Cannabis and Maine

Even though the people of Maine voted in favor of legalizing recreational use through a referendum in 2016, it has taken a long time for the program to actually get off the ground. Issues with finding a consultant to draft the regulations, inaction by former governor Paul LePage, a vocal opponent of cannabis legalization and issues with cannabis tracking software vendors have contributed to the delay. As in states like California, municipalities in Maine need to specifically opt in to allowing adult recreational use establishments within their limits. Not specifically opting in is considered as disallowing the setting up of adult recreational cannabis use establishments. Testing labs not fully functional has also been cited as reasons for the delay in commencement of recreational sales.

One bright spot is that residents in Maine can grow their own cannabis even though they have no way of legally being able to buy or sell it without the availability of retail mechanisms.

Medical cannabis outlets are starting to open up for persons who have the required eligibility.

Maine has been one of the states that has taken action to remove CBD infused edibles from stores based on the US FDA's stance that it is illegal to add CBD to edibles. There has been confusion regarding laws around CBD in edibles with state laws saying hemp derived CBD is not barred but federal laws stating otherwise.

Opponents of cannabis were recently in the news for an ill-informed web page hosted on social media called "Good to Know Maine" by the Maine CDC talking about the supposed harms of cannabis. When cannabis activists created a satirical page poking holes in the incorrect claims made by the CDC page, the CDC was forced to take down their misinformation.

So overall Maine seems to be going through a phase where it is ironing out its legal recreational cannabis implementation. The fact that home growing is allowed is a big plus while the non-availability of sufficient growers and retailers to meet recreational use demand is probably the main concern that needs to be addressed.

At least 35 US states have legalized cannabis for medical use so far. The federal US government however continues to keep cannabis in the Schedule 1 list of banned substances saying that it has no medicinal value. The list of US states that have legalized adult recreational cannabis is available here. All these states have legalized cannabis for adult recreational use, aimed specifically at improving public health, ensuring equity,  reducing crime, decreasing the black market, improving law enforcement, reforming criminal justice, improving the economy, agriculture and industry, to name just a few reasons.

Listed below are articles taken from various media related to the above subject. Words in italics are the thoughts of your truly at the time of reading the article.   

'They say people will be able to harvest their own hemp and then process it themselves to extract the CBD content, which can then be used in a variety of ways to use for the range of treatments it can provide.

“Make their own medicine," says Taryn.'
https://www.newscentermaine.com/article/news/local/as-seen-on-tv/pick-your-own-hemp-field-a-sign-of-popularity-of-cbd/97-6454acfd-f382-4762-bcb2-643637f5ec52


'Maine’s adult-use marijuana program has been on hold since voters approved it in 2016, and a lack of labs to test recreational products has been a roadblock for the program.

 The temporary permits will expire six months after the city adopts permanent licensing rules, which could happen as soon as next month.'
https://mjbizdaily.com/maine-cannabis-testing-labs-receive-temporary-licenses/

'The commission will hold annual hearings to solicit comment on how the new marijuana laws are affecting the way the police and public interact, collect data on how legalization is impacting Maine, and tackle big-picture issues that the legislative panel did not have time to address last year, such as whether Maine needs to build its own cannabis enforcement department or bureau within the state Department of Administrative and Financial Services, Pierce said.'
https://www.pressherald.com/2018/12/04/maines-marijuana-advisory-commission-taking-shape/


'As it stands, Maine municipalities have to opt in to allowing adult-use marijuana establishments. If a town were to take no action on adult-use establishments, they would be barred. That change from the usual opt-out policy came in May. Two months later, the Maine House of Representatives and the Maine Senate overrode a Gov. Paul LePage veto to reform medical marijuana policies to include the same opt-in clause. '
https://www.centralmaine.com/2018/12/28/maine-communities-looking-at-marijuana-laws-as-year-winds-down/


'More specifically, LD 630 An Act To Clarify That Food, Food Additives and Food Products Containing Hemp-derived Cannabidiol Produced and Sold within the State Are Not Adulterated and To Match the State’s Definition of “Hemp” to the Definition in Federal Law states that food, food additives and food products that contain hemp and hemp products, including hemp derived cannabidiol, are not considered to be “adulterated” under state law and that the non-pharmaceutical or nonmedical production, marketing, sale or distribution within the State of food, food additives or food products that contain hemp-derived cannabidiol may not be prohibited.'
https://www.maine.gov/governor/mills/news/governor-mills-signs-emergency-legislation-allowing-sale-hemp-derived-products-maine-2019-03


'The consultant kerfuffle is one of many stumbling blocks that have delayed the full implementation of a recreational program that voters approved at referendum in 2016. Residents can now grow cannabis for recreational use at home, but still have no way to legally buy or sell it.

Other delays included two legislative rewrites of the original referendum question, repeated vetoes and then inaction by former Gov. Paul LePage, a vocal marijuana opponent, and the state’s decision to kill a deal last month with the nation’s largest consultant that provides cannabis tracking software because of  bidding concerns.'
https://www.pressherald.com/2019/04/10/maine-recreational-pot-will-roll-out-in-2019/


'Early this month, a satirical Facebook page popped up called “Good-to-NO Maine,” including a variety of tongue in cheek posts. A day later, the state took down the original informational “Good to Know Maine” Facebook page.

“With the real substance abuse issues that we have, we have to ask ourselves if this is the best use of resources,” says marijuana advocate and Belfast dispensary owner Paul McCarrier, who says he was not involved in the satire site.

McCarrier says the state’s response demonstrates the ineffectiveness of the original campaign.'
http://www.mainepublic.org/post/maine-cdc-shuts-down-marijuana-facebook-page-day-after-critics-launch-satire-page


'What is believed to be Maine’s first medical cannabis convenience store is scheduled to open in Portland this week.

Atlantic Farms Gas N’ Grass says it will sell cannabis-infused gummies, tinctures and smokable marijuana on Thursday, the first day Maine’s new sweeping medical marijuana law takes effect.'
https://mjbizdaily.com/maine-marijuana-convenience-store/


'New York City is not alone in addressing the use of CBD in food. In Maine, one of 10 U.S. states that has legalized marijuana for recreational use, state health officials recently ordered businesses to remove CBD-infused edibles from stores, The Portland Press Herald reported.'
https://www.nytimes.com/2019/02/05/nyregion/cbd-food-nyc-restaurants.html


'Governor Janet Mills told CBS 13 she is watching what is going on in Massachusetts as Maine looks to implement the voter-approved law legalizing recreational marijuana sales.'
https://wgme.com/news/local/gov-mills-looks-to-mass-for-guidance-on-implementing-recreational-marijuana-in-maine 


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