Bloc of 4,000 overseas voters to decide Maine marijuana vote
PORTLAND, Maine (AP) — Overseas absentee ballots from Tuesday’s election will determine whether recreational marijuana becomes legal in Maine.
The final results on the referendum were still being tabulated Thursday. The secretary of state’s office said the largest bloc of uncounted votes that remain are the more than 4,000 overseas absentee voters.
The difference between those for and against the measure was less than half a percentage point, according to unofficial results compiled by The Associated Press and The Portland Press Herald.
Medical marijuana is already legal in Maine.
Regardless of the final count, opponents have already vowed to request a recount. With the vote so close, they would not have to make a financial deposit.
“We’re standing firm,” said Scott Gagnon, an organizer of a campaign against legalization. “We just think, when it’s this close, that we owe it to our supporters, and the nearly half of Maine that’s already voted no.”
Still, supporters have declared themselves the winners and predicted home cultivation of marijuana would be legal by around Christmas.
“The Maine people have passed it, and we should work on implementing it,” said Republican state Sen. Eric Brakey, of Auburn, who supported the ballot issue.
If approved, people 21 or older could use up to 2 1/2 ounces of marijuana, and retail marijuana shops and social clubs could open around the state. Some municipalities have balked at allowing such businesses to open in their communities.
California, Nevada and Massachusetts passed similar measures this year.
___
Associated Press writer David Sharp in Portland contributed to this report.
