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Portland school board adopts policy to protect transgender students
After an emotional discussion about inclusion and equity for all students, the Portland School Board voted unanimously Tuesday night to adopt a comprehensive new policy that affirms and protects transgender and gender-expansive students in Portland schools. ...
Among other things the policy allows students to use restrooms and changing rooms consistent with their gender identity, allows them to use the pronouns they prefer, calls for gender-neutral student dress codes and requires annual training around gender issues for teachers and staff.
The policy is consistent with Maine law that requires non-discrimination in schools. ...
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Portland school board adopts comprehensive transgender policy
It joins about a half-dozen other Maine school districts that have approved such policies since a landmark state supreme court ruling in 2014.
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http://www.pressherald.com/2017/11/28/portland-school-board-adopts-comprehensive-transgender-policy/
Cheech and Chong help make Maine town councilor’s video of cannabis calming a boy’s seizure go viral
By Seth Koenig, BDN Staff •
The comic duo Cheech and Chong, who rose to fame in the 1970s and 80s with routines centered around smoking marijuana, shared an apparent Facebook post by a Standish town councilor advocating for the medicinal use of the drug.
With the famous comedians’ boost, the video post, which seems to show cannabis oil calming a boy’s seizure, has been viewed nearly 13 million times.
The original post was apparently made by Standish Town Councilor Peter Starostecki, who last month was the only councilor to vote against extending a moratorium on retail marijuana shops for another six months.
He was also reportedly one of two to vote against a more permanent ban on Nov. 14. ...
Hundreds of supportive commenters began weighing in after the post was shared, first by a popular Medical Cannabis page, then by Cheech and Chong. ...
Richard “Cheech” Marin and Tommy Chong starred in the 1978 cult classic movie “Up In Smoke,” among other films and comedy albums. Marin has gone on to star in the CBS television police drama “Nash Bridges,” as well as a number of popular animated movies, such as “The Lion King” and “Cars.”
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Standish moves toward ban on retail pot
ilor Isabel Higgins, who chairs the ordinance subcommittee, voted against the proposal, as did Councilor Peter Starostecki, who also serves on that committee. ... Starostecki was the lone councilor to vote against the marijuana moratorium extension in October, suggesting that the town could benefit from economic development if it allowed retail marijuana businesses to operate there. He said he has worked on draft ordinances to make that possible.
Starostecki appeared frustrated during the discussion.
“I’m insulted that you would go ahead and pass this ban,” he said, adding that the ordinances he drafted were currently in legal review. ...
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http://news.keepmecurrent.com/standish-moves-toward-ban-on-retail-pot/
Nibble on these Maine political morsels before the big meal
... A tribal state representative became a Green and says he’ll run for Maine’s 2nd District. Non-voting Rep. Henry John Bear of the Houlton Band of Maliseet Indians became the second Green in the Legislature on Tuesday. On Wednesday, Bear said in a news release that he’ll kick off a run for Maine’s 2nd Congressional District later this week, saying he would work toward a “safer and more inclusive world community.” U.S. Rep. Bruce Poliquin, a Republican, already has nine other challengers. Lucas St. Clair and Jared Golden are his most likely Democratic challengers, but a libertarian and two unaffiliated candidates are also running longshot bids. ...
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