AUGUSTA — A bill that would let prosecutors seek felony charges in possession cases involving heroin, methamphetamine, fentanyl and more than 14 grams of cocaine is gaining support. The Portland Press Herald reports that members of the Maine Legislature’s Criminal Justice and Public Safety Committee voted 8-4 Monday in Augusta in favor of the bill. […]
drugs
Posted inMaine
Wilton Republican wants to fight drug crisis with Medicaid expansion
The move to expand is backed by the state’s hospitals, as well as advocates for the poor and a large portion of Maine’s law-enforcement community. “Increasing access to MaineCare coverage means increasing access to mental health counseling, drug addiction treatment and counseling and preventive health care, providing measurable cost-savings and beneficial health outcomes across Maine,” Saviello […]
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Posted inMaine, sj-web
Paul LePage: ‘I had to go scream at the top of my lungs about black dealers’
Listen to Gov. Paul LePage on WVOM Your browser does not support the audio element. Gov. Paul LePage took to the radio waves again this morning on WVOM to add to what has become a memorable series of Tuesday morning appearances. This time he brought up his now infamous comments about drug dealers and Maine’s […]
Posted inMaine
Gov. Paul LePage advocates death penalty for drug dealers when users die
LEWISTON — After a meeting with the mayors of Lewiston and Auburn on Wednesday, Republican Gov. Paul LePage told reporters that people carrying concealed firearms could help with the state’s illegal drug crisis. “Everybody in Maine, we have constitutional carry. Load up and get rid of the drug dealers,” LePage said. “Because folks, they are […]
Posted inMaine, sj-web
Paul LePage says ‘bring the guillotine back’ for drug dealers
Gov. Paul LePage’s weekly radio interview on WVOM has become a bombastic, must-listen lately, and Tuesday’s appearance was no different. The Republican governor repeated a version of remarks on drug dealers the Morning Sentinel said he delivered at a recent speech in Waterville, saying legislative proposals to increase sentences for traffickers didn’t go far enough. He said “the death penalty should be appropriate […]
Posted inMaine
Lawmakers eye additional bills to fight drug crisis in Maine
AUGUSTA — A bill meant to toughen sentences for those convicted of trafficking illegal drugs or importing them into Maine was met with mixed reactions from the Legislature’s Criminal Justice and Public Safety Committee on Monday. The bill, LD 1541, offered by Sen. Scott Cyrway, R-Benton, would increase the classifications of trafficking crimes as well […]
Posted inFranklin, Lewiston-Auburn
Franklin County grand jury indicts 2 Jay men on pot charges
FARMINGTON – Two Jay men accused of having nearly 100 pounds of marijuana between them last year were indicted Thursday on drug charges in separate cases. John H. Sullivan, 34, of 986 Main St., was indicted on two felony counts of aggravated trafficking in marijuana and butane hash oil, and a felony charge of violation […]
Posted inMaine, sj-web
Gov. Paul LePage says new anti-drug law is ‘just the first step’
AUGUSTA — The Legislature on Tuesday attached an amendment to leadership’s heavily debated anti-drug bill before unanimously enacting the bill and pushing it to Republican Gov. Paul LePage’s desk. Rep. Jeff Timberlake, R-Turner, said LePage signed the bill into law at about 2 p.m. Tuesday. “I’m pleased the House and Senate incorporated the common-sense recommendations […]
Posted inMaine, sj-web
Maine anti-drug bill advances, but funding questions loom
AUGUSTA — A $3.7 million bill aimed at Maine’s drug crisis was advanced by the Legislature’s budget-writing committee on Tuesday, but top House Republicans are opposed to one of its funding sources. The proposal, which would fund 10 new drug agents and expand treatment, education and recovery options, was rolled out by legislative leaders in […]
Posted inMaine, sj-web
Paul LePage promises to veto anti-drug bill, calls it corruption
Gov. Paul LePage said in a Tuesday radio appearance that he’ll veto legislative leaders’ $4.8 million proposal aimed at fighting Maine’s drug crisis. The Republican governor railed against the proposal in perhaps his strongest terms on WVOM, making the dubious claim that the sponsors “put the names of the companies that will get the money” […]