From Ellsworth American (elleworthamerican.com):
Voters approved the amendment, making Maine the first state in the nation to do so. Statewide, 61 percent of voters were in favor with more than 90 percent of districts reporting Wednesday morning.
The amendment declares that “all individuals have a natural, inherent and unalienable right to grow, raise harvest, produce and consume the food of their own choosing for their nourishment, sustenance, bodily health and well-being.”
Supporters of the amendment, which is an extension of the state’s food sovereignty movement, say it will strengthen food security in the state and protect local farmers from government overreach.
“With over 60 percent of the vote, I am overwhelmed with excitement to share that Maine will be the first in the nation to constitutionally protect food freedom!” state Rep. Billy Bob Faulkingham (R-Winter Harbor) said in a statement. Faulkingham sponsored the amendment.
“Our country and our Legislature seem more divided than ever, but the right to food was the issue that brough Democrats and Republicans together. Maine people love their freedom and their self-sufficiency — and to them it’s not political.”
This was triggered from years of State government overreach, preventing people from making, selling, buying raw milk, for example. Really pissed people off. State government out of control trying to tell people what they can and can't do on their own property, with their own bodies, making their own healthy food decisions. This is a big win, especially with the huge margin. This is something all rural people can agree on. A big step on the road to self-sufficiency, when the gov't can't stop you from growing and raising your own food.