Criminal Justice (Drug Policy)

failed · Maine · House Jun 10, 2025

LD 1034: An Act To Decriminalize Personal Possession Of Therapeutic Amounts Of Psilocybin For Adults

LD 1034 would decriminalize the personal possession of up to one ounce of psilocybin for adults aged 21 or older in Maine. Currently, possessing psilocybin is a criminal offense, but this bill removes that penalty for small amounts held by adults. The key provision specifies that possession of one ounce or less of psilocybin by a person 21 years or older would no longer be considered a violation of state law. This change applies solely to personal possession and does not affect the legal status of psilocybin for sale, distribution, or other uses.

Topics ✓ Criminal JusticeSupports Criminal JusticeDecriminalizes psilocybin possession for adults, reducing criminal penalties and aligning with drug reform efforts in criminal justice.95% confidence

Sub-Topics Drug Policy

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failed · Maine · House Jun 17, 2025

LD 1263: An Act Regarding Penalties For Fentanyl Trafficking When That Trafficking Results In An Overdose Causing Serious Bodily Injury Of A Person

This bill amends Maine law to create a new Class A crime for fentanyl trafficking that directly causes serious bodily injury from an overdose. Specifically, it targets cases where fentanyl trafficked by a defendant contributes to another person's serious injury resulting from an overdose. The law upgrades penalties for fentanyl trafficking causing such injury (currently a Class B crime for other drugs) to a more severe Class A offense. It applies only to fentanyl powder and requires the trafficked drug to be a contributing factor in the injury. This changes the legal classification for these specific cases without altering other trafficking penalties.

Topics ✗ Criminal JusticeOpposes Criminal JusticeBill upgrades fentanyl trafficking causing injury to Class A offense (from Class B), increasing penalties. Aligns with 'increases mandatory sentences' indicator for opposing criminal justice reform.95% confidence

Sub-Topics Drug Policy

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signed · Maine · House Jan 11, 2026

LD 1126: An Act Requiring Serial Numbers On Firearms And Prohibiting Undetectable Firearms

LD 1126 requires firearms dealers in Maine to permanently mark all firearms they sell with unique serial numbers. It also bans the manufacture, sale, possession, or transfer of "undetectable firearms" (defined as weapons undetectable by standard security scanners under federal law). Violations carry criminal penalties, with stricter charges for possessing such weapons near schools, courthouses, polling places, or government buildings. The law applies directly to firearms dealers and anyone handling undetectable firearms.

Topics ✓ Criminal JusticeSupports Criminal JusticeBill requires firearm serialization and bans undetectable weapons, aiding law enforcement in crime prevention and investigations. Supports law enforcement aspect of criminal justice.80% confidence

Sub-Topics Drug Policy Firearms

signed · Maine · House Jun 17, 2025

LD 1366: An Act To Amend Certain Provisions Of The Drug Laws Related To Cocaine Base

LD 1366 amends Maine's drug laws to change penalties for cocaine base possession and importation. It raises the possession threshold for cocaine base from 4 grams to 14 grams for Class B charges (previously a Class B crime for possession over 4 grams), and removes cocaine base from the list of "schedule W drugs" that trigger enhanced penalties for prior drug offenders. The bill also modifies the Class A crime for importation by deleting the specific 32-gram threshold for cocaine base (previously a Class A crime for importing 32g or more of cocaine base). These changes directly affect individuals possessing or importing cocaine base who have prior drug convictions.

Topics ✓ Criminal JusticeSupports Criminal JusticeBill reduces penalties for cocaine base possession (raises threshold from 4g to 14g) and removes enhanced penalties for prior offenses, aligning with criminal justice reform to decrease incarceration for minor drug offenses.95% confidence

Sub-Topics Drug Policy

failed · Maine · Senate Jun 13, 2025

LD 677: An Act To Update The Statutory Definition Of "Machine Gun" And Prohibit Possession Of A Rapid-Fire Device

This bill updates Maine's definition of "machine gun" to include any part or combination of parts designed to convert a standard firearm into a machine gun (such as devices enabling multiple shots per trigger pull or crank/lever systems). It also creates a new Class D crime for knowingly possessing a "rapid-fire device" without authorization. A rapid-fire device is defined as any part or device that increases a semi-automatic firearm's rate of fire beyond normal operation, including recoil-powered triggers or manual crank/lever mechanisms. The law directly affects individuals who own or possess such devices, making their possession illegal without legal authority.

Topics ✗ Criminal JusticeOpposes Criminal JusticeCreates new Class D crime for rapid-fire device possession, expanding criminalization per bill's definition of 'rapid-fire device'.90% confidence

Sub-Topics Drug Policy Firearms

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failed · Maine · Senate May 27, 2025

LD 1204: An Act To Support Direct Access Worker Employment By Removing Certain Employment Disqualifications

LD 1204 removes the disqualification for a conviction of "aggravated cultivating of marijuana" (under Maine law, Title 17-A, section 1105-D) from the list of criminal offenses that bar employment as a direct access worker. Direct access workers provide in-home personal care services, such as assistance with daily living activities, through personal care agencies. This amendment specifically allows individuals with this specific marijuana-related conviction to seek employment in the personal care sector without automatic disqualification.

Topics ✓ Criminal JusticeSupports Criminal JusticeRemoves employment barrier for marijuana conviction, aiding reintegration and reducing recidivism - key criminal justice reform indicator.85% confidence ✓ HealthcareSupports HealthcareRemoves employment barrier for healthcare personnel (direct access workers), expanding workforce access to in-home care services.90% confidence ✓ Labor & EmploymentSupports Labor & EmploymentRemoves employment disqualification for specific marijuana conviction, enabling direct care workers to access jobs in personal care sector, expanding workforce opportunities.95% confidence

Sub-Topics Drug Policy

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signed · Maine · House Jun 27, 2025

LD 1849: An Act To Establish A Minimum Age At Which A Juvenile May Be Adjudicated

This bill establishes 11 as the minimum age for Maine juvenile court jurisdiction for most offenses. It defines "juvenile" as a person aged 11-18 for crimes like drug possession, underage drinking, or traffic violations involving intoxicants (as specified in sections 3103 and 3303), but excludes serious crimes like murder, felony murder, or manslaughter (which remain subject to adult prosecution regardless of age). The bill also modifies time limits for prosecuting certain juvenile offenses and clarifies that some crimes (e.g., driving under the influence) may be handled as juvenile cases only if specific conditions are met. It directly affects minors aged 11-17 who commit non-violent offenses under Maine law.

Topics ✓ Criminal JusticeSupports Criminal JusticeEstablishes 11 as minimum age for juvenile court, excluding minor offenses from adult prosecution, aligning with reform to reduce youth incarceration and prioritize rehabilitation over criminalization.85% confidence

Sub-Topics Drug Policy Juvenile Justice

failed · Maine · Senate May 29, 2025

LD 771: An Act To Include Possession Of Compounds, Mixtures Or Substances Containing A Detectable Amount Of Certain Scheduled Drugs To Prove The Offense Of Unlawful Trafficking Of Scheduled Drugs

LD 771 amends Maine's criminal code to redefine "amphetamine" and "methamphetamine" as any compound, mixture, or preparation containing these drugs in *any quantity*, including detectable traces. This change allows prosecutors to use even minimal amounts of these substances to prove unlawful trafficking charges, rather than requiring measurable quantities. The bill directly affects drug trafficking prosecutions by lowering the evidentiary threshold for proving the offense under Maine law. It amends specific sections of the Maine Revised Statutes (17-A MRSA §1101, sub-§27 and §28) to implement this definition.

Topics ✗ Criminal JusticeOpposes Criminal JusticeBill lowers evidentiary threshold for drug trafficking by prosecuting detectable traces, expanding criminalization and opposing reform efforts to reduce over-criminalization.92% confidence

Sub-Topics Drug Policy

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failed · Maine · House May 13, 2025

LD 1779: An Act To Make The Possession Of Under 2 Grams Of Certain Schedule W Drugs A Class D Crime

LD 1779 reclassifies the possession of under 2 grams of specific drugs - including heroin, cocaine, oxycodone, and fentanyl - from a Class C crime to a Class D crime. It directly affects individuals caught with these drugs in the specified small quantities (above 200 milligrams for some drugs). The key provision adjusts the quantity threshold in Maine's criminal code, lowering penalties for small-scale possession. This amendment updates the legal classification without changing the underlying prohibition.

Topics ✓ Criminal JusticeSupports Criminal JusticeReclassifies small drug possession from Class C to D, reducing penalties and aligning with criminal justice reform to lower incarceration for minor offenses.95% confidence

Sub-Topics Drug Policy

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failed · Maine · Senate May 14, 2025

LD 1320: An Act To Prevent Illicit Cultivation And Trafficking Within Maine'S Regulated Cannabis Industry

This bill updates Maine's cannabis laws to strengthen oversight of the regulated industry by expanding the definition of "disqualifying drug offense." It adds that a conviction within the past three years for unauthorized cannabis cultivation or distribution - outside Maine's legal medical or recreational frameworks - will disqualify applicants for business licenses or medical cannabis registry cards. This directly affects individuals seeking to operate in Maine's legal cannabis market who have recent illicit activity related to cannabis. The change aims to prevent illicit cultivation and trafficking by ensuring only those without recent unauthorized cannabis involvement can access regulated industry licenses.

Topics ✗ Criminal JusticeOpposes Criminal JusticeExpands disqualification for recent cannabis offenses, restricting industry access for those with prior convictions, increasing criminalization of cannabis-related activities.85% confidence

Sub-Topics Drug Policy

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