News & Updates

OCP Announces 15-member Cannabis Hospitality Task Force (Adult Use)
Following a competitive application process, the Office of Cannabis Policy (OCP) has announced the formation of its new Cannabis Hospitality Task Force. The 15-member panel is tasked with reviewing how other states regulate cannabis hospitality establishments and drafting policy recommendations for regulating those establishments in Maine. Read more.

Routine Technical Rulemaking Underway (Adult Use)
OCP is currently engaging in routine technical rulemaking for the adult use program to make changes to the Rules for the Certification of Cannabis Testing Facilities, 18-691 CMR, ch. 5. The proposed rule and public comment form can be accessed here. All public comments must be submitted to OCP by July 14, 2024 at 11:59 p.m.

Enacted Cannabis-related Legislation Webinar (Medical & Adult Use)
OCP held a webinar on May 30 that covered recent changes to the laws governing Maine’s medical and adult use cannabis programs as a result of the Second Regular Session of the 131st Legislature. A recording of the event is available on OCP’s YouTube channel and a document outlining the changes is available on OCP’s website.

Reminders for Retailers Participating in Safe Storage for ME (Medical & Adult Use)
As Safe Storage for ME winds down, we would like to thank all the participating retailers who took the time to be part of this pilot program! Stores who have distributed all their safe storage bags are reminded to contact Tracy Jacques to complete their participation. Stores who still have bags remaining may also contact Tracy if they wish to have those bags reallocated to other retailers.

Lessons from Licensing

In advance of the legislative changes from P.L. 2023, ch. 637 going into effect on August 9, registered caregivers should be sure that all contact information provided to OCP— especially personal contact information—is accurate and up-to-date as it will remain confidential unless otherwise excepted by statute.

Please contact [email protected] if you need to update your contact information.

Compliance Corner

Program participants are reminded that recent legislation did not make any changes to 28-B MRS § 504(5), the subsection prohibiting co-located medical and adult use retail stores.

That subsection continues to prohibit “A cannabis store licensee that is also a registered caregiver or a registered dispensary…” from “…sell[ing] or offer[ing] for sale to consumers adult use cannabis and adult use cannabis products … within the same facility or building in which the licensee also sells or offers for sale to qualifying patients cannabis and cannabis products for medical use pursuant to the Maine Medical Use of Cannabis Act.”

Upcoming Events

Adult Use Rulemaking Public Hearing
Tuesday, July 2, 2024 | 10:00 a.m.
OCP is hosting an in-person public hearing on the proposed Rules for the Certification of Cannabis Testing Facilities, 18-691 CMR, ch. 5. In addition to written public comments, the public hearing provides another opportunity to submit public comments and ask questions about the rules. The hearing will take place at 19 Union Street (Room 324), Augusta, Maine.

Cannabis Hospitality Task Force Meeting #1
Wednesday, July 10, 2024 | 1:00 – 4:00 p.m.
The first meeting of the new Cannabis Hospitality Task Force is coming up on July 10! Interested members of the public may stream any of the task force meetings live, or review archived meetings, through OCP’s YouTube channel. Meeting materials, recordings, and other information may be viewed on the Cannabis Hospitality Task Force webpage as it becomes available.

Oxford County Listening Session
Wednesday, July 31, 2024 | 6:00 p.m.
OCP Director John Hudak and staff will be visiting Oxford County this summer as part of the Office’s statewide listening tour! Join us in Paris for a town hall-style event to ask questions, share feedback, and learn more about Maine’s regulated cannabis programs. Register here.

Save the dates! OCP will be hosting additional listening tour events on September 24 in Waldo County and September 25 in Knox County. More information to come.

Team OCP – Meet Heather

Heather Doran joined the OCP team in May of 2020. In her role as a Licensing Analyst, Heather enjoys working with individuals as they navigate the licensing process and connecting with people from all walks of life and experience.

Reflecting on her journey so far, Heather said, “I initially joined OCP to support the development of agency relationships that would support data collection and informed decision-making. I continue to find that developing relationships and connections between agencies and stakeholders drives my dedication to the organization.”

In her free time, Heather enjoys spending time reading, listening to music, and exploring the outdoors.

Municipal Reminders

OCP’s Municipal Reimbursement Program helps reimburse municipalities for qualifying expenses associated with opting to permit adult use cannabis establishments. This includes legal fees, staff time, and more!