Public Hearing for Maine’s Recreational Marijuana Draft Rules on May 23

Maine is attempting to get recreational marijuana sales started sometime in 2019. The first public hearing regarding draft rules for the new industry is set for May 23. The hearing begins at 8 a.m. at the Holiday Inn by the Bay, located in Portland.

The hearing will last as long as it needs to in order for everyone that wants to speak has the opportunity to, the Portland Press Herald says. The Legislature must approve the rules before they can be implemented. Changes are expected to come to the state’s medical marijuana program, but those changes won’t require legislative approval.

Topics of discussion at the hearing include:

• Labeling
• Packaging
• Seed-to-sale tracking
• Licensing procedures for cultivators, retailers and manufacturers

Rules regarding testing labs will also come at a later date.

Those that cannot attend the public hearing, but wish to make their opinions known, can submit comments via email or traditional mail. Those responses need to be submitted by June 2. Email responses can be sent to erik.gundersen@maine.gov using the subject line Rulemaking Comment.

Written responses can be sent to:

Director Erik Gundersen

Office of Marijuana Policy

162 State House Station

Augusta, ME 04333

The draft rules, for those that wish to read before commenting, are available on the Maine Department of Administrative and Financial Services website.