Maine marijuana referendum getting court-ordered second look

PORTLAND, Maine — A top election official says he’s moving forward with another review of signatures submitted in support of a Maine marijuana referendum.

Secretary of State Matthew Dunlap announced Wednesday he won’t appeal a judge’s decision that revived the referendum proposal.

The Campaign to Regulate Marijuana Like Alcohol had disputed Dunlap’s rejection of 26,779 signatures because the signature of the notary didn’t match the signature on file in Augusta. A judge reversed his decision, saying the requirement of identical signatures was unreasonable.

Dunlap said the new review will be conducted “as expeditiously as possible.” He said a new determination will be made “pursuant to the court order.”