The bill Maines Governor wanted to pass doubling the fines for Marijuana offenses

http://www.mapinc.org/newsnorml/v05/n814/a05.html

has passed I hear. This law I understand also makes fines manditory.

The real clincher here is that I hear the appropriations for this additional revinue is going to be used to fund the DEA here in Maine…you know the ones who call themselves Maine DEA.


http://mainegov-images.informe.org/governor/baldacci/issues/budget/
06-07Budget/Part%20II%20GF%20Part%20A%202006.pdf/

New Initiative: Provides funds to partially offset grant reductions and eventual elimination of federal dollars for the
Maine Drug Enforcement Agency.
Performance Measures Affected

GENERAL FUND
Total (2005)742,287 (2006)1,603,547


FEDERAL EXPENDITURES FUND
Total (2005)(517,992 (2006)1,746,002



The question still begs to be answered. Will the role the DEA has played here in Maine continue to be one of oppressive government excess as administered through the Drug War.

Or will the DEA now that its getting its life blood from Maine citizens have the nerve to turn there backs on there previous owner George W. Bush and support the majority of Maine citizens who voted to support Medical Marijuana laws here.

It will be interesting to see this scenario play out over this next year!

-Frank