Maine Street Solutions – Representing Maine Cannabis Industry Association for government relations and lobbying.
Why did MCIA choose Maine Street Solutions for government relations?
The answer is simple:
experience, proven results and integrity.
Recreational Marijuana Case Study – Grassroots, Legal & Lobbying
Maine Street Solutions (MSS) has been involved in the recreational marijuana market development since day one. Representing medical marijuana businesses, national marijuana advocacy organizations and local community interests, MSS worked to successfully place Question 1 on the ballot, pass it, prevail in a recount, and pass legislation implementing a safe and responsible recreational marijuana market in Maine.
In 2015, Legalize Maine and Marijuana Policy Project had both put forward competing recreational marijuana referendum questions. Understanding the impact of competing measures on the likelihood of success, Maine Street Solutions met with both sides and mediated negotiations, which led to a combined effort, later becoming Question 1. Following the merge, Maine Street Solutions served as campaign advisors, assisting with signature collection, media and public relations, community and business outreach, paid advertising and strategic grassroots efforts. As a result, the campaign gathered the necessary signatures and Question 1 passed with roughly 50.3% of the vote (381,768 votes to 377,773 votes).
Following the successful election, the opponents requested a recount. Maine Street Solutions, in conjunction with attorneys at Verrill Dana, served as legal counsel and consultants for the recount. In the end, the measure was officially successful and became Maine state law.
As a result, the Legislature formed the Marijuana Legalization and Implementation Committee to vet the voter-approved legislation and clarify various pieces of the law. Maine Street Solutions represented a group of stakeholders during the two-year legislative process. Maine Street Solutions worked one on one with individual committee members to help educate them on what a recreational market could look like in Maine, focusing on community safety, responsible adult use of marijuana and the economic benefit for the state. Participating in stakeholder meetings, hundreds of committee meetings and many one on one meetings, MSS worked to help define the Maine law and ensure that all voices were equally heard.
Throughout the process, Maine Street Solutions worked alongside the referendum opposition to hear their concerns and work with them to help ensure Maine passed the best possible law. When the bill reached the House and Senate floor, it was passed with a two-thirds, 112-34 in the House and 24-10 in the Senate.
Following the successful vote, Maine Street Solutions worked alongside the other stakeholders to defeat the Governor’s veto. Ultimately, LD 1719, “An Act to Implement a Regulatory Structure for Adult Use Marijuana,” became public law on May 2, 2018 when the House voted to override the Governor’s veto 109-39 and the Senate followed voting to override 28-6.
