Recreational pot among questions likely to pass in Maine

Marijuana shops and bars could soon change the Maine landscape, both physically and culturally. (Courtesy photo)

It appears legalized recreational marijuana usage, ranked choice voting, transportation bonds and an increase in Maine's minimum wage have passed, while a bill expanding gun background checks has been defeated and the tax surcharge to fund more education programs on high-income Mainers is still too close to call.
The Bangor Daily News as of 9:37 is projecting that legalized recreational marijuana usage has passed, seen as a blow to the medical cannabis community by many caregivers throughout the state. The BDN has the legalize recreation marijunana vote winning at 50.9 percent to 49.1 percent with almost 80 percent of the vote in.
In Lebanon, votes to legalize cannabis were overwhelmingly for it, 1,772 to 1,390.
Question 2, which would hike education funding on the backs of Mainers making over $200,000 looks headed for victory, with 50.8 percent favoring the move to 49.2 percent opposed, also with about 80 percent case. Neither the BDN or the PPH have projected winners on Question 2, which was tight in Lebanon as well, 1,644 in favor to 1,520 opposed.
Question 3 appeared headed for rejection with 51.2 percent opposed to expanded background checks to 48.8 percent in favor. In Lebanon those opposed almost doubled those in favor, 2,003-1,185.
Question 4 raising the minimum wage will easily pass, right now with a 55-45 percent lead. In Lebanon, 1,778 voted to hike the mum wage, while 1,387 were opposed.
Question 5 which favors ranked-choice voting is projected to pass by the PPH, with 52 percent voting in favor with 48 percent opposed. In Lebanon, residents narrowly voted against it, 1,589-1,524.
And Question 6 easily passed, 61 percent-39 percent. In Lebanon, 1,747 were in favor, 1,351 opposed.
State totals could change as there are still about 20 percent of the ballots that need to be tallied.