Maine: first dispensary licenses awarded

Maine's cannabis regulator announced Tuesday that it had finally issued the state's first round of commercial cannabis licenses, just weeks away from the launch of retail sales.

This announcement comes after voters approved a ballot legalization measure in 2016, California, Massachusetts and Nevada have already launched their own systems for growing and selling cannabis.

L’Office of Marijuana Policy (OMP) announced last month that sales would begin soon. While licensed retailers won't be able to sell products until October 9, new licensees will be able to grow and process cannabis as soon as possible to ensure a smooth rollout. Retailers should also develop public safety policies to prevent coronavirus transmission.

«Maine will have the distinction of being the only state to launch its adult-use cannabis program during a pandemic,» said OMP Director Erik Gundersen in a press release. «Public health and safety are themes that have been part of the Office of Cannabis Policy's mission statement since day one. Therefore, our top priority remains the well-being of employees and consumers in this new industry.»

Earlier today, OMP issued the very first active licenses for Maine's adult use marijuana program.

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Press release: https://t.co/LLlrQyDHES
Adult use transparency dashboard: https://t.co/AwIf1FHHSh pic.twitter.com/G3zR4hgPoz

- Maine Office of Cannabis Policy (@MaineOCP) September 8, 2020

The OMP said it had approved licenses for three cultivators, two cannabis stores and a testing center. Other licenses are under review.

«While the current health pandemic has delayed our efforts and will likely contribute to a less robust market introduction than anticipated, today's action is a start toward fulfilling the will of Maine voters to provide adults 21 and older with a legal mechanism to obtain cannabis,» said Gundersen.

«The initial market is likely to be limited in terms of accessibility and product availability, but the industry will evolve responsibly and provide safe and convenient access to adult-use cannabis in the weeks and months ahead.»

Sales should have opened in March 2020, but the coronavirus pandemic delayed the opening by several months.