Judge overturns Maine marijuana ballot question denial
Source: Bangor Daily News
AUGUSTA, Maine A superior court judge has overturned Secretary of State Matt Dunlaps ruling that a citizen petition for a referendum to legalize recreational marijuana in Maine was invalid.
Superior Court Justice Michaela Murphy made the decision in a 26-page ruling issued Friday. She ruled that Dunlap committed an error of law by applying a vague, subjective and/or unduly burdensome interpretation of the law.
She wrote that variations in signatures are understandable, given how citizen petitions are conducted.
Murphys decision puts the question back on track to appear on the November state ballot. Dunlap now will have time to take a fresh look at the signatures to determine whether petitioners submitted enough valid ones to qualify for ballot placement.
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Read more: http://bangordailynews.com/2016/04/08/politics/judge-overturns-maine-marijuana-ballot-question-denial/
Elmer S. E. Dump
(5,751 posts)H2O Man
(73,577 posts)billhicks76
(5,082 posts)Peachhead22
(1,078 posts)On the surface this sounds like great news. Actually, from the headline, I thought it meant the initiative qualified for the ballot after the judge's intervention. But reading further it seems the judge just sent it back to the guy who came up with the bullshit "reason" to invalidate the signatures to begin with and told him, basically, to "count them again."
Giving him the opportunity to come up with a different bullshit excuse to keep the initiative off the ballot a 2nd time. I hope I'm wrong and hopefully the judge included an admonishment "I'm watching, no funny business this time".
phazed0
(745 posts)Please pass in November. The time for draconian drug laws and subversion of the Constitution is over.
it'll encourage voter turnout.
a kennedy
(29,683 posts)and my stash isn't ruled for medical purposes.....if you get my drift. hey, when are we getting a smilie with a joynt in hand???
phazed0
(745 posts)It's better with friends!
Maybe we can light up with a candle?
a kennedy
(29,683 posts)Uncle Joe
(58,378 posts)Thanks for the thread, jpak.