009. It was approved.
A "yes" vote supported expanding the medical marijuana law to cover more medical conditions and establishing a regulated distribution system. |
A "no" vote opposed expanding the medical marijuana law to cover more medical conditions and establishing a regulated distribution system. |
Election results
|
Maine Question 5 |
||||
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Result | Votes | Percentage | ||
|
|
332,038 | 58.87% | ||
| No | 232,024 | 41.13% | ||
Text of measure
Ballot title
The ballot title for Question 5 was as follows:
| “ | Do you want to change the medical marijuana laws to allow treatment of more medical conditions and to create a regulated system of distribution? | ” |
Path to the ballot
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.
See also
External links
Footnotes
| ||||||||||
