AUGUSTA, Maine — Gov. Janet Mills has signed a law setting up a legal framework in Maine for the sale of recreational marijuana to adults.
L.D. 719, "An Act Regarding Adult Use Marijuana", makes changes to the Marijuana Legalization Act and approves provisional rules developed by the Mills administration.
One of the changes to the MLA includes an amendment to the Maine Food Law, establishing that:
- edibles made with recreational marijuana will no longer be considered adulterated
- certain vendors will be able to access limited areas of licenses
- the Department will be allowed to put a hold on a licensee
The Maine Legislature enacted the bill last week.
Mill's office said Thursday, June 27 that the law will take effect in mid-September. State officials say retail adult-use marijuana could arrive in stores as soon as early 2020.
The Office of Marijuana Policy worked with seven state agencies while completing its rule-making work. These agencies include:
- Department of Agriculture, Conservation and Forestry
- Department of Health and Human Services
- Department of Labor
- Department of Public Safety
- Department of Environmental Protection
- Department of Professional and Financial Regulation
- DAFS’ Maine Revenue Services
The Office also worked with the Office of the Attorney General, Department of the Secretary of State, and the Legislature's Office of Policy and Legal Analysis.
The signing of this bill into law puts the OMP on track to start accepting applications for recreational marijuana licenses by the end of 2019.
The OMP is expected to spend the next few months working on a marijuana track and trace system, an adult use licensing system, and a public health and safety education campaign.
Maine voters approved the legalization marijuana in a public vote in 2016, but sales have since been long delayed.
Municipalities will be allowed to opt in or out of allowing marijuana sales. Only a handful of cities and towns have laid the groundwork for retail sales so far.