Maine is one of nine states voting on cannabis legalization this Nov. 8. If it receives the majority of votes, the Maine Marijuana Legalization Measure, commonly known as Question 1, will legalize, regulate, and tax cannabis. Author, radio and television travel show host, and longtime cannabis activist Rick Steves wants to make sure that residents vote for it despite official opposition. To that end, he’s been in Maine, sharing drug policy insights from his European travels and his Washington home state to help voters make a well-informed decision.

MERRY JANE sat down with Steves to discuss the parallels between the American Northwest and Northeast, harm reduction versus moralizing, organized crime, and protecting the youth. Watch the video to see why he’s for legal marijuana in Maine and elsewhere.