Maine Cannabis Regulators Proposing ‘User-Friendly’ Rules Rewrite

Maine cannabis regulators are proposing new guidelines intended to make the state’s rules more user-friendly, the Portland Press Herald reports. Gabi Pierce, Maine Office of Cannabis Policy policy director, said the new rules would be a “repeal and replace” of the old rules that would include updated formatting, organization, and language. 

The proposed regulations include a new policy that would allow cannabis retailers, manufacturers, and cultivators to deliver to hotels and businesses, allowing the companies to cater directly to tourists. Under the current rules, Maine cultivators and manufacturers cannot sell directly to customers. 

The bill to overhaul the state’s regulations also includes provisions to double the allowable THC in cannabis products from 100 milligrams per package to 200 milligrams and double the amount of concentrates individuals can purchase at a time from 5 grams to 10 grams. 

The proposal comes as Maine cannabis sales reached $21 million in July, which represents a new sales record in the state, according to state data outlined by the Press Herald. The state has also seen about 2 million cannabis transactions this year, nearly doubling the number of transactions in all of 2021.  

Officials will discuss the proposed rules changes this week and regulators are taking public comments until September 17. If approved, the new rules would take effect in January.