“LD2204 is unwise and unconstitutional. It’s unnecessary to enforce the existing laws.”
By AnnMarie Hilton, Maine Morning Star
The Criminal Justice and Public Safety Committee heard a bill on Wednesday that aims to tackle large-scale illegal cannabis operations found in homes throughout Maine. Legal experts, however, say that there are already laws for this and critics view the bill as an issue of rights violation.
LD2204 is sponsored by Rep. John Andrews, R-Paris. It aims to expand asset seizures to pay for the costs of restoring houses where such operations are conducted. The bill prohibits citizens of China or Cuba from buying property in Maine. It also bans those who are permanent residents, and those who are North Korean, Iran, North Korea, or Russian.
Andrews stated that the laws governing criminal organizations influenced by racketeering are in place to investigate and prosecute conspiracies to clean up this mess.
Nine Republicans are co-sponsors of the bill.
The Office of the Attorney General collaborates with law enforcement agencies in Maine to investigate large-scale cannabis operations, which are often found on rural properties.
John Risler said, “We hope to curb this illegal activity,” in his testimony against Bill.
He said that existing laws can help achieve this, but they must be enforced properly. Risler noted that multiple search warrants can be issued in a week. This is especially true now that the issue has gained more attention.
Andrews explained that the bill was designed to give law enforcers a way to stop multiple operations which may be conspiring. Risler, however, said that the provisions in LD2204 are “confusing and inconsistent with existing Maine state law.”
The ACLU of Maine also tested against this bill, calling it a “blatantly racism” and adding in a press release that discrimination based on race, nationality, or ethnicity is deemed to be infringement of the Equal Protection Clause of Amendment 14.
Michael Kebede is the policy adviser for the group. He said that LD 2204 was unwise, unconstitutional and unnecessary. Existing laws can be enforced without it. It also unfairly targets immigrant and punishes them because of their birthplace, not for what they’ve done.
Alicia Collins, a Sidney selectman who spoke out in support of the bill, stated that the town had already placed a lien against a property which was running one of these businesses. Residents are asking Collins why nothing is being done. She can only tell them that a warrant will be issued. She said Andrews’ bill will allow for more action.
The original publication of this story was by Maine Morning Star.
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The article Maine Bill to Address Illicit Marijuana Operation Is Racist and ‘Unconstitutional’, Advocates Say first appeared on Marijuana Moment.
