The national Marijuana Policy Project is targeting York as an area to potentially ask residents to legalize the recreational use of pot, according to the organization's Maine Political Director David Boyer.

The national Marijuana Policy Project is targeting York as an area to potentially ask residents to legalize the recreational use of pot, according to the organization's Maine Political Director David Boyer.



The petitioned question would go on the November ballot, according to Boyer.



"It's definitely at the top of our list," Boyer said Monday of York. "York is among other cities as a possibility."



Other potential Maine cities include Lewiston and South Portland, though Boyer would not confirm that the Marijuana Policy Project has definite plans to begin ballot petitions in those areas or any other in Maine.



If the Marijuana Policy Project goes forward with a petition in York, organizers would expect to be gathering signatures at the polls during the June primary election, Boyer said.



If enough signatures are gathered and the question passes voter approval in November, the measure would remove penalties for marijuana possession, allowing individuals to possess and consume pot privately, he said. Public smoking of marijuana would not be allowed, he said.



York is being eyed because it is geographically close to New Hampshire with a good cross section of media outlets, Boyer said.



The goal is to lay the groundwork for statewide legalization of marijuana in November 2016, in an effort similar to the successful legalization of pot in Colorado.



"The initiative for 2016 is to put taxing and regulating marijuana on the ballot." Boyer said. "We're in the process of drafting it. Essentially in November 2016, Mainers statewide would have the opportunity to tax and regulate marijuana in a manner similar to alcohol, similar to the law in Colorado. We were one of primary backers (in) Colorado. I bet the majority of Mainers are for it."



Last year the Marijuana Policy Project was among organizations that successfully led an initiative in Portland legalizing the individual possession of 2.5 ounces of pot. Boyer said Portland residents passed it by 67 percent of the vote.



However police in Portland continue to follow state law, he said.



Police in York would also abide by state law, according to Chief Doug Bracy.



"We're sworn to protect the Constitution of the State of Maine," Bracy said on Tuesday. "It confuses the issue. Much like the medical marijuana issue we dealt with last week.



Good legislation is well thought-out and well-written."



Last week, Bracy said a medical marijuana facility in York was growing and dispensing marijuana legitimately under state law, but the town had no authority over the operation.



Town officials are now working with the Planning Board to get a local ordinance regulating medical marijuana facilities.



The 2016 state ballot question legalizing marijuana would require an estimated 55,000 signatures, Boyer said.



From an economic standpoint, "It would bring Maine millions," Boyer said.



Colorado has seen $160 million in revenue over the past 18 months, according to Boyer.



"The first state in New England to get onboard is really going to benefit," he said.



As a gubernatorial issue this year, none of the three leading candidates — Gov. Paul LePage, Democrat Mike Michaud nor Independent Eliot Cutler — have committed to being for or against the issue, Boyer said.



"We want to let people know, it's OK to use marijuana instead of alcohol," Boyer said. "Our point is adults shouldn't be punished at all for using marijuana."