Democrat Shenna Bellows, who is challenging Republican Sen. Susan Collins in November’s election, received endorsements Wednesday from two organizations that are pushing to legalize marijuana at the state and federal levels.

Bellows, who supports legalizing and regulating marijuana more like alcohol, received endorsements from the political action committees of the National Organization for the Reform of Marijuana Laws and the Marijuana Policy Project. A bill has been introduced in Congress to legalize marijuana but is unlikely to pass.

Additional Photos Shenna Bellows

“Shenna Bellows has been at the forefront of the fight for marijuana legalization even before beginning this campaign,” Erik Altieri, manager of the PAC of the National Organization for the Reform of Marijuana Laws, said in a statement released by the Bellows campaign. “Shenna has demonstrated she has the skill and determination to fight for sensible reforms and has proven to be a vocal and articulate leader in calling for the end of marijuana prohibition.”

The Marijuana Policy Project was heavily involved in last year’s legalization vote in Portland, and is gearing up for a 2016 ballot initiative to legalize pot statewide in Maine.

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