A Maine legislator by the name of Diane Russell will be introducing a bill during the next legislative session that would legalize adult recreational cannabis consumption and possession. This is stellar news for cannabis proponents and the resident tokers of Maine. Russell understands the current situation isn’t working and would like to see the revenue from the criminal element be redirected toward early childhood education and even law enforcement. Diane had this to say in regards to the existing drug policies in her state: “I think it’s time to have a conversation about how we regulate this product. Right now it’s in the black market. Children have easy access to it. And we need to stop that.”

Russell went on to clarify her ideas on how the reallocated revenue would benefit local law enforcement agencies: “Instead of spending our law enforcement money tracking down people who are growing marijuana plants, I’d like to see our law

enforcement empowered to focus on the issues that are truly devastating communities – things like bath salts, things like domestic violence, things like drug diversion.” She has touched on some incredibly valid points concerning the time and funds that law enforcement agencies squander on a daily basis across our nation.

As with any measure whether it is cannabis or ‘cooked meats only allowed on Tuesdays’, you will find an opposition. Taking the opposition spotlight for today’s story is none other than Robert Williams, the chief of the Maine State Police department. Can you tell us your thoughts on the legalization of cannabis? : “Alcohol has been legalized for many, many years, but yet its impact to some degree you could almost classify as devastating, if you take into account all the motor vehicle crashes that it causes, destruction of families from drinking and addictions,” Williams says, “So would marijuana just become the new alcohol?”

We can’t blame Robert for his ignorance, but we know here in the cannabis community that comparing alcohol use to cannabis use is disputable. The opposing forces need to be educated with scientific knowledge and factual information. We can’t continue allowing people of significant status to speculate about cannabis use, we must insist they base their reasoning on the truth. Educate so we can all recreate and medicate legally.

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