Sen. Maxmin introduces bill to support Maine’s small medical marijuana caregivers

Posted: February 07, 2022 | Senator Maxmin, Veterans and Legal Affairs

AUGUSTA – On Monday, Sen. Chloe Maxmin, D-Nobleboro, introduced a bill to support Maine’s small medical marijuana caregivers. LD 1784, “An Act To Ensure Legislative Review of Rules for Maine’s Medical Use of Marijuana Act,” was the subject of a public hearing before the Legislature’s Veterans and Legal Affairs Committee.

“Maine’s medical marijuana caregivers are small business owners, and right now they’re suffering from extremely burdensome regulations. Small caregivers are not often given the opportunity to make their voices heard, but when they are given that opportunity, their voices are drowned out by large, out-of-state corporations that can afford to meet these burdensome standards and squash small businesses,” said Sen. Maxmin. “Strong oversight by the Legislature is necessary to ensure that Maine’s caregivers are given the time and space to share feedback on how these rules impact their livelihoods and the wellbeing of their patients.”

Last session, the Legislature passed LD 1242, which, in part, made all rule changes governing Maine’s medical use of marijuana program major substantive changes, rather than routine technical changes. Major substantive rule changes may be adopted by an agency on a provisional basis, but must be approved by the Legislature in order to become permanent. LD 1242 was passed after Maine’s small caregivers voiced concerns with rule changes that placed an undue burden on their businesses, including round-the-clock video surveillance of their businesses, which are often private homes as well, and which jeopardized patient privacy.

LD 1784 further builds on this intent of greater oversight by requiring that all major substantive rule changes regarding Maine’s medical marijuana program be authorized by legislation, requiring further affirmative action by the Legislature. Because all bills brought before Maine’s Legislature undergo a public hearing process, this gives caregivers, patients and others affected by proposed rule changes the opportunity to make their voices heard. This would help prevent potentially harmful rules from going into effect, even temporarily.

“[LD 1784] would protect patients and caregivers from devastating rule changes in the event of something like an early emergency adjournment (as we experienced two years ago) and more simply, just fulfills the Legislature’s commitment to meaningful oversight of this valuable and lucrative program,” said Alysia Melnick on behalf of the Maine Craft Cannabis Association in testimony supporting the bill. Melnick is also an appointed member of Maine’s Marijuana Advisory Commission.

LD 1784 faces further action in committee.