On November 5, the residents of Portland, Maine will put to a vote whether or not to make recreational marijuana legal within the city limits. According to NECN, The Portland City Council voted Monday to have residents weigh in on Nov. 5 regarding a referendum seeking to make it legal for adults 21 years and older to possess up to 2.5 ounces of weed, though it’s important to note the law would prohibit using bud in public.

If the law were to pass, it would leapfrog both federal and state laws concerning the use of the drug. Currently the possession, distribution, and use of pot is illegal on the federal level while the great state of Maine allows for the smoking of medical marijuana pot if prescribed by a doctor. Possession of less than 2.5 oz (71 g) of ganja is a civil violation, punishable by a fine of $200 – $400 and therefore not technically illegal by state law standards.

Currently only the states of Washington and Colorado allow for recreational chronic use though the rules and regulations are still somewhat up in the air. Back in May, Colorado Governor John Hickenlooper signed the first pieces of legislation that would allow the legalization process to take place. The first brick-and-mortar grass retailers aren’t expected until 2014 and for the first 9 months only existing medical wacky tobaccky dispensaries will be able apply for the recreational sales license. Investing in and/or owning an herb business will be strictly for established Colorado residents only.

Should the vote in Portland pass, the largest city in Maine would be the only one to legalize Mary Jane or even take steps into doing so, completely bypassing the state and federal government.

Currently in Massachusetts, possession of cheeba is decriminalized up to an ounce punishable by a penalty of $ 100 and forfeiting the reefer. In 2012 Massachusetts became the 18th state and Washington D.C. to legalize the medical use of dope.