Maine Currents 9/28/16

Producer/Host: Amy Browne
Studio Engineer: John Greenman

In November Mainers will have an opportunity to vote to legalize marijuana in the state– but the details of the ballot question are raising concerns for some folks who are otherwise pro-legalization. Today we continue the conversation about this topic from our Sept 7th show. We again hear from both sides and then take calls from listeners.

Guests:
Hillary Lister, advocate/activist, patient & caregiver
Don Christen, Founder of the Maine Vocals
Paul McCarrier, President of Legalize Maine

FMI:
www.state.me.us/sos/cec/elec/upcoming/index.html
http://www.noon1.me/
legalizemaine.net/
mevocals.weebly.com/

WERU News Report 5/20/15

Producer/Host: Amy Browne
Engineer: John Greenman

(NOTE: Due to a problem with the recording, this archive starts with the show in progress)

As we go to air, the legislature’s Criminal Justice and Public Safety is holding public hearings for 2 bills that would legalize marijuana in Maine:

LD 1380 An Act To Legalize, Tax and Regulate Marijuana sponsored by Rep. Russell of Portland. This bill, if passed, would legalize the possession of up to an ounce of marijuana for a person 21 years of age and older, tax sales of marijuana and regulate the marijuana industry, which in the language of the bill is conducted by marijuana establishments. (Full text: http://legislature.maine.gov/legis/bills/bills_127th/billtexts/HP093501.asp)

And LD 1401 An Act To Allow for and Regulate the Adult Use of Cannabis sponsored by Rep. Dion of Portland. This bill would reform state marijuana laws by establishing an excise tax on marijuana, allowing the personal use and cultivation of cannabis and allowing, regulating and licensing certain commercial cannabis-related activities, while providing provisions to protect persons under 21 years of age, employers and schools.
(Full text: http://legislature.maine.gov/legis/bills/bills_127th/billtexts/HP095001.asp)

Today’s show features some of the testimony from the public hearing on these bills, and Hillary Lister of “Maine Matters” calls in from the statehouse with her impressions. We also take calls from listeners.

FMI: (The resource mentioned by Hillary Lister) https://mainecannabis.wordpress.com/

WERU News Report 3/4/15

Producer/Host: Amy Browne
Engineer/Reporter: John Greenman

Encouraging Maine towns to make plans for dealing with rising sea levels due to climate change, a challenge to the right to vote on legalizing marijuana locally, and balancing the budget on the backs of Maine’s most vulnerable — today we take you to public hearings held by the state legislature on these issues, and open the phone lines for your calls.

WERU News Report 6/11/14

Producer/Host: Amy Browne

Segment 1: Some residents of the small Aroostook County town of Crystal have spent the past year trying to prevent the spreading of septage waste on a field in that town. When the Department of Environmental Protection approved the septage application, abutting landowner Mike Charette appealed that decision to the Board of Environmental Protection. Last week the BEP denied his appeal and a few days ago the spreading of septage got underway. We spoke with Mike Charette and his partner Cyndi Mullens earlier today to get their reaction to the BEP’s denial of their appeal, and to find out what steps they plan to take next

Segment 2: We check in with David Boyer, the Maine political director of the Marijuana Policy Project. We spoke with him on Monday, as the group was preparing to go the the polls in 3 Maine cities, to gather signatures in support of legalization