Maine now joins 7 more states that can legally use marijuana for the purpose of recreational use, in spite of the federal prohibitions on the use of marijuana. The road to legalization in Maine was not actually easy, starting off with 2 highly competing initiatives as well as a legal challenge for getting a referendum question in November ballot. Once this legalization was actually approved in the close vote, the opponents asked a recount; however after 2 weeks of counting ballots, no changes were there in the final outcome.

The state will now be entering a fast growing industry that is expected to touch $21 billion (sales) by the end of the year 2021. In the previous year, the North Americans had actually spent around $6.9 billion on the legal cannabis products, 34% more than that of 2015, as per a report from the Market Research by Arcview.

The actual transition to legal pot has definitely not been smooth in many states, and the lawmakers in Maine actually rushed to certainly address many potential flaws in the law that was voter-approved before even it took effect. This legalization does prohibit marijuana consumption while driving and it actually delays the actual start of the retail sales up to the 2018 (February), offering agencies a lot of time for crafting as well as implementing rules that govern the industry.

The adults may now be allowed legally to have a joint, though some things will not at all change, and it is definitely a big no. It is illegal to drive while one is under the marijuana influence. Marijuana purchase without a license is still considered to be illegal and one cannot use these products in public or nobody can give marijuana to any people under the age of 21.

Here are some things you will have to know about the legal use of marijuana in Maine.

• Marijuana is legal from January 30 in Maine; however, it is still not legal to sell the drug.

• One has to be at least 21 years of age to use marijuana.

• You will be given 2 options – either to smoke in a private place like your home or smoke in a social club that is state licensed for smoking marijuana. One can be fined heavily if found smoking marijuana in public.

Though recreational marijuana is legal in Maine, one needs to be aware of the laws governing it before using it.