An effort to legalize recreational marijuana use in Maine took a step forward on Monday when activists said they had gathered sufficient signatures to earn their proposal a spot on the state’s ballot this November.

David Boyer, of the Campaign to Regulate Marijuana Like Alcohol, said the group’s proposal to allow adults 21 and older to legally possess marijuana had garnered the support of 103,115 Maine voters, more than 10 percent of the total and well over the 61,123 valid signatures needed to qualify.

“It makes a really strong statement,” Boyer said following a press conference in an affluent suburb outside Portland, Maine’s largest city. “Maine people are excited to have a chance to vote on this.”

When it comes to legalizing marijuana, Canada isn’t sailing entirely into the unknown. A number of countries and U.S. states have experimented with loose pot policies (if not outright decriminalization), and these places offer potential models and lessons for Canada.

Toronto-based law firm O’Neill Moon Quedado LLP has put together an infographic comparing three countries known for their experimentation with drug decriminalization: The Netherlands, Portugal, and, most recently, the U.S.

Warm up with friends during the dark days of winter at 420 events and parties.

On Feb. 6, celebrate Bob Marley’s birthday at Cervantes. Valentine-themed cannabis events heat up Denver for singles and couples. Singles can jump on the Reels on Wheels bus with comedians lampooning a cult classic movie. Couples can speed through one of three sushi-and-joint-rolling dinners on Valentine’s Day at Green Labs. Lots of comedy shows and art classes throughout the month too.

Plenty of fun to keep you in good spirits during the cold month of February! Find those 420-friendly events — and more than 50 others — in the listings below.

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Physicians Yield In Depth Look at Medical Marijuana in Clinical Practice

Plainview, New York - Continuing Marijuana Education (CMEd), a division of New Century Health Alliance, LLC., receives approval from the Academy of Medicine of Queens County to offer 6.25 AMA PRA Category 1 credits™ for its in depth program, Medical Marijuana in Clinical Practice. The first ever live, nationally certified, comprehensive program in New York State will be featured on February 27th, 2016 at the Hilton New York JFK Airport. Attendees who participate in this CMEd activity will leave with the broad understanding of the benefits of medical marijuana, its appropriate application to multiple disease states, and the risks associated.

At the same time, opponents of legalization are talking with voters and lawmakers about the dangers of marijuana use, the impact on children and public safety. Further, they say legalization would undo decades of substance-abuse education.

Arizonans for Responsible Drug Policy, Maricopa County Attorney Bill Montgomery and others are urging the public to learn about marijuana legalization's impact in Colorado, pointing to increased marijuana use by children, concerns over impaired drivers and drug-related expulsions from schools.

Seth Leibsohn, chair of Arizonans for Responsible Drug Policy, called the billboard a "stunt, hijacking a laudable and charitable sports tournament" to promote substance abuse.

Legal U.S. pot sales soared to $5.4 billion for 2015, up 17.4 percent from $4.6 billion in 2014, according to data released Monday by the ArcView Group, which tracks the cannabis markets.

The figures include medical and adult consumer sales. However, the annual gain was largely fueled by the explosive growth in consumer sales, as some states have approved adult recreational marijuana use. Adult use sales grew to $998 million from $351 million in 2014, according to the research. And voters in more states, including California, are likely to take up the issue in 2016.

I remember when Obama was elected in 2008. From a purely marijuana activist standpoint, I had a lot of hope that he would do big things when it came to marijuana policy in America. I remember thinking that anything was possible while he was in office, including the end to federal marijuana prohibition altogether. One thing that I thought for sure was going to happen while Obama was in office was changing marijuana’s status as a Schedule 1 controlled substance, or at the very least, a very strong push for it by Obama.

The U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs should allow its doctors to discuss and recommend medical marijuana as a treatment option in New York and other states where it has been legalized, Sen. Kirsten Gillibrand (D-N.Y.) said Sunday.

The agency’s prohibition, which is up for renewal Monday should end, she said.

“This VA rule is discriminating against our veterans,” Gillibrand said at a Manhattan news conference with former members of the armed forces, physicians and other advocates.

“Instead of giving our veterans this modern treatment option, we are instead letting antiquated ideology get in the way of scientific progress.”

A little over a year ago, the Department of Justice released the infamous “Wilkinson Memo” containing DOJ policy guidance to U.S. District Attorneys on Marijuana in Indian Country.

Chaos ensued.

Media and industry began shouting “Marijuana is legal in Indian Country!” from the rooftops. Tribal leaders were swarmed by tribal members demanding that marijuana be immediately legalized. State and local jurisdictions were worried about the impact of legalization on their jurisdictions. Some tribes immediately announced their intent to open large marijuana operations; other tribes issued strong statements against legalization, and lawyers all started scratching our heads.