Maine

Maine Supreme Court Revives Cannabis Store’s Challenge Over Kittery’s Licensing Lottery

by

Kittery, Maine — A recent decision by Maine’s highest court has revived a legal battle over the licensing procedure for recreational cannabis stores in Kittery, setting the stage for further scrutiny of local governmental policies affecting the burgeoning industry. The state’s Supreme Judicial Court overruled a lower court’s decision this Thursday, allowing a lawsuit filed by High Maine LLC to challenge the town’s licensing process. In October 2023, High Maine LLC initiated a lawsuit against the town of Kittery, arguing that the town’s lottery system used to allocate licenses for cannabis stores is defective. The … Read more

Penobscot Nation and Environmental Group Challenge Maine Landfill Expansion Citing Health and Cultural Threats

by

OLD TOWN, Maine — A legal challenge has been mounted against the expansion of a landfill in Old Town, Maine, with claims that the state agency overlooked critical environmental justice considerations in its approval process. The lawsuit, initiated by the Penobscot Nation and the Conservation Law Foundation, underscores the rising tensions between environmental protection efforts and indigenous rights. Filed in the Penobscot County Superior Court on Tuesday, the lawsuit argues that the planned growth of the local landfill risks the health of nearby communities and threatens the Penobscot Nation’s cultural traditions. The contentious issue centers … Read more

Maine Mother Battles for Legal Reform After Court Allows Convicted Abuser Parental Rights

by

AUGUSTA, Maine — Bonnie Dennison has been grappling with a judicial decision that, more than a decade after her son was nearly killed by his father, allows the man supervised visits and written correspondence with the child. This ruling has reignited concerns about Maine’s child protection laws, particularly those related to the rights of parents convicted of abuse. The ruling from the Maine Supreme Judicial Court came after Allen-Michael St. Claire, the father, was allowed to start reconnecting with his son, despite his prior conviction for assaulting the boy when he was just an infant. … Read more

Maine Surfriders Rally for Reform: A Crusade to Simplify Age-Old Coastal Access Rules

by

PORTLAND, Maine — In Maine, the fight for public coastal access has intensified, with the Maine chapter of the Surfrider Foundation leading a spirited campaign to challenge and ultimately reform longstanding and restrictive shoreline access laws. This push aims to balance property rights with public freedom to enjoy the state’s picturesque beaches. For decades, Maine’s coastal access laws have been a complex web of regulations. Unlike in many other states where the public can freely roam beaches up to the high tide line, in Maine, the law restricts access above the low tide line, essentially … Read more