Maine to Allow Medical Marijuana Manufacturing Facilities

Maine will hold a public hearing on July 8, 2019 on the Office of Marijuana Policy’s proposed rules for medical marijuana manufacturing facilities. The regulator will accept public comments until July 18, 2019. The proposed rules establish minimum standards and a registration regime for entities, excluding caregivers, patients, and dispensaries, that process marijuana to create medical marijuana products and extracts.

The proposed rule would allow companies located in Maine to apply for a medical marijuana manufacturing license. The state will grant a license upon receipt of an application and approval from a local jurisdiction to operate a manufacturing facility. There appear to be no license caps or limits on out-of-state ownership. The proposed rules also permit volatile extraction methods.

It is unclear the market potential for medical marijuana manufacturers in the state given that caregivers and the eight (8) medical dispensaries may manufacture marijuana products including edibles. As of December 31, 2018, Maine’s medical marijuana market has 45,000 patients and 2,462 licensed caregivers. However, marijuana manufacturers will be able to also establish a presence in the state’s recreational marijuana market as the state has a population of over 1.3 million people.