Portland, Maine may become the first city to defy both state and national marijuana laws. Following a vote by City Council on Monday, July 15, voters residing within city limits will have the opportunity to decide whether to remove all penalties for possession of up to 2.5 ounces of marijuana for adults 21 and older. Portland’s City Council voted 5-1 to send the citizen-initiated marijuana legalization ordinance to voters on a November ballot, rather than immediately adopting it. The ordinance received…

[caption id="attachment_6102" align="alignright" width="270"] MPP Maine political director David Boyer[/caption] Marijuana policy reform advocates in Maine held a press conference in Portland City Hall on Thursday morning to announce the start of a citywide signature drive to make possession of 2.5 ounces of marijuana legal for adults within city limits. The Portland Green Party filed the petition earlier this month and is coordinating the signature drive for the initiative. Major speakers at the…