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Running a retail cannabis business can be taxing if you don’t know what you’re doing. Any small business requires a level of professionalism, but a cannabis business is unique in that the laws of each state, county, and even city differ across the U.S.
Without a consensus, even a seasoned pro in one state will still have to study up on other states, and even once you get the hang of a state’s laws, they can quickly change at any given election. Here’s everything you need to know about operating a compliant cannabis business in Maine, and the state’s cannabis laws.
Yes, medical marijuana was legalized in 1990 and recreational marijuana was legalized by the Marijuana Legalization Act in 2016, allowing licensed retail businesses to open.
Cannabis licenses in Maine will be issued through the Division of Administrative and Financial Services. Five license types will be available: Retail, Growing, Manufacturing, Testing, and Social Club
This is currently not clear as an application process has yet to be finalized and released to the public..
License application fees and annual fees have yet to be finalized and released to the public.
It is currently unclear, although judging by other states, annual licensing fees are very likely.
A retail, social club, or caregiver license will be necessary to interact directly with consumers in a B2C business.
Yes, they are expected to accept applications from businesses participating in its medical program.
It’s best to check with your local city and county government for requirements prior to applying for a state license. Several towns in Maine don’t want marijuana businesses to operate within their borders, despite statewide legalization overruling local law.
Each city is different, so check with local legislators. There are no statewide rules regarding cannabis events, except that public consumption is forbidden. There are several state permits needed though, and a social club permit may be necessary.
The location of your cannabis events determines which license you’ll need to pursue. If you’re attending an event like a High Times Cannabis Cup, you’re actually a vendor at that event.
Holding your own offsite events puts you in a position where you need to file the proper city and county licenses. Work with the venue to ensure this is completed in a timely manner.
Yes. You can hold events on your premises, host offsite events, or attend offsite events proudly representing your business.
Reading, understanding, and consistently applying Maine state cannabis regulations is essential. During the application process, your entire organization will be tested on compliance competency.
Also track everything. Record every interaction. Have every dollar, plant, and product tracked from seed to sale. A solid POS that can automatically interface with the state’s tracking system is only the start of what you’ll need to stay compliant.
Required cannabis business security measures will cost at least $100,000. Video surveillance, security lighting, transportation and waste disposal processes, platforms, and procedures need to be in place from day one.
Cloud video data storage will be a significant cost for startup businesses. Plan ahead for this.
It’s a funny question, because you’ll be labeling all product that enters and exits your retail store. There are no specific regulations about packaging on premises, but cannabis must be already sealed before transport.
Yes and no. Generally, you can’t sell alcohol or tobacco at cannabis dispensaries or cannabis at smoke shops, liquor shops, etc. Terpenes (basically cannabis essential oils) and hemp products have different rules. It’s possible to create cannabis-flavored products that don’t include THC.
Also, tinctures contain alcohol, so even though THC vodka or beer (or even vodka or beer without cannabis) would be illegal in Maine dispensaries, alcohol-based tinctures are allowed.
Yes. In fact, Maine has eight licensed, vertically integrated cannabis businesses.
Yes, you can give away product, but it must not be consumed on the premises without a social club license and that still doesn’t allow smoking.
There are no statewide regulations as of yet, but this could change, and localities are likely to impose their own restrictions.
There’s no specific reference to displaying products publicly, but advertising or marketing online or on mobile devices is prohibited. Local laws may vary, so check with local government officials.
21 for recreational cannabis.
