Adult-Use Cannabis in Maine – What to Know

BY LIZ GOLD

Recreational Marijuana in Maine

Maine voters may have approved to legalize the recreational use, sale and taxation of cannabis in their 2016 vote, but it’s taken the state a few years to develop the program’s perimeters. Now, new rules for adult-use cannabis in Maine have been given the green light by the State Legislature and have been signed by Governor Mills. The new law will go into effect 90 days after the Legislature adjourned. Maine will then become the 8th state to have a fully-legal adult-use market. The state’s rules are designed to allow municipalities to opt-in or out of allowing sales.

What does this mean and how will marijuana sales in Maine change? Here’s a rundown, with information provided by the Portland Press Herald for adult-use cannabis in Maine:

Adult-use Cannabis Licenses

All applicants, including officers, directors, managers and partners of a company applying for a license, must live in Maine and be at least 21 years old. The majority of investors must be Mainers. Only people who have lived in Maine for four years can get licenses – until the year 2021.

Cannabis Security

Door and windows locks are now required for all marijuana businesses, as well as an alarm system monitored by a 24-hour security company and security cameras. Video footage must be stored for at least 45 days.

Adult-use Cannabis Ineligibility

Those who are exempt from applying for a state recreational marijuana license: state employees, law enforcement officers, an individual who lost a marijuana license here or in another state, and those with felony convictions in the last 10 years for a non-marijuana drug crime.

Adult-use Cannabis Cultivation licenses

There are five tiers of recreational marijuana cultivation licenses Mainers can apply for. They can range from marijuana nurseries to grow facilities with 20,000 square feet of plant canopy. Licenses start at $9 a plant for small craft growers with no more than 30 mature outdoor plants to as much as $30,000 for the largest indoor growers.

Child Protection Rules

Edibles in the shape of animals, people or characters are not allowed.

Serving size

No more than 100 milligrams of THC (the cannabinoid that creates the euphoric effect) total may be in any recreational marijuana product. A single serving may not exceed more than 10 milligrams.

Adult-use Cannabis Retail limits

Retailers of adult-use cannabis may not sell more than 2.5 ounces of usable marijuana, edibles with more than five grams of total THC content, or five grams of concentrate to a single consumer in a day.

Statewide retail hours

Marijuana may only be sold between 7 a.m. and 10 p.m. with some state-approved exceptions.

Portland-adult-use-cannabis-medical-dispensary-interior
The interior of our Portland medical cannabis dispensary.

The Portland Press Herald reports, that this brings Maine one major step closer to its first legal recreational marijuana sale, which regulators estimate could occur in March 2020 – after the state’s tracking and licensing systems are ready, marijuana businesses get state and local licenses and growers have product ready to hit the shelves.

Legislators are still determining whether to require the state to distribute 12 percent of adult-use cannabis retail sales and excise tax revenue to generating municipalities.

Wellness Connection of Maine

About Wellness Connection of Maine

Established in 2011, Wellness Connection of Maine operates four state-licensed medical cannabis dispensaries in Bath, Brewer, Gardiner and Portland. Our dispensaries are safe, inviting, spacious and accessible wellness centers fusing the best features of a pharmacy, community center and wellness practice in one convenient location. Under one roof, all your medical cannabis and full-spectrum wellness needs are answered by our member liaisons, passionate experts who care and partner with you on your journey to improved quality of life. – Peruse through our extensive library of educational books and magazines. – Enjoy a free coffee/tea and wifi in the comfort of our welcoming community center. – Attend educational events and seminars such as Medical Cannabis 101 or Cooking with Cannabis. – Other services as available, always at no cost to our patients