Maine’s Initiative to Treat Cannabis Publications like Pornography

Albeit Maine still has a pretty high shot at legalizing cannabis thanks to the upcoming ballot in November, a new law could make readers of marijuana-themed publications buy new issues from behind the counter, treating marijuana journalism the same way hardcore pornography is treated. It seems that the large cannabis advocacy group which is composed of Legalize Maine and the Marijuana Policy Project (MPP) has paved the way for a ballot measure that goes against the constitution of the United States and the ethics of the marijuana reform movement going on across the country.

When the two groups came together last October to make sure their initiatives did not inflict upon each other and had a negative impact on legalization, the coalition did not get rid of a rule that would regulate access to cannabis publications. The Marijuana Legalization Act was approved to be on the ballot in November and look to legalize marijuana in a way that would let adults 21 or older to buy marijuana in the same manner that they would buy alcohol. However, what people didn’t know is that marijuana magazines were going to be treated in the same manner as pornographic magazines, which the Attorney General said was ridiculous.

“We applaud the Attorney General’s decision to declare as unconstitutional this absurd rule that marijuana-related publications be treated like pornographic material,” Mason Tvert, with the Marijuana Policy Project, said. “The idea that stores can prominently display magazines touting the joys of drinking wine and smoking cigars, yet banish those that discuss a far safer substance to behind the counter, is absolutely absurd. The fact that legislators passed this rule despite being informed it is a gross violation of the U.S. Constitution demonstrates the bigotry that still exists with regard to marijuana. It is time for our elected leaders to get over their reefer madness and recognize that a majority of Coloradans—and a majority of Americans—think marijuana should be legal for adults.”