AUGUSTA — The group with national clout in Maine’s marijuana legalization battle has an early money lead over advocates for a rival proposal, but almost all of that money came from one backer.

The Committee to Regulate Marijuana like Alcohol in Maine says it has raised more than $50,000 between January and the end of March, said David Boyer, who is leading that group as Maine political director for the Marijuana Policy Project. That’s well ahead of the $30,000 raised by Legalize Maine.

A former police officer turned lawmaker is launching the fourth effort this year to legalize recreational marijuana for Maine adults.

Rep. Mark Dion, D-Portland, has submitted a bill that would regulate recreational marijuana sales, tax them at 15 percent and allow use by adults 21 and older. The language of the legislation is being developed and details won’t be available until the process is completed.

Dion’s bill joins three other proposals – one from a fellow lawmaker and two from political action committees formed to advocate for legalization – that would legalize pot use by adults, create a regulatory structure for retail stores and cultivators, and tax sales.

South Portland's police chief is calling for more oversight of the medical marijuana industry in Maine.(Photo: NEWS CENTER)

PORTLAND, Maine (AP) -- A third effort is afoot to get marijuana legalization on Maine's ballot.

Democratic state Rep. Mark Dion of Portland says he is talking to other legislators about co-sponsoring his bill. The bill proposes to ask residents about creation, regulation and taxation of a structure for recreational use of marijuana. It includes a proposed 10 percent tax rate for recreational marijuana.

AUGUSTA, Maine - The group that launched successful efforts to legalize recreational marijuana in Colorado and Alaska is officially taking steps to do the same in Maine.

Today supporters of the Marijuana Policy Project submitted a draft initiative that they hope to qualify for the 2016 statewide ballot.

This is the second citizens' initiative to propose legalizing pot next year. Both measures have some similarities and some big differences. Both plans would legalize recreational marijuana for adults 21 and over and also allow adults to grow small amounts for personal use. Both also call for a tax.

Mainers 21 and older would be allowed to possess up to an ounce of marijuana and grow their own plants, and pot sales would be subject to a 10 percent tax under a proposal by a national group advocating for legalized recreational use in the state.

The Marijuana Policy Project, which led the successful drive to legalize recreational marijuana use in Colorado, will unveil its plan Tuesday. It is the second one to be released in the state this year and sets the stage for dueling campaigns pushing for legalization referendums in 2016.

Marijuana policy project plan

The marijuana legalization plan presented by the Marijuana Policy Project would:

• Allow adults 21 and older to possess up to 1 ounce of marijuana and grow six plants.

Maine is moving forward with marijuana legalization as two pro-pot groups launch spring petition drives to ask residents to legalize recreational consumption in 2016. While their goals are the same, the organizations remain divided on who exactly should lead the charge. The Washington, D.C.-based Marijuana Policy Project, which played a key role in Colorado’s legalization effort, wants its proposal to go before voters next year. Legalize Maine, however, wants marijuana legalization in the state to be a domestic effort, according to the Associated Press.

The legislative season is in full swing across the country, and pot is hot -- especially in New England

And we’re not even talking about medical marijuana or decriminalization bills, we’re talking about outright legalization bills.

Nevada's vote is set and advocates believe they can get similar measures on the ballot in four other states

On Friday, Nevada lawmakers adjourned without voting on a petition submitted by residents to legalize marijuana and regulate it like alcohol. That means the initiative is going on the ballot in 2016, making Nevada the first state to officially be voting on pot legalization in the next election.

Former U.S. Marine Ryan Begin rolls a medical marijuana joint at his home in Belfast, Maine, in late November. (Robert F. Bukaty/Associated Press)

Three of Maine’s four federally recognized Indian tribes are discussing legalizing marijuana on their lands, including at least one tribe that is considering commercial-scale production of marijuana as a way to provide jobs and income for its members, reports the Portland Press-Herald.

Maine’s medical marijuana industry climbed to new heights in 2014, accounting for an estimated $60 million to $75 million in sales and generating as much as $4 million to $5 million in tax revenue for the state.

The legal marijuana industry still represents a small piece of the state’s overall revenue, but state tax collection numbers show a rapid growth in sales as more patients turned to dispensaries or caregivers to buy their medicine during the past four years.

The numbers also highlight the success of a trade that once was limited to an untaxed and unregulated black market.