maine state official wednesday validate petition pro-marijuana activists would allow state voters determine whether make recreational use drug legal northeasternmost u.s. state maine secretary state matthew dunlap find activists collect enough verify signatures present state lawmakers consideration office say statement state legislature option approve proposal write place ballot november move follow rule state judge early month overrule initial decision dunlap office almost half signatures gather campaign valid cite concern signatures notaries public various form submit match versions file official state record referendum would allow adults 21 old legally possess marijuana levy 10 percent tax recreational sales marijuana use public would remain illegal maine governor paul lepage publicly oppose measure say believe marijuana gateway drug lead sort narcotics abuse voters four u.s. state plus district columbia legalize recreational use drug similar ballot initiatives advocate push similar referendums year half-dozen state include massachusetts california maine official approve ballot initiative marijuana legalization