News & Updates

A Cannabis Conversation on Sustainability (Medical & Adult Use)
On July 18, OCP held a Cannabis Conversation on Sustainability to engage with program participants and stakeholders on energy efficiency, waste minimization, water management, and more. A recording of the event is available on OCP’s YouTube channel.

2022 Annual Report (Medical)
The 2022 MMCP Annual Report is now available! Learn more about the program’s capacity and highlights from 2022.

Metrc Shares Batch Tagging Implementation Update (Adult Use)
Metrc Support has provided an update on the implementation of Flexible Standardized Batch Tracking (FSBT). Information about pre-ordering batch tags, virtual and live training opportunities, and more is available in this bulletin.

Governor Mills Holds Ceremonial Signing for LD 1063 (Adult Use)
On July 31, Governor Mills held a ceremonial bill signing for LD 1063. Adult use licensees were in attendance to celebrate this legislation which provides tax relief for Maine’s adult use cannabis industry. This change will allow licensees to take business expense deductions on their Maine tax returns like any other legal business and improves parity between the state’s medical and adult use cannabis businesses.

Lessons from Licensing

In the Maine Medical Use of Cannabis Program (MMCP), a retail storefront means a store that has a fixed location, a sign, regular business hours, is accessible to the public, and sells directly to a consumer (patient). See 22 M.R.S. § 2422(1-F).

If you do not meet the above definition, you do not need to check on your application that are you are operating a retail storefront. If you do meet this definition, then you must check the appropriate box on your application and include proof of local authorization for your retail store.

Compliance Corner

When combining packages from two or more harvest batches, creating batches of cannabis concentrate, or making batches of a cannabis product, adult use licensees must create a “production batch” package for that batch in Metrc. This step is critical for ensuring accurate and efficient tracking of the particular batch in Metrc and is required for compliance with the program rules.

Watch Metrc’s training video on creating a production batch here or read more about best practices for production batches in this Metrc bulletin.

Upcoming Events

Enacted Cannabis-related Legislation Webinar

The Office of Cannabis Policy (OCP) is hosting a webinar on Thursday, August 10 at 3:00 p.m. that will cover recent changes to the laws governing the Maine Medical Use of Cannabis Program (MMCP) and the Adult Use Cannabis Program (AUCP) as a result of the most recent legislative session. Register here.

2023 Statewide Listening Tour

OCP Director John Hudak and staff are conducting a statewide listening tour in 2023. Join us at a town hall event near you to ask questions, share feedback, and learn more about Maine’s regulated cannabis programs!

Androscoggin County Listening Session
Wednesday, August 23 at 6:00 p.m. in Auburn

Cumberland County Listening Session
Wednesday, September 27 at 6:00 p.m. in Portland

Somerset County Listening Session
Wednesday, October 18 at 6:00 p.m. in Skowhegan

Team OCP – Meet Megan

Megan Stratton has been part of the OCP team since January 2022. Megan is an Office Specialist I where she reviews and processes applications for both the medical and adult use programs.

She says of her experience, “I really enjoy being involved in the industry and being able to engage directly with applicants. It really feels like we are able to build close relationships with applicants through the process. We engage with each other on a first name basis and it is just a wonderful and inviting environment.”

On weekends you can find Megan barrel racing with one of her two horses, Alpha and Valkyrie. Additionally, Megan is a mother of four and has a French Bulldog named Richard.

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!