Maine
Proposed changes to Maine cannabis laws won’t appear on November ballot
Mainers will not weigh in on whether to cease recreational cannabis sales in Maine — at least not this November.
Organizers of the petition drive, which seeks to close the recreational cannabis market in Maine and strengthen state oversight of the medical marijuana market, did not submit their petition signatures by Monday’s deadline, the secretary of state’s office confirmed Wednesday.
At least 67,682 signatures, or 10% of the votes cast for governor in 2022, would have had to be submitted by Feb. 2 to put the cannabis question on the November ballot.
That does not necessarily mean the effort is dead, but it does mean it will not go to voters this year. Madison Carey, one of the organizers of the petition drive, did not answer a phone call Wednesday evening and their voicemail inbox was full.
Organizers were seeking to repeal parts of the Maine Cannabis Legalization Act that allows for commercial cultivation, sale, purchase and manufacturing of recreational cannabis and cannabis products. The 15-page proposal, pushed by the political committee Mainers for a Safe and Healthy Future, would end all recreational sales and home-growing operations beginning Jan. 1, 2028. It would also add tracking and testing standards for medicinal cannabis previously opposed by caregivers.
Legalized by voters in 2016, Maine’s recreational marijuana market has grown from $82 million in 2021, the first full year of sales, to $244 million in 2024, the most profitable year yet. Preliminary sales figures put 2025 on pace to reach about $248 million, but final figures have not yet been released, according to data from the state Office of Cannabis Policy.
The petition effort was subject to criticism after some people accused signature collectors of misrepresenting the initiative. One person who spoke with the Press Herald last month said the petition was represented to them as an effort to ensure cannabis was free of toxic chemicals. They only learned it was to end recreational cannabis sales in Maine after they had signed.
At the time, Secretary of State Shenna Bellows said there was nothing her office could do if signature gatherers misrepresented a ballot initiative.
“You have a right to lie under the First Amendment,” she said. “I do not have authority to take any enforcement action over the truth of what is being said.”
Funding for the effort came from an out-of-state source. Smart Approach to Marijuana Action Inc., a dark money group from Virginia, was the only donor listed on organizers’ campaign finance reports last month, contributing $2 million.
Maine
Former candidate for Maine governor Eliot Cutler accused of violating probation for third time in 5 months
SOUTH PORTLAND, Maine – Former two-time Maine gubernatorial candidate and disbarred attorney Eliot Cutler was taken into custody Monday after he was accused of violating his probation for a third time in the past five months.
Maine State Police officials said detectives were conducting a separate, unrelated investigation in Cumberland County when they encountered Cutler at a South Portland hotel Monday afternoon.
State police said during the interaction, detectives determined Cutler was in violation of the conditions of his probation.
Cutler, 79, of Brooklin, was arrested by the Maine State Police Special Victims Unit after Cutler’s probation officer was consulted.
Police said Cutler was transported to the Cumberland County Jail, where he is being held on a probation hold.
In May 2023, Cutler pleaded guilty to four counts of possession of sexually explicit materials of children as part of a plea deal. Prosecutors said investigators had found tens of thousands of images and videos of child sexual abuse material on Cutler’s electronic devices.
As part of his plea deal, Cutler was sentenced to four years in prison with all but nine months suspended and received six years of probation. He reported to the Hancock County Jail in June 2023. In January 2024, Cutler was released from jail about six weeks early for good behavior.
The first probation violation case surfaced in November 2025. Cutler was accused of using an external USB drive on Sept. 8, 2025, to access content related to massage parlors in the San Francisco area. An affidavit also indicates Cutler is accused of answering questions about his desired preferences in an escort through a menu on the website. The alleged activity coincided with a request Cutler made for a travel permit to go to California to see friends, the affidavit states. Cutler appeared in court on Dec. 16, 2025, and denied claims that he accessed prohibited websites, used unmonitored electronic devices and failed to report that activity to his probation officer.
On Jan. 13, Cutler turned himself in to authorities after prosecutors alleged he violated the terms of his release on Dec. 28, 2025, and again on Jan. 2, 2026.
As part of the case, prosecutors asked a judge to seal materials, including screenshot images of video material, submitted with an arrest warrant affidavit. Prosecutors said the attachments include sexually explicit images and raised concerns about privacy and the possible involvement of a minor.
“At least one of the images depicts a relatively young female with reference to the word ‘girl,’” according to court documents.
A judge granted the request, ordering the materials sealed from public view.
Cutler ran twice for governor of Maine as an independent candidate. In 2010, Cutler lost to Republican candidate Paul LePage by fewer than 10,000 votes and finished nearly 99,000 votes ahead of Democratic candidate Libby Mitchell. But in 2014, Cutler finished well behind the incumbent LePage and Democratic nominee Mike Michaud.
In July 2024, the Maine Supreme Judicial Court officially ordered that Cutler be disbarred after he agreed to stop practicing law in the state in February. Cutler was also disbarred in the state of New York.
Copyright 2026 WABI. All rights reserved.
The Winter Olympics continue in Milan Cortina, Italy, with snowboarding events taking center stage.
Snowboarding, which debuted at the Olympics in Japan in 1998, has been a stronghold for the United States.
The U.S. leads the medal count in the sport, boasting 35 medals, including 17 gold.
Among the American champions is Seth Wescott, a Mainer who claimed gold in 2006 and 2010.
In this segment, Wescott discusses the 2026 Games and reflects on his past Olympic experiences.
The Maine Principals Association (MPA) high school basketball tournament begins in the coming days, so here’s the entire girls statewide schedule.
PRELIMINARY ROUND
Tuesday, Feb. 10
P2: #10-Kennebunk (7-11) at #7-Thornton Academy (10-8), 6 p.m.
Wednesday, Feb. 11
P3: #11-Massabesic (5-13) at #6-Westbrook (11-7)
Thursday, Feb. 12
P1: #9-Scarborough (7-11) at #8-Gorham (10-8), 6 p.m.
QUARTERFINALS
at Portland Expo
Tuesday, Feb. 17
G1: #5-Windham (12-6) vs. #4-Biddeford (15-3), 5 p.m.
G2: P3 winner vs. #3-South Portland (16-2), 1 p.m.
G3: P2 winner vs. #2-Sanford (16-2), 2:45 p.m.
G4: P1 winner vs. #1-Cheverus (17-1), 6:45 p.m.
SEMIFINALS
at Portland Expo
Thursday, Feb. 19
G5: G2 winner vs. G3 winner, 1 p.m.
G6: G4 winner vs. G1 winner, 2:45 p.m.
FINAL
at Cross Insurance Arena, Portland
Saturday, Feb. 2, 6 p.m.
QUARTERFINALS
at Augusta Civic Center
Friday, Feb. 13
G1: #5-Bangor (13-5) vs. #4-Edward Little (14-4), 7 p.m.
G2: #6-Brunswick (7-11) vs. #3-Camden Hills (15-3), 4 p.m.
G3: #7-Lewiston (9-9) vs. #2-Hampden Academy (14-4), 5:30 p.m.
G4: #8-Skowhegan (8-10) vs. #1-Mt. Ararat (17-1), 8:30 p.m.
SEMIFINALS
at Augusta Civic Center
Wednesday, Feb. 18
G5: G2 winner vs. G3 winner, 2 p.m.
G6: G4 winner vs. G1 winner, 3:30 p.m.
FINAL
at Augusta Civic Center
Friday, Feb. 20, 7 p.m.
PRELIMINARY ROUND
Tuesday, Feb. 10
P1: #9-Yarmouth (9-9) at #8-Freeport (8-10), 6 p.m.
Wednesday, Feb. 11
P2: #10-Lake Region (7-11) at #7-Leavitt (8-10)
QUARTERFINALS
at Portland Expo
Friday, Feb. 13
G1: #5-Marshwood (13-5) vs. #4-Greely (13-5), 5 p.m.
G2: #6-Poland (12-6) vs. #3-York (12-6), 1 p.m.
G3: P2 winner vs. #2-Oceanside (17-1), 2:45 p.m.
G4: P1 winner vs. #1-Gray-New Gloucester (17-1), 6:45 p.m.
SEMIFINALS
at Portland Expo
Wednesday, Feb. 18
G5: G2 winner vs. G3 winner, 5 p.m.
G6: G1 winner vs. G4 winner, 6:45 p.m.
FINAL
at Portland Expo
Friday, Feb. 20, 6 p.m.
PRELIMINARY ROUND
Tuesday, Feb. 10
P1: #9-Cony (10-8) at #8-Erskine Academy (14-4), 6 p.m.
QUARTERFINALS
at Cross Insurance Center, Bangor
Friday, Feb. 13
G2: #6-Mt. Desert Island (12-6) vs. #3-Lawrence (13-5), 7 p.m.
G3: #7-Ellsworth (11-7) vs. #2-Old Town (14-4), 8:30 p.m.
Saturday, Feb. 14
G1: #5-Hermon (10-8) vs. #4-Presque Isle (13-5), 7 p.m.
G4: P1 winner vs. #1-Gardiner (17-1), 8:30 p.m.
SEMIFINALS
at Cross Insurance Center, Bangor
Wednesday, Feb. 18
G5: G2 winner vs. G3 winner, 7 p.m.
G6: G1 winner vs. G4 winner, 8:30 p.m.
FINAL
at Cross Insurance Center, Bangor
Friday, Feb. 20, 8:30 p.m.
PRELIMINARY ROUND
Tuesday, Feb. 10
P2: #10-Traip Academy (6-12) at #7-Dirigo (9-9), 6 p.m.
Wednesday, Feb. 11
P1: #9-Hall-Dale (5-13) at #8-Mt. View (9-9)
QUARTERFINALS
at Augusta Civic Center
Tuesday, Feb. 17
G1: #5-Winthrop (9-9) vs. #4-Oak Hill (12-6), 7 p.m.
G2: #6-Winslow (10-8) vs. #3-Wells (16-2), 4 p.m.
G3: P2 winner vs. #2-Maranacook (15-3), 5:30 p.m.
G4: P1 winner vs. #1-Spruce Mountain (17-1), 8:30 p.m.
SEMIFINALS
at Augusta Civic Center
Thursday, Feb. 19
G5: G2 winner vs. G3 winner, 2 p.m.
G6: G1 winner vs. G4 winner, 3:30 p.m.
FINAL
at Augusta Civic Center
Saturday, Feb. 21, 7 p.m.
PRELIMINARY ROUND
Tuesday, Feb. 10
P1: #9-Washington Academy (5-13) at #8-Orono (7-11), 6 p.m.
P2: #10-Central (6-12) at #7-Sumner (8-10), 6 p.m.
QUARTERFINALS
at Cross Insurance Center, Bangor
Monday, Feb. 16
G2: #6-Calais (8-10) vs. #3-Foxcroft Academy (15-3), 7 p.m.
G3: P2 winner vs. #2-George Stevens (16-2), 8:30 p.m.
Tuesday, Feb. 17
G1: #5-Caribou (9-9) vs. #4-Dexter/Piscataquis (10-8), 7 p.m.
G4: P1 winner vs. #1-Mattanawcook Academy (18-0), 8:30 p.m.
SEMIFINALS
at Cross Insurance Center, Bangor
Thursday, Feb. 19
G5: G2 winner vs. G3 winner, 7 p.m.
G6: G1 winner vs. G4 winner, 8:30 p.m.
FINAL
at Cross Insurance Center, Bangor
Saturday, Feb. 21, 8:30 p.m.
Class D South
QUARTERFINALS
at Augusta Civic Center
Monday, Feb. 16
G1: #5-Old Orchard Beach (12-6) vs. #4-Monmouth Academy (10-8), noon
G2: #6-Madison (9-9) vs. #3-Carrabec (15-3), 9 a.m.
G3: #7-Boothbay (5-13) vs. #2-Buckfield (15-3), 10:30 a.m.
G4: #8-North Yarmouth Academy (5-13) vs. #1-Mt. Abram (15-3), 1:30 p.m.
SEMIFINALS
at Augusta Civic Center
Thursday, Feb. 19
G5: G2 winner vs. G3 winner, 10 a.m.
G6: G4 winner vs. G1 winner, 11:30 a.m.
FINAL
at Augusta Civic Center
Saturday, Feb. 21, 2 p.m.
PRELIMINARY ROUND
Tuesday, Feb. 10
P1: #9-Stearns (7-11) at #8-Schenck (7-11), 6 p.m.
P2: #10-Fort Fairfield (7-11) at #7-Narraguagus (9-9), 5 p.m.
QUARTERFINALS
at Cross Insurance Center, Bangor
Saturday, Feb. 14
G2: #6-Woodland (9-9) vs. #3-Central Aroostook (17-1), noon
G3: P2 winner vs. #2-Machias (16-2), 1:30 p.m.
Monday, Feb. 16
G1: #5-Southern Aroostook (14-4) vs. #4-Penobscot Valley (13-5), noon
G4: P1 winner vs. #1-Bangor Christian (18-0), 1:30 p.m.
SEMIFINALS
at Cross Insurance Center, Bangor
Wednesday, Feb. 18
G5: G2 winner vs. G3 winner, 10 a.m.
G6: G1 winner vs. G4 winner, 11:30 a.m.
FINAL
at Cross Insurance Center, Bangor
Saturday, Feb. 21, 3:30 p.m.
QUARTERFINALS
at Cross Insurance Center, Bangor
Tuesday, Feb. 10
G1: #5-Ashland (10-8) vs. #4-Deer Isle-Stonington (10-8), 7:30 p.m.
G2: #6-Shead (7-11) vs. #3-Jonesport-Beals (9-8), 4:30 p.m.
Thursday, Feb. 12
G3: #7-Van Buren (7-11) vs. #2-Katahdin (15-2), 6 p.m.
G4: #8-Easton (6-12) vs. #1-Wisdom (16-1), 3 p.m.
SEMIFINALS
at Cross Insurance Center, Bangor
Tuesday, Feb. 17
G5: G2 winner vs. G3 winner, noon
G6: G1 winner vs. G4 winner, 1:30 p.m.
FINAL
at Cross Insurance Center, Bangor
Saturday, Feb. 21, 10 a.m.
QUARTERFINALS
at Augusta Civic Center
Wednesday, Feb. 11
G3: #7-Greenville (4-14) vs. #2-Forest Hills (14-4), 3:30 p.m.
G4: #8-Rangeley (2-15) vs. #1-Valley (16-1), 6:30 p.m.
Thursday, Feb. 12
G1: #5-North Haven (8-8) vs. #4-Temple Academy (11-7), 2 p.m.
G2: #6-Pine Tree Academy (8-9) vs. #3-Vinalhaven (15-3), 5 p.m.
SEMIFINALS
at Augusta Civic Center
Tuesday, Feb. 17
G5: G2 winner vs. G3 winner, 9 a.m.
G6: G4 winner vs. G1 winner, 10:30 a.m.
FINAL
at Augusta Civic Center
Saturday, Feb. 21, 10 a.m.
Friday, Feb. 27
CLASS B
at Cross Insurance Center, Bangor
North winner vs. South winner, 7:05 p.m.
Saturday, Feb. 28
CLASS A
at Cross Insurance Arena, Portland
North winner vs. South winner, 6:05 p.m.
CLASS C
at Augusta Civic Center
North winner vs. South winner, 7:05 p.m.
CLASS D
at Augusta Civic Center
North winner vs. South winner, 2:35 p.m.
CLASS S
at Augusta Civic Center
North winner vs. South winner, 11:05 a.m.
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