The Maine Legislature will consider a bill next year that aims to address the proliferation of illegal Chinese-owned marijuana growing operations across rural Maine.
The Legislative Council, which is comprised to top ranking state lawmakers, voted by a slim margin to allow a bill from Rep. John Andrews (R-Paris) to be considered when the legislature reconvenes in January.
[RELATED: Triad Weed: How Chinese Marijuana Grows Took Over Rural Maine…]
Rep. Andrew’s bill — An Act to Combat Racketeering by Foreign Organizations in Maine Cannabis Markets — is intended to provide local, county, and state law enforcement agencies with the authority and tools to combat what the Department of Homeland Security refers to as Asian Transnational Criminal Organizations (ATCOs).
“I’m grateful that the Legislative Council took this clear and present danger to Maine seriously by letting my bill in for the 2nd Session,” Andrews told the Maine Wire.
“I want the bill to cut through bureaucratic red tape and empower state, county and local law enforcement and prosecutors to work together to combat this ongoing criminal enterprise,” Andrews said.
Sen. Eloise Vitelli (D-Sagadahoc), Rep. Maureen Terry (D-Gorham), and Rep. Kristen Cloutier (D-Lewiston) were the only Legislative Council members who voted against the proposal.
Two other bills related to marijuana cultivation by ATCOs, one from Rep. Mike Soboleski (R-Phillips) and another from Rep. Billy Bob Faulkingham (R-Winter Harbor), did not make it through Thursday’s meeting of the council.
Faulkingham’s bill died after getting no votes from Vitelli, Terry, Cloutier, Sen. Mattie Daughtry (D-Cumberland), and House Speaker Rachel Talbot Ross (D-Portland).
Every Democrat on the council, including Senate President Troy Jackson (D-Aroostook), voted against Soboleski’s bill.
“I’m extremely disappointed that the Democrat controlled Legislative Council didn’t take up my bill that would tackle the illegal Chinese marijuana operations happening right now in rural Maine,” said Soboleski. “This is a serious issue and we need action. “
The vote on Andrew’s bill comes just one day after the Maine Wire published an investigative report detailing the sprawling network of Chinese-owned marijuana growing operations throughout rural Maine.
Eight weeks ago, Maine’s Congressional Delegation called on the U.S. Department of Justice and Attorney General Merrick Garland to crackdown on the illicit operations; however, no one from DOJ or the AG’s office has responded.
<span class="dsq-postid" data-dsqidentifier="23216 https://www.themainewire.com/?p=23216">7 Comments
Obviously, the Legislative Council doesn’t have the best interests of the people of Maine in their sights. This is a no brainer – get them out of Maine and out of the United States by any means necessary! Elections have consequences and this is one of the consequences of making marijuana legal in our great state. Think about this the next time you go to vote for these people or others like them.
Tonight, I watched your reporter in the WarRoom explaining the Chinese-owned Marijuana operations. I am in disbelief. You can’t make this stuff up. Everywhere the demo rats are in control there is chaos. Where is Susan Collins in all this? Sounds like Mainers are not made of the same grit Steve talked about.
AOC, Omar, Pressley and Tlaib make up the repugnant original DC “Squad”. It’s appropriate for Maine to have its own version. The list is long on candidates, bit I nominate RTR, Vitelli, Terry and Cloutier with Hickman as an alternate.
If it’s illegal, why are they allowed to continue these operations? So now we can’t even enforce the laws in our own state? Get in there and start destroying every one found. It shouldn’t make a difference who owns it, it’s ILLEGAL!
I drive all over three counties in my daily work. I see these structures with 4-7 heatpumps and I immediately know what they are however; just assumed these were legal sites used by the dozens of dispensaries per square mile.
What about those criminals on Reddit. As you know taking Maine weed across state lines is illegal. However there are a ton of people going on “Reddit” and going to r/mainetrees and they come from other states, stock up and leave.
“Can I travel outside of Maine with cannabis?
It’s illegal to leave Maine with any cannabis products—medical or recreational. Do not cross state lines or approach border crossing with cannabis in your possession. Mailing cannabis from Maine is also illegal.
See: 21 U.S.C. § 812, CBP Statement on Canada’s Legalization of Marijuana and Crossing the Border”
https://www.reddit.com/r/mainetrees/
Right. They (Maine gov.), don’t want anything done about the illegal grow houses, they lineing they wallets!