While Maine marijuana regulation has faced delays, the Pine Tree State finally has a regulatory draft to show for itself.
Tag Archives: maine
Marijuana Lobbyists Harvest Cash From Bankers, Accountants, Lawyers
Bankers, accountants, lawyers, real estate brokers and other professionals hoping to serve Maine’s recreational marijuana industry spent much of the $260,000 that has been paid to State House marijuana lobbyists so far in 2017.
This Is Why Recreational Marijuana Sales in Maine Won’t Happen on Time
It looks like residents of the Pine Tree State will now have to wait several more months for recreational marijuana sales in Maine.
HempAmericana, Inc. Signs Strategic Partnerships
NEW YORK, Aug. 15, 2017 /Weed Wire/ — HempAmericana, Inc. (OTC PINK: HMPQ) researcher, developer, and wholesaler of industrial hemp products and imminent market share leader in the CBD oil market announced today it has signed two major strategic partnerships with companies in Maine and New York.
Maine Lawmakers Want to Limit Size of Personal Marijuana Grows
In the state of Maine, a proposal set forth by the legislature’s Joint Select Committee on Marijuana Legalization Implementation aims to limit the amount of personal marijuana that can be grown on an individual’s property.
Maine Medical Marijuana Dispensary Offers Free Marijuana for Community Service
Over the weekend, a Maine medical marijuana dispensary gained national attention after offering a unique reward for community service. Dubbed “Weed for Weeds,” Summit Medical Marijuana, a dispensary in Gardiner, offered free marijuana to legal adults willing to collect trash from around the area.
Maine Legislative Panel Mulls Raising 10 Percent Tax on Marijuana
As the legalization of recreational marijuana sales nears, a Maine legislative panel has spent months pondering the best way to tax pot to bring in state revenue, fund regulatory enforcement and discourage the illicit market.
Maine Lawmakers Approve Bill Requiring Testing Marijuana for Safety
Marijuana safety is a major concern for the Maine lawmakers, who want to make sure all marijuana is tested before hitting retail shelves. On July 20, 2017, the Maine House approved a bill that would require the Department of Agriculture to create testing facilities for marijuana.
Maine Legislature Approves Organ Transplant Bill for Medical Marijuana Patients
On June 12, 2017, the Maine state senate voted to approve LD 764, a bill that would prevent medical marijuana patients from being denied organ transplants.
Maine Senate Approves Measure to Fund Legalization Implementation
On May 25, 2017, the Maine Senate voted unanimously to approve LD 243, a measure that would fund legalization implementation for the state’s recreational marijuana market.
Maine Legislature Passes Bill to Fund the Implementation of the Marijuana Legalization Initiative and Change the Agency That Will Regulate Marijuana for Adult Use
AUGUSTA, Maine, May 25, 2017 /Weed Wire/ — The Maine Legislature has passed a bill to fund the implementation of the successful 2016 marijuana legalization initiative and change the agency that will regulate marijuana for adult use.
The Challenges of Enforcing Maine’s Marijuana Laws
Local law enforcement say there are still many questions to be answered about how to enforce the new legal marijuana law, especially when it comes to driving under the influence.
Maine’s Caregivers Surged as Dispensary Sales Dropped in 2016
On April 21, 2017, the Maine Department of Health and Human Services issued its 2016 annual report on the state’s medical marijuana program, noting that the number of caregivers rose from 2,258 in 2015 to 3,258 in 2016, an increase of 44%.
Lobbyists Lining Up to Influence Marijuana Laws in Maine
More than $140,000 has already been spent in the state as stakeholders seek a voice in how lawmakers regulate the lucrative recreational industry.
MMJ Providers Seek First Chance at Retail Sales in Maine
Medical marijuana dispensaries and caregivers are quietly lobbying state lawmakers to allow them to sell pot to recreational users before retail cannabis stores open in Maine next year.
Testimony in Maine on Bill to Allow MMJ Patients to Receive Organ Transplants
On March 27, 2017, members of Maine’s Joint Standing Committee on Health and Human Services heard testimony in favor of LD 764, a bill that would allow medical marijuana patients to receive organ transplants.
Wellness Connection of Maine Now Offers Debit Payment Option
PORTLAND, Maine, March 16, 2017 /Weed Wire/ — Wellness Connection of Maine (WCM), the state’s largest medical cannabis operator, now offers members the ability to pay for cannabis without using cash. A new mobile app, CanPay, is the first of its kind technology for the cannabis industry.
Alaska Marijuana Control Board Tables Proposed Social-Use Rule
On Feb 2., 2017, the Alaska Marijuana Control Board voted 3-2 to table a proposed rule that would permit local governments to allow the on-site use of recreational marijuana at licensed dispensaries.
New Hampshire Decriminalization Bill Receives Broad Support
New Hampshire’s House of Representatives is currently considering a bill that would decriminalize the possession of marijuana and the bill is garnering strong bipartisan support.
Marijuana Officially Becomes Legal for Adults in Maine
PORTLAND, Maine, Jan. 30, 2016 /Weed Wire/ — A voter-approved initiative to end marijuana prohibition in Maine officially took effect Monday, making it legal for adults 21 and older to possess and grow limited amounts of marijuana.
Marijuana Will Be Legal in Maine Monday
Maine voters in November approved legalizing marijuana; the law goes into effect January 30.
Investment Experts Predict Explosive Year for Cannabis
Although the legal cannabis industry is still in its infancy, it’s already delivering tremendous results. According to tech financial guru Michael A. Robinson, the cannabis industry has been one of the fastest growing sectors in the stock market.
NORML Calls Marijuana Implementation Delays an “Affront to Democracy”
WASHINGTON, Jan. 18, 2017 /Weed Wire/ — Legislators in a number of states are pushing forward measures to delay the enactment of voter-initiated marijuana laws. NORML Executive Director Erik Altieri strongly criticized the delays, calling them “an affront to the democratic process.”
In Maine, Marijuana Legalization Raises Demand For Industrial Real Estate
Since Maine voters legalized marijuana, real estate brokers in the state are seeing an increased demand for industrial space, according to a Jan. 16, 2017, article in the Portland Press Herald. Maine’s industrial real estate market had been improving in recent years, and the need for marijuana business space has given the sector a new boost.
Maine Legislators Propose Extension of Delay in Marijuana Retail Sales
Adult-use marijuana legalization in Maine is set for Jan. 30, 2017, but the law included a nine-month delay in retail sales to allow lawmakers to set rules. Now Senate President Mike Thibodeau, a Republican from Winterport, Maine, and Rep. Louis Luchini, a Democrat from Ellsworth, Maine, have proposed extending the delay until Feb. 1, 2018.
Maine Governor Certifies Pot Vote But Urges Moratorium on Sales
Maine Gov. Paul LaPage on Dec. 31, 2016, signed a proclamation certifying the state’s narrow vote to approve adult-use of marijuana, according to a Jan. 3, 2017, article in the Portland Press Herald. LaPage confirmed the signature during a Jan. 3, 2017, radio show program during which he also urged Maine legislators to set a moratorium on marijuana sales.
What Legalization Means for Maine’s Medical Marijuana Industry
Last week, Governor LePage suggested doing away with Maine’s medical marijuana program, but medical marijuana patients and recreational marijuana users have vastly different needs.
Marijuana Opponents in Maine Accept Defeat and Drop Recount
On Dec. 17, 2016, an anti-legalization group in Maine withdrew its recount request with the Secretary of State’s Bureau of Elections, ending the recount of Question 1, an initiative legalizing recreational marijuana in the state.
Maine Governor Wants to Get Rid of State’s Medical Marijuana Program
Now that adult-use marijuana is legal in Maine, Gov. Paul LePage wants to get rid of the state’s medical marijuana program. Maine voters passed Question 1, the marijuana legalization referendum, on Nov. 8, 2016, leading LePage to say “we’ve got to get rid of medical marijuana” on a recent interview with a radio show.
Maine Marijuana Opponents Fail to Produce Enough Volunteers for Recount
Opponents of legalization in Maine have come under fire after failing to produce enough volunteers for the first two and a half days of a statewide ballot recount for Question 1, a marijuana legalization initiative that was narrowly approved by voters.
New Hampshire Officers Worry About Legalization in Neighboring States
Law enforcement officers in New Hampshire are worried about the impact of legalized marijuana in neighboring Massachusetts and Maine. “Regardless of what the existing laws are in the state of Maine or the state of Massachusetts, marijuana possession is illegal in New Hampshire,” State Police Lt. Chris Vetter said.
Maine Starts Recount of Marijuana Legalization Ballots
On Dec. 5, 2016, Maine began the recount of Question 1, a ballot initiative legalizing recreational marijuana in the state. Backed by opponents of the initiative, this marks the first time in Maine’s history that a statewide recount has been issued.
Wellness Connection Announces Departure of Becky DeKeuster
PORTLAND, Maine, Dec. 1, 2016 /Weed Wire/ — Wellness Connection of Maine (WCM) and Becky DeKeuster, WCM’s Co-Founder, announced today that Ms. DeKeuster has left the company to pursue new professional opportunities.
Maine Communities Mulling Marijuana Moratoriums
Town Councils in South Portland and Cumberland will meet Monday evening to discuss a marijuana moratorium.
Marijuana Legalization: An Open Letter from Dale Sky Jones on the Passing of Prop 64 in California
OAKLAND, Calif., Nov. 14, 2016 /Weed Wire/ — Once again, the most popular candidate on the ballot was cannabis.
Maine’s Marijuana Opponents Want a Recount
Although voters in Maine narrowly approved Question 1, a ballot measure legalizing recreational marijuana in the state, opponents of the measure are saying “not so fast.”
New York Braces for Legal Marijuana in Mass.
Bringing marijuana from Massachusetts or Maine to New York, or from any other states where it’s legal, is a violation under New York law.
More States Vote to Allow Recreational Marijuana
The marijuana industry got a boost on election night. Voters in California, Nevada and Massachusetts approved measures to legalize recreational pot. Campaigns spent millions to support or oppose the effort.
Bipartisan Landslide Win for National Cannabis “Referendum”
OAKLAND, Nov. 9, 2016 /Weed Wire/ — In the midst of the most divisive election in living history the issue of cannabis reform has united voters across the nation.
Tap Into New England’s Cannabis Jackpot in Vegas
On Nov. 16, 2016, Marijuana Investor Summit will talk Massachusetts and Maine at the Palms Casino Resort in Las Vegas, Nevada, taking on the future of recreational marijuana in New England.
Four States End Marijuana Prohibition, Three Adopt Medical Marijuana Laws in Historic Election
WASHINGTON, Nov. 9, 2016 /Weed Wire/ — California, Maine, Massachusetts, and Nevada voted to end marijuana prohibition and Arkansas, Florida, and North Dakota adopted medical marijuana laws.
Legal Marijuana Approved in Two New England States
Voters in Massachusetts and Maine legalized marijuana on Nov. 8, 2016, becoming the first two states east of the Rockies to do so. The results from Massachusetts’s Question 4 were announced before midnight on Election Day, while the outcome of Maine’s Question 1 remained undetermined until early the next morning.
Voters Could Legalize Marijuana For Quarter of All Americans
Potential victories in Arizona, Nevada, Massachusetts and Maine would fill in much of the rest of the West and extend recreational use to the Northeast. Opinion polls show voters favoring the initiative in all five states.In addition, measures to legalize medical marijuana or expand its use are on the ballot in North Dakota, Montana, Arkansas and Florida.
Voters in Nine States Will Decide Whether to Roll Back Marijuana Prohibition on Tuesday
WASHINGTON, Nov. 7, 2016 /Weed Wire/ — Voters in nine states will decide whether to roll back marijuana prohibition on Tuesday, marking the biggest Election Day in history for marijuana policy reform.
As States Begin Voting on Marijuana, Pew Poll Finds Growing Support Nationwide
WASHINGTON, Oct. 12, 2016 /Weed Wire/ — A new poll released Wednesday by the Pew Research Center shows a growing majority of Americans support ending marijuana prohibition.
Maine’s Medical Pot Growers Split on Recreational Legalization
In Maine, medical marijuana advocates are divided on legalization of recreational pot, according to an Oct. 11, 2016, article in the Bangor Daily News. Residents will vote in November 2016 on Question 1, the ballot question which could legalize recreational pot. The state already has allowed medical marijuana.
U.S. Pro-Marijuana Campaigners Launch TV Ads Ahead of November Votes
Campaigns to legalize recreational marijuana use in Massachusetts and Maine launched their first television ads on Monday, hoping to boost public awareness and support ahead of November votes on the issue.
Business Professionals in Maine Call for Better Marijuana Regulation
A group of professionals from Maine’s business community have come together to call for better regulation of the state’s marijuana industry.
Organic Farm Group Launches Program to Certify Maine’s Medical Cannabis
Maine patients could be the first on the East Coast to consume medical marijuana grown to standards similar to those used for certified organic food products.
Which States Could Legalize Marijuana in 2016? A Guide to the States Voting on Legal Weed.
The number of states that have legalized marijuana could double come November, when voters in five more states will vote on legal weed.
Alaska, Colorado, Oregon, Washington and the District of Columbia already allow recreational marijuana use. In those four states, marijuana can be grown and sold. In D.C., sale is still illegal.