AUGUSTA - The Referendum Question 1 recount has concluded, announced Secretary of State Matthew Dunlap, affirming the Election Night passage of the question by Maine voters.

Question 1 will allow the possession and use of marijuana under state law by persons who are at least 21 years of age, and allow the cultivation, manufacture, distribution, testing, and sale of marijuana and marijuana products subject to state regulation, taxation and local ordinance.

Voters passed the question on Election Night, Nov. 8, with a margin of 4,073 votes in favor. Elections Division staff and volunteers recounted ballots from 42 Maine municipalities, representing about 30 percent of the total votes. The recount took place Dec. 5-16 in Augusta.

Recount results showed no change in the outcome, with the "Yes" votes retaining a winning margin of 3,995 votes. The "No on One" campaign, which had requested the recount, conceded on Saturday, Dec. 17, and both campaigns signed off on the final tally on Tuesday, Dec. 20.

The Department of the Secretary of State sends the certified results of the recount to the Office of the Governor, which must issue a proclamation of the vote within 10 days of receipt. The legislation goes into law 30 days from the date of the signed proclamation.

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