Marijuana Legalization Clears Hurdle to Ballot

PORTLAND, Maine - Maine Secretary of State Matthew Dunlap says supporters of a referendum proposal to legalize marijuana have cleared the hurdle to appear on the November ballot.
 
Dunlap said Wednesday election officials have certified an additional 11,305 signatures. That brings the number over the threshold of 61,123 valid signatures.
 
Now the referendum initiative will go to lawmakers, who can either enact the proposal into law or send it to voters.
 
Dunlap's announcement came after Maine's chief justice removed a legal hurdle to allow the review of petitions to continue.
 
The latest review was ordered after a judge set aside Dunlap's decision to reject thousands of signatures because the notary's signature didn't match the signature on file in Augusta.