An Act To Amend the Marijuana Legalization Act
Emergency preamble. Whereas, acts and resolves of the Legislature do not become effective until 90 days after adjournment unless enacted as emergencies; and
Whereas, the people of the State of Maine in November 2016 passed into law the Marijuana Legalization Act, which establishes a system of licensing for the cultivation, manufacture, testing and retail sale of adult use marijuana and adult use marijuana products in the State and which enables persons 21 years of age or older to legally acquire, possess and consume adult use marijuana and adult use marijuana products and to cultivate marijuana for personal use; and
Whereas, amendments to the Marijuana Legalization Act are necessary to provide clarity in the licensing and regulation of adult use marijuana establishments and in the oversight and enforcement of the laws regarding the personal use and home cultivation of marijuana; and
Whereas, to facilitate the timely implementation of a retail marketplace in the State for adult use marijuana and adult use marijuana products, the agencies charged by law with the implementation, administration and enforcement of the Marijuana Legalization Act must adopt rules in accordance with that Act and the Legislature must review those rules in accordance with the Maine Administrative Procedure Act as soon as is practicable; and
Whereas, in the judgment of the Legislature, these facts create an emergency within the meaning of the Constitution of Maine and require the following legislation as immediately necessary for the preservation of the public peace, health and safety; now, therefore,
PART A
Sec. A-1. 5 MRSA §12004-I, sub-§52-C is enacted to read:
Judiciary: Marijuana | Marijuana Advisory Commission | Expenses Only | 28-B MRSA §901 |
Sec. A-2. 7 MRSA §1-C, as enacted by PL 2017, c. 278, §1, is repealed.
Sec. A-3. 7 MRSA c. 417, as amended, is repealed.
Sec. A-4. 22 MRSA §3763, sub-§11, ¶J, as enacted by PL 2017, c. 208, §2, is amended to read:
Sec. A-5. 26 MRSA §772, sub-§2, as amended by PL 2017, c. 286, §2, is further amended to read:
Sec. A-6. 28-B MRSA is enacted to read:
TITLE 28-B
ADULT USE MARIJUANA
CHAPTER 1
MARIJUANA LEGALIZATION ACT
SUBCHAPTER 1
GENERAL PROVISIONS
§ 101. Short title
This chapter may be known and cited as "the Marijuana Legalization Act."
§ 102. Definitions
As used in this Title, unless the context otherwise indicates, the following terms have the following meanings.
§ 103. Unauthorized conduct; penalties
§ 104. Administration and enforcement; rulemaking
(1) The department shall consult with the Department of Labor prior to the adoption of any rules concerning workplace, employment or other labor matters involved in the regulation of adult use marijuana and adult use marijuana products under this chapter.
(2) The department shall consult with the Department of Public Safety prior to the adoption of any rules concerning public safety or law enforcement matters involved in the regulation of adult use marijuana and adult use marijuana products under this chapter.
(1) The Department of Agriculture, Conservation and Forestry shall consult with the Department of Labor prior to the adoption of any rules concerning workplace, employment or other labor matters involved in the regulation of adult use marijuana and adult use marijuana products under this chapter.
(2) The Department of Agriculture, Conservation and Forestry shall consult with the Department of Public Safety prior to the adoption of any rules concerning public safety or law enforcement matters involved in the regulation of adult use marijuana and adult use marijuana products under this chapter.
§ 105. Tracking system
The department shall implement and administer a system, referred to in this section as "the tracking system," for the tracking of adult use marijuana and adult use marijuana products from immature marijuana plant to the point of retail sale, disposal or destruction.
§ 106. Individual identification cards
The department shall issue individual identification cards to natural persons licensed under this chapter and, upon the request of a licensee, shall issue individual identification cards to owners, officers, managers, contractors, employees or other support staff of the licensee who meet the requirements of this section for the issuance of an individual identification card.
§ 107. Collection and analysis of public health and safety data
The department shall develop programs or initiatives to facilitate the collection and analysis of data regarding the effects of the use of marijuana in the State, including, but not limited to, youth and adult marijuana use; school suspension and discipline relating to the use of marijuana; poison center calls, emergency department visits and hospitalizations relating to the use of or exposure to marijuana; operating under the influence citations or arrests relating to the use of marijuana; motor vehicle accidents, including information on fatalities, relating to the use of marijuana; violent crime relating to the use of marijuana generally; violent crime and property crime relating to the regulated and unregulated adult use marijuana markets; and marijuana-related citations or arrests. The department may adopt rules to implement this section.
§ 108. Awareness and education on public health and safety matters
The department shall develop and implement or facilitate the development and implementation by a public or private entity of programs, initiatives and campaigns focused on increasing the awareness and education of the public on health and safety matters relating to the use of marijuana and marijuana products, including, but not limited to, programs, initiatives and campaigns focused on preventing and deterring the use of marijuana and marijuana products by persons under 21 years of age. Programs, initiatives and campaigns developed and implemented pursuant to this section may be funded with revenue from the Adult Use Marijuana Public Health and Safety Fund established in section 1101. The department may adopt rules to implement this section.
§ 109. Enhanced training for criminal justice agencies
The department shall develop and implement or facilitate the development and implementation by a public or private entity of programs or initiatives providing enhanced training for criminal justice agencies in the requirements and enforcement of this chapter and the rules adopted pursuant to this chapter, including, but not limited to, programs providing grants to regional or local criminal justice agencies to train law enforcement officers in inspections, investigations, searches, seizures, forfeitures and personal use and home cultivation allowances under this chapter and chapter 3 and the rules adopted pursuant to those chapters and in drug recognition procedures and the general enforcement of the State's motor vehicle and criminal laws relating to the use of marijuana. Training programs or initiatives for criminal justice agencies developed and implemented pursuant to this section may be funded with revenue from the Adult Use Marijuana Public Health and Safety Fund established in section 1101. The department may adopt rules to implement this section.
§ 110. Investigation by a criminal justice agency of unlawful activity
A criminal justice agency may investigate unlawful activity in relation to a marijuana establishment and may conduct a criminal history record check of a licensee or its employees during an investigation of unlawful activity in relation to a marijuana establishment.
A criminal justice agency may investigate unlawful activity in relation to the personal adult use of marijuana or marijuana products or the home cultivation of marijuana for personal adult use as authorized under chapter 3.
§ 111. Cultivation, care or sale of marijuana by state or local agency prohibited
A state, county or local agency or department, including, but not limited to, the department, the Department of Agriculture, Conservation and Forestry and a criminal justice agency, may not:
§ 112. Employment policies
Notwithstanding any provision of this chapter or chapter 3 to the contrary, an employer:
§ 113. Report to Legislature
SUBCHAPTER 2
GENERAL LICENSING REQUIREMENTS
§ 201. License process; license types
The department, upon receipt of an application in the prescribed form that meets all applicable requirements for licensure under this chapter and the rules adopted pursuant to this chapter, shall issue to the applicant a conditional license to operate one or more of the following types of marijuana establishments or shall deny the application in accordance with section 206:
Except as provided in section 205, the department may not impose any limitation on the number of licenses within each type of license that it issues to a qualified individual applicant or on the total number of licenses within each type of license that it issues to qualified applicants pursuant to this chapter.
§ 202. General licensing criteria
An applicant for a license to operate a marijuana establishment must meet each of the following requirements, if applicable. Except as otherwise provided in this section, if the applicant is a business entity, every officer, director, manager and general partner of the business entity must meet each of the requirements of this section. An applicant shall disclose in or include with its application the names and addresses of the applicant and all natural persons and business entities having a direct or indirect financial interest in the applied-for license and the nature and extent of the financial interest held by each person or entity and, if applicable, the nature and extent of any financial interest the person or entity has in any other license applied for or issued under this chapter.
This subsection does not apply to an applicant for a testing facility license.
This subsection does not apply to an applicant for a testing facility license. This subsection is repealed June 1, 2020.
§ 203. Additional licensing considerations
An applicant for a license to operate a marijuana establishment shall submit, and the department shall consider in determining whether to grant the license, the following additional information. If the applicant is a business entity, the applicant must submit the information required by this section for every officer, director, manager and general partner of the business entity.
§ 204. Criminal history record check
The department shall request a criminal history record check for each applicant for a license under this chapter and may at any time require a licensee to submit to a criminal history record check in accordance with this section. If the applicant is a business entity, every officer, director, manager and general partner of the business entity is required to submit to a criminal history record check in accordance with this section. A criminal history record check conducted pursuant to this section must include criminal history record information obtained from the Maine Criminal Justice Information System established in Title 16, section 631 and the Federal Bureau of Investigation.
§ 205. Application process; issuance of license
(1) More than 3 cultivation facility licenses; or
(2) Multiple cultivation facility licenses with a combined total licensed amount of plant canopy exceeding 30,000 square feet, except when that exceedance is solely attributable to approved increases in the maximum licensed area of plant canopy authorized under a tier 4 cultivation facility license pursuant to section 304;
This paragraph is repealed January 1, 2021.
(1) Pay the applicable license fee required pursuant to section 207;
(2) Submit a facility plan that designates the location within the municipality in which the marijuana establishment will be located and that details the size and layout of the marijuana establishment;
(3) If the application is for a license to operate a cultivation facility, submit updated operating and cultivation plans as required under section 302 based upon the actual premises to be licensed, except that, if no changes to the original operating and cultivation plans submitted by the applicant are necessary based upon the actual premises to be licensed, then the applicant may satisfy this requirement by resubmitting the original operating and cultivation plans and noting on those plans that no changes are necessary; and
(4) If the application is for a license to operate a nursery cultivation facility, as described in section 301, subsection 5, a marijuana store or a marijuana social club, register with the State Tax Assessor pursuant to Title 36, section 1754-B to collect and remit the sales tax imposed pursuant to Title 36, section 1811.
§ 206. Denial of license
§ 207. Application fees; license fees
The department, in accordance with the provisions of this section, shall adopt by rule a licensing fee schedule establishing fees that are designed to meet, but not to exceed, the estimated licensing, enforcement and administrative costs of the department and the Department of Agriculture, Conservation and Forestry under this chapter.
(1) If the applicant has applied for a plant-count-based tier 1 cultivation facility license as described in section 301, subsection 1, paragraph A, a license fee of not more than $9 per mature marijuana plant for an outdoor cultivation facility and not more than $17 per mature marijuana plant for an indoor cultivation facility or a cultivation facility with both indoor and outdoor cultivation areas; or
(2) If the applicant has applied for a plant-canopy-based tier 1 cultivation facility license as described in section 301, subsection 1, paragraph B, a license fee of not more than $250 for an outdoor cultivation facility and not more than $500 for an indoor cultivation facility or a cultivation facility with both indoor and outdoor cultivation areas;
§ 208. License term
An active license issued by the department pursuant to section 205, subsection 4 is effective for a period of one year from the date of issuance and may be renewed pursuant to section 209.
§ 209. License renewal
§ 210. Transfer of ownership interests
§ 211. Relocation of licensed premises
§ 212. Termination of license
§ 213. Notice of new owner, officer, manager or employee
Before any proposed new owner, officer, manager or employee may own, manage, work for or otherwise associate with a licensee, the licensee shall notify the department in writing of the name, address and date of birth of the proposed new owner, officer, manager or employee and the proposed new owner, officer, manager or employee shall submit to a criminal history record check pursuant to section 204, obtain an individual identification card pursuant to section 106 and, in the case of a new owner or other person assuming an equity ownership interest or a partial equity ownership interest in the license, obtain approval for the transfer of ownership interests pursuant to section 210.
§ 214. Inactive licenses
The department may revoke or refuse to renew any license if it determines that the licensed premises have been inactive without good cause for a period of one year or more.
§ 215. Notification to municipality; sharing of information with Bureau of Revenue Services
The department shall notify a municipality within 14 days of the date the department approves, renews, denies, suspends or revokes the license of a licensee whose licensed premises are located or proposed to be located in the municipality; imposes a monetary penalty on a licensee located within the municipality; approves relocation of the licensed premises of a marijuana establishment to or from the municipality; or approves a transfer of ownership interest in a license with respect to which the licensed premises are located within the municipality.
The department shall provide the Bureau of Revenue Services with the same information provided to a municipality under this section at the time that the department notifies the municipality.
SUBCHAPTER 3
LICENSING REQUIREMENTS FOR CULTIVATION FACILITIES
§ 301. Cultivation facility license types
Subject to the requirements and restrictions of this subchapter and the requirements of subchapter 2, the department may issue to an applicant any of the following types of cultivation facility licenses:
An applicant for a tier 1 cultivation facility license shall designate in its cultivation plan whether the license sought is a plant-count-based tier 1 cultivation facility license under paragraph A or a plant-canopy-based tier 1 cultivation facility license under paragraph B.
§ 302. Additional information required for application for cultivation facility license
In addition to the information required to be submitted to the department pursuant to subchapter 2 and the rules relating to licensure of a cultivation facility adopted pursuant to this chapter, an applicant for a cultivation facility license shall submit to the department the following information.
§ 303. Increase in cultivation tier upon renewal
A licensee seeking renewal of a cultivation facility license may, if applicable and in accordance with this section, apply for a tier of cultivation facility license with a greater area of authorized plant canopy than is authorized under the licensee's current cultivation facility license.
This section does not apply to a nursery cultivation facility licensee.
§ 304. Increase in maximum licensed plant canopy upon renewal of tier 4 license
In accordance with the requirements of this section, not more than once every 2 years, a licensee seeking renewal of a tier 4 cultivation facility license may apply to increase by 10,000 square feet the maximum area of plant canopy authorized under its current tier 4 cultivation facility license.
SUBCHAPTER 4
MUNICIPAL REGULATION OF MARIJUANA ESTABLISHMENTS
§ 401. Municipal regulation of marijuana establishments generally
In accordance with this subchapter and pursuant to the home rule authority granted under the Constitution of Maine, Article VIII, Part Second and Title 30-A, section 3001, a municipality may regulate marijuana establishments within the municipality, including, but not limited to, adoption of the following types of regulations and restrictions.
Notwithstanding any other provision of law to the contrary, a municipal ordinance regulating marijuana establishments within the municipality adopted pursuant to this subchapter is not subject to the requirements or limitations of Title 7, chapter 6 or Title 7-A, section 201-B.
§ 402. Municipal authorization of marijuana establishments
A municipality may certify a person's compliance with the requirements of paragraph B on the form prepared and furnished by the department pursuant to section 205, subsection 4, paragraph B.
§ 403. Information requests
A municipality may request that the department provide any information obtained by the department pursuant to the provisions of subchapter 2 or 3 that the municipality determines necessary for the administration of the municipality's authorization process for marijuana establishments under this subchapter. Unless the information is confidential pursuant to law or rule, the department, in a timely manner, shall provide to the municipality the information requested pursuant to this section.
§ 404. Notification to department
A municipality shall notify the department within 14 days of the date the municipality authorizes the operation of a marijuana establishment within the municipality; issues or renews a license for the operation of a marijuana establishment within the municipality; withdraws authorization or suspends or revokes a license for the operation of a marijuana establishment within the municipality; approves relocation of the licensed premises of a marijuana establishment to the municipality; or approves a transfer of ownership interests in a license the licensed premises of which are located within the municipality.
The department shall provide the Bureau of Revenue Services with any information received from a municipality pursuant to this section within 14 days of the date the department receives that information.
SUBCHAPTER 5
OPERATING REQUIREMENTS FOR MARIJUANA ESTABLISHMENTS
§ 501. Operation of cultivation facilities
A cultivation facility must be operated in accordance with the provisions of this section and the rules adopted pursuant to this chapter.
(1) Must be conducted within a portion of the licensed premises of the nursery cultivation facility that is dedicated to consumer sales of immature marijuana plants, seedlings, marijuana seeds and agricultural or gardening supplies relating to the cultivation of marijuana. A nursery cultivation facility licensee shall ensure that the portion of the licensed premises of the nursery cultivation facility that is dedicated to consumer sales complies with all applicable requirements of this chapter and the rules adopted pursuant to this chapter concerning the operation of marijuana stores; and
(2) Are subject to the sales tax imposed pursuant to Title 36, section 1811 and must be collected and remitted as required by subsection 9.
(1) Cultivation-related and noncultivation-related equipment, except that cultivation-related equipment may not be simultaneously used for the cultivation of adult use marijuana and the cultivation of marijuana for medical use;
(2) Cultivation-related and noncultivation-related supplies or products not containing marijuana or marijuana products and the storage areas for those supplies or products; and
(3) General office space, bathrooms, entryways and walkways.
§ 502. Operation of products manufacturing facilities
A products manufacturing facility must be operated in accordance with the provisions of this section and the rules adopted pursuant to this chapter.
(1) Manufacturing-related and nonmanufacturing-related equipment, except that manufacturing-related equipment may not be simultaneously used for the manufacturing of adult use marijuana and adult use marijuana products and the manufacturing of marijuana concentrate and marijuana products for medical use;
(2) Manufacturing-related and nonmanufacturing-related supplies or products not containing marijuana or marijuana products and the storage areas for those supplies or products; and
(3) General office space, bathrooms, entryways and walkways.
(1) The solvent or other chemical or chemical process is listed by the department by rule as approved for use in marijuana extraction; or
(2) The products manufacturing facility licensee requests and obtains from the department written approval to engage in marijuana extraction using a solvent or other chemical or chemical process that is not and does not involve an inherently hazardous substance and that is not listed by the department by rule as approved for use in marijuana extraction.
The department shall adopt by rule a list of those solvents or other chemicals or chemical processes that are not and do not contain an inherently hazardous substance that the department approves for use in marijuana extraction by products manufacturing facilities.
(1) The licensee submits to the department a request for approval of the marijuana extraction method the facility plans to engage in that includes a description of the proposed marijuana extraction method and a certification from an industrial hygienist or professional engineer following a review of the facility's storage, preparation, electrical, gas monitoring, fire suppression and exhaust systems; and
(2) The department approves in writing the proposed marijuana extraction method.
The department, within 14 days of receipt of a request for approval under this paragraph, shall notify the products manufacturing facility licensee in writing whether the request is approved or denied.
§ 503. Operation of testing facilities
A testing facility must be operated in accordance with the provisions of this section and the rules adopted pursuant to this chapter.
Neither this chapter nor the rules adopted pursuant to this chapter prevent a testing facility from developing, researching or testing substances that are not marijuana or marijuana products for that facility or for another person.
(1) The department may issue a full testing facility license to an applicant that meets all applicable requirements of this chapter and rules adopted pursuant to this chapter and that has obtained accreditation pursuant to standard ISO/IEC 17025 of the International Organization for Standardization from a 3rd-party accrediting body or that is certified, registered or accredited by an approved organization.
(2) The department may issue a provisional testing facility license to an applicant that otherwise meets all applicable requirements of this chapter and rules adopted pursuant to this chapter and that has applied for but not yet obtained accreditation from a 3rd-party accrediting body or that has applied for but not yet obtained certification, registration or accreditation from an approved organization. The department may not renew a provisional testing facility license more than once.
An active full or provisional testing facility license may not be issued by the department to an applicant until the applicant satisfies all applicable requirements of section 205, subsection 4; and
§ 504. Operation of marijuana stores
A marijuana store must be operated in accordance with the provisions of this section and the rules adopted pursuant to this chapter.
(1) An automated dispensing or vending machine;
(2) A drive-through sales window;
(3) An Internet-based sales platform; or
(4) A delivery service; or
(1) A common roof and a common entryway from the outside of the building;
(2) General office space, bathrooms, walkways and storage space for products and supplies that do not contain marijuana or marijuana products; and
(3) Common access areas or doorways accessible only by the licensee and the employees of the licensee that allow the licensee and employees to travel between those areas.
§ 505. Operation of marijuana social clubs
A marijuana social club must be operated in accordance with the provisions of this section and the rules adopted pursuant to this chapter.
(1) A common roof and a common entryway from the outside of the building;
(2) General office space, bathrooms, walkways and storage space for products and supplies that do not contain marijuana or marijuana products; and
(3) Common access areas or doorways accessible only by the licensee and the employees of the licensee that allow the licensee and employees to travel between those areas.
§ 506. Transportation of adult use marijuana and adult use marijuana products
A licensee and its employees may transport adult use marijuana and adult use marijuana products between the licensed premises of the licensee and the licensed premises of any other marijuana establishment. All transportation of adult use marijuana and adult use marijuana products must be documented by the licensee or the employee of the licensee in accordance with rules adopted by the department. The department shall adopt rules regarding the transportation of adult use marijuana and adult use marijuana products by licensees under this chapter.
§ 507. Employment of persons under 21 years of age prohibited
A licensee may not employ any person under 21 years of age.
§ 508. Use of adult use marijuana and adult use marijuana products within licensed premises
§ 509. License to be conspicuously displayed
A licensee shall ensure that the licensee's license, or a copy of that license, is at all times conspicuously displayed within its licensed premises, including, but not limited to, in all restricted access areas and limited access areas.
§ 510. Limited access areas
A person may not enter or remain in any limited access area unless the person displays an individual identification card issued by the department pursuant to section 106. A licensee shall ensure that all areas of ingress and egress to limited access areas within the licensed premises are conspicuously marked and that a person is not allowed to enter or remain in any limited access area without displaying the person's individual identification card issued by the department pursuant to section 106.
§ 511. Record keeping and inspection of records; audits
§ 512. Inspection of licensed premises; testing and sampling for product quality control
§ 513. Licensee compliance with regulatory requirements
A licensee, as a condition of licensure under this chapter, shall comply with all applicable provisions of this chapter and all applicable provisions of the rules adopted pursuant to this chapter.
SUBCHAPTER 6
TESTING OF MARIJUANA AND MARIJUANA PRODUCTS
§ 601. Testing program established
The Department of Agriculture, Conservation and Forestry, after consultation with the department, shall establish a testing program for adult use marijuana and adult use marijuana products. Except as otherwise provided in this subchapter, the program must require a licensee, prior to selling or distributing adult use marijuana or an adult use marijuana product to a consumer or to another licensee, to submit the marijuana or marijuana product to a testing facility for testing to ensure that the marijuana or marijuana product does not exceed the maximum level of allowable contamination for any contaminant that is injurious to health and for which testing is required and to ensure correct labeling. The Department of Agriculture, Conservation and Forestry shall adopt rules establishing a testing program pursuant to this section, rules identifying the types of contaminants that are injurious to health for which marijuana and marijuana products must be tested under this subchapter and rules regarding the maximum level of allowable contamination for each contaminant. Rules adopted pursuant to this subchapter are routine technical rules as defined in Title 5, chapter 375, subchapter 2-A.
§ 602. Mandatory testing
A licensee may not sell or distribute adult use marijuana or an adult use marijuana product to a consumer or to another licensee under this chapter unless the marijuana or marijuana product has been tested pursuant to this subchapter and the rules adopted pursuant to this subchapter and that mandatory testing has demonstrated that the marijuana or marijuana product does not exceed the maximum level of allowable contamination for any contaminant that is injurious to health and for which testing is required.
The Department of Agriculture, Conservation and Forestry may, after consultation with the department, temporarily waive mandatory testing requirements under this section for any contaminant or factor for which the Department of Agriculture, Conservation and Forestry has determined that there exists no licensed testing facility in the State capable of and certified to perform such testing.
§ 603. Notification requirements
§ 604. Sampling for testing
If a test to be performed by a testing facility is a mandatory test under section 602, an employee or designee of the testing facility must perform the sampling required for the test. If a test to be performed by a testing facility is not a mandatory test, the owner of the marijuana or marijuana product, or a designee of the owner, may perform the sampling required for the test.
§ 605. Additional testing not required
Notwithstanding section 602, a licensee may sell or furnish to a consumer or to another licensee adult use marijuana or an adult use marijuana product that the licensee has not submitted for testing in accordance with this subchapter and rules adopted pursuant to this subchapter if:
§ 606. Coordination with testing program and rules for marijuana and marijuana products for medical use
In adopting rules and regulating the testing of adult use marijuana and adult use marijuana products under this subchapter, the Department of Agriculture, Conservation and Forestry shall consult and coordinate with the Department of Health and Human Services to ensure that, when necessary and practicable, the regulation of the testing of adult use marijuana and adult use marijuana products under this subchapter is consistent with the regulation of the testing of marijuana and marijuana products for medical use under the Maine Medical Use of Marijuana Act.
SUBCHAPTER 7
LABELING AND PACKAGING; SIGNS, ADVERTISING AND MARKETING; HEALTH AND SAFETY
§ 701. Labeling and packaging
(1) The amount of marijuana concentrate per serving of the product, as measured in grams, and the amount of marijuana concentrate per package of the product, as measured in grams;
(2) A list of ingredients and possible allergens; and
(3) A recommended use date or expiration date;
§ 702. Signs, advertising and marketing
§ 703. Other health and safety requirements and restrictions; rules
(1) Toxic or harmful to human beings;
(2) Specifically designed to make the product more addictive or that are misleading to consumers; or
(3) Specifically designed to make the product appeal particularly to a person under 21 years of age; and
SUBCHAPTER 8
LICENSE VIOLATIONS; PENALTIES
§ 801. Department may impose penalty on licensee for license violation; Maine Administrative Procedure Act applies
The department, on its own initiative or on complaint and after investigation, notice and the opportunity for a public hearing, by written order may impose a monetary penalty on a licensee or suspend or revoke the licensee's license for a violation by the licensee or by an agent or employee of the licensee of the provisions of this chapter, the rules adopted pursuant to this chapter or the terms, conditions or provisions of the licensee's license.
§ 802. Penalties
(1) Not more than $10,000 per minor license violation;
(2) Except as provided in subparagraph (3), not more than $50,000 per major license violation; and
(3) Not more than $100,000 per major license violation affecting public safety.
§ 803. Disposition of unauthorized marijuana or marijuana products of licensee
§ 804. Rules
The department shall adopt rules governing the imposition of monetary penalties, suspensions and revocations under this subchapter, which must include, but are not limited to, provisions relating to notice and conduct of hearings consistent with the Maine Administrative Procedure Act and provisions relating to the disposition of unauthorized marijuana and marijuana products of a licensee.
SUBCHAPTER 9
MARIJUANA ADVISORY COMMISSION
§ 901. Establishment
The Marijuana Advisory Commission, established by Title 5, section 12004-I, subsection 52-C and referred to in this subchapter as "the commission," is created for the purpose of conducting a continuing study of the laws relating to marijuana and reporting to the Legislature its findings and recommendations on an annual basis.
§ 902. Membership; chairs; terms; vacancies; quorum
(1) Two members of the Senate, including members from each of the 2 parties holding the largest number of seats in the Legislature;
(2) A representative of a statewide association of health care professionals;
(3) A representative of a statewide association representing the medical marijuana industry; and
(4) A member of the public; and
(1) Two members of the House of Representatives, including members from each of the 2 parties holding the largest number of seats in the Legislature;
(2) A representative of a statewide association representing municipalities;
(3) A representative of a statewide association representing the adult use marijuana industry; and
(4) A member of the public.
§ 903. Duties
§ 904. Organization; staffing; consultation
§ 905. Reimbursement of expenses
Members of the commission must be compensated in accordance with Title 5, chapter 379.
SUBCHAPTER 10
EXCISE TAX ON ADULT USE MARIJUANA
§ 1001. Excise tax imposed
Beginning on the first day of the calendar month in which adult use marijuana may be sold in the State by a cultivation facility under this chapter, an excise tax on adult use marijuana is imposed in accordance with this subchapter.
§ 1002. Collection and payment of excise tax
§ 1003. Application of excise tax revenue
All excise tax revenue collected by the department pursuant to this subchapter on the sale of adult use marijuana must be deposited into the General Fund, except that, on or before the last day of each month, the department shall:
SUBCHAPTER 11
ADULT USE MARIJUANA PUBLIC HEALTH AND SAFETY FUND; ADULT USE MARIJUANA REGULATORY COORDINATION FUND
§ 1101. Adult Use Marijuana Public Health and Safety Fund
The Adult Use Marijuana Public Health and Safety Fund, referred to in this section as "the fund," is established as a dedicated, nonlapsing fund within the department for the purposes specified in this section.
§ 1102. Adult Use Marijuana Regulatory Coordination Fund
The Adult Use Marijuana Regulatory Coordination Fund, referred to in this section as "the fund," is established as a dedicated, nonlapsing Other Special Revenue Funds account in the department. The fund is administered and used by the commissioner for the purposes of adopting rules as required by this chapter by the department and by any other department of State Government that is authorized to adopt rules under this chapter and for the purposes of implementing, administering and enforcing this chapter. The commissioner may expend money in the fund to enter into contracts with consultants and employ staff, as determined necessary by the commissioner, conduct meetings with stakeholders and conduct any other activities related to the implementation, administration and enforcement of this chapter.
CHAPTER 3
PERSONAL USE OF MARIJUANA AND MARIJUANA PRODUCTS; HOME CULTIVATION OF MARIJUANA FOR PERSONAL ADULT USE
§ 1501. Personal use of marijuana and marijuana products
For the purposes of this subsection, "remuneration" includes a donation or any other monetary payment received directly or indirectly by a person in exchange for goods or services as part of a transaction in which marijuana or marijuana products are transferred or furnished by that person to another person.
(1) In a private residence, including curtilage; or
(2) On private property, not generally accessible by the public, and the person is explicitly permitted to consume marijuana or marijuana products on the property by the owner of the property.
(1) If that person is the operator of a vehicle on a public way or is a passenger in the vehicle. As used in this subparagraph, "vehicle" has the same meaning as in Title 29-A, section 101, subsection 91;
(2) In a private residence or on private property used as a day care or baby-sitting service during the hours in which the residence or property is being operated as a day care or baby-sitting service;
(3) By means of smoking the marijuana or marijuana product in a designated smoking area as provided under the Workplace Smoking Act of 1985; or
(4) By means of smoking the marijuana or marijuana product in a public place or in a public area where smoking is prohibited under Title 22, chapter 262.
§ 1502. Home cultivation of marijuana for personal adult use
The provisions of this section apply to the home cultivation of marijuana for personal adult use by a person 21 years of age or older, but do not apply to the cultivation of marijuana for medical use by a qualifying patient, a primary caregiver, a registered primary caregiver or a registered dispensary pursuant to the Maine Medical Use of Marijuana Act.
§ 1503. Home extraction of marijuana concentrate by use of inherently hazardous substance prohibited
Except as authorized under section 502, subsection 7 or pursuant to the Maine Medical Use of Marijuana Act, a person may not manufacture marijuana concentrate using an inherently hazardous substance and an owner of a property or a parcel or tract of land may not intentionally or knowingly allow another person to manufacture marijuana concentrate using an inherently hazardous substance within or on that property or land.
§ 1504. Violations; penalties
Except as provided in section 1501, subsection 2, a person who violates any provision of this chapter is subject to forfeiture or seizure of any unauthorized marijuana, marijuana products or marijuana plants and is subject to any additional criminal or civil penalties that may be imposed pursuant to other applicable laws or rules.
Sec. A-7. Transfer of funds; Adult Use Marijuana Regulatory Coordination Fund. Notwithstanding any other provision of law to the contrary, the State Controller, no later than 5 days after the effective date of this Act, shall transfer the balance of the Retail Marijuana Regulatory Coordination Fund in the Department of Administrative and Financial Services to the Adult Use Marijuana Regulatory Coordination Fund in the Department of Administrative and Financial Services.
Sec. A-8. Department of Administrative and Financial Services; major substantive rulemaking. On or before March 15, 2018, the Department of Administrative and Financial Services provisionally shall adopt and submit to the Legislature for review rules related to the Marijuana Legalization Act established pursuant to the Maine Revised Statutes, Title 28-B, chapter 1.
Sec. A-9. Department of Agriculture, Conservation and Forestry; major substantive rulemaking. On or before March 15, 2018, the Department of Agriculture, Conservation and Forestry provisionally shall adopt and submit to the Legislature for review rules related to the Marijuana Legalization Act established pursuant to the Maine Revised Statutes, Title 28-B, chapter 1.
Sec. A-10. Department of Administrative and Financial Services; acceptance and processing of applications. No later than 30 days after the final adoption of rules by the Department of Administrative and Financial Services pursuant to the authority granted in the Marijuana Legalization Act established pursuant to the Maine Revised Statutes, Title 28-B, chapter 1, the department shall begin accepting and processing applications for licenses to operate marijuana establishments under the Marijuana Legalization Act.
Sec. A-11. Department of Administrative and Financial Services; time frame for action on applications. Notwithstanding the Maine Revised Statutes, Title 28-B, section 205, subsection 3, the Department of Administrative and Financial Services may take longer than 90 days to act on any application for a license to operate a marijuana establishment under the Marijuana Legalization Act established pursuant to Title 28-B, chapter 1 that is received by the department during the period between the date that the department first begins accepting and processing applications under the Marijuana Legalization Act and 6 months from that date.
PART B
Sec. B-1. 17-A MRSA §1111-A, sub-§1, as corrected by RR 2015, c. 1, §11, is amended to read:
(1) Metal, wooden, acrylic, glass, stone, plastic or ceramic pipes with or without screens, permanent screens, hashish heads or punctured metal bowls;
(2) Water pipes;
(3) Carburetion tubes and devices;
(4) Smoking and carburetion masks;
(5) Roach clips, meaning objects used to hold burning material, such as a marijuana cigarette that has become too small or too short to be held in the hand;
(6) Miniature cocaine spoons and cocaine vials;
(7) Chamber pipes;
(8) Carburetor pipes;
(9) Electric pipes;
(10) Air-driven pipes;
(11) Chillums;
(12) Bongs; or
(13) Ice pipes or chillers.
Sec. B-2. 25 MRSA §1542-A, sub-§1, ¶O is enacted to read:
Sec. B-3. 25 MRSA §1542-A, sub-§3, ¶N is enacted to read:
Sec. B-4. 25 MRSA §1542-A, sub-§4, as amended by PL 2017, c. 253, §4 and c. 258, Pt. B, §4, is repealed and the following enacted in its place:
PART C
Sec. C-1. 30-A MRSA §4452, sub-§5, ¶U, as corrected by RR 2007, c. 2, §17, is amended to read:
Sec. C-2. 30-A MRSA §4452, sub-§5, ¶V, as reallocated by RR 2007, c. 2, §18, is amended to read:
Sec. C-3. 30-A MRSA §4452, sub-§5, ¶W is enacted to read:
Sec. C-4. 30-A MRSA §7063 is enacted to read:
§ 7063. Adult use marijuana
A plantation has the same powers and duties, and is subject to the same restrictions and requirements, as a municipality under section 4452, subsection 5, paragraph W and under Title 28-B, chapters 1 and 3.
PART D
Sec. D-1. 36 MRSA §1752, sub-§§1-I, 1-J, 6-D, 6-E, 6-F and 8-E are enacted to read:
Sec. D-2. 36 MRSA §1811, first ¶, as amended by PL 2015, c. 267, Pt. OOOO, §5 and affected by §7, is further amended to read:
A tax is imposed on the value of all tangible personal property, products transferred electronically and taxable services sold at retail in this State. The rate of tax is 7% on the value of liquor sold in licensed establishments as defined in Title 28-A, section 2, subsection 15, in accordance with Title 28-A, chapter 43; 7% on the value of rental of living quarters in any hotel, rooming house or tourist or trailer camp; 10% on the value of rental for a period of less than one year of an automobile, of a pickup truck or van with a gross vehicle weight of less than 26,000 pounds rented from a person primarily engaged in the business of renting automobiles or of a loaner vehicle that is provided other than to a motor vehicle dealer's service customers pursuant to a manufacturer’s or dealer’s warranty; 7% on the value of prepared food; and 5% on the value of all other tangible personal property and taxable services and products transferred electronically. Notwithstanding the other provisions of this section, from October 1, 2013 to December 31, 2015, the rate of tax is 8% on the value of rental of living quarters in any hotel, rooming house or tourist or trailer camp; 8% on the value of prepared food; 8% on the value of liquor sold in licensed establishments as defined in Title 28-A, section 2, subsection 15, in accordance with Title 28-A, chapter 43; and 5.5% on the value of all other tangible personal property and taxable services and products transferred electronically. Notwithstanding the other provisions of this section, beginning January 1, 2016, the rate of tax is 9% on the value of rental of living quarters in any hotel, rooming house or tourist or trailer camp; 8% on the value of prepared food; 8% on the value of liquor sold in licensed establishments as defined in Title 28-A, section 2, subsection 15, in accordance with Title 28-A, chapter 43; and 5.5% on the value of all other tangible personal property and taxable services and products transferred electronically. Notwithstanding the other provisions of this section, beginning on the first day of the calendar month in which adult use marijuana and adult use marijuana products may be sold in the State by a marijuana establishment licensed to conduct retail sales pursuant to Title 28-B, chapter 1, the rate of tax is 10% on the value of adult use marijuana and adult use marijuana products. Value is measured by the sale price, except as otherwise provided. The value of rental for a period of less than one year of an automobile or of a pickup truck or van with a gross vehicle weight of less than 26,000 pounds rented from a person primarily engaged in the business of renting automobiles is the total rental charged to the lessee and includes, but is not limited to, maintenance and service contracts, drop-off or pick-up fees, airport surcharges, mileage fees and any separately itemized charges on the rental agreement to recover the owner’s estimated costs of the charges imposed by government authority for title fees, inspection fees, local excise tax and agent fees on all vehicles in its rental fleet registered in the State. All fees must be disclosed when an estimated quote is provided to the lessee.
Sec. D-3. 36 MRSA §1817, as amended by PL 2017, c. 1, §21, is repealed.
Sec. D-4. 36 MRSA §1818 is enacted to read:
§ 1818. Tax on adult use marijuana and adult use marijuana products
All sales tax revenue collected pursuant to section 1811 on the sale of adult use marijuana and adult use marijuana products must be deposited into the General Fund, except that, on or before the last day of each month, the State Controller shall:
PART E
Sec. E-1. Appropriations and allocations. The following appropriations and allocations are made.
ADMINISTRATIVE AND FINANCIAL SERVICES, DEPARTMENT OF
Adult Use Marijuana Public Health and Safety Fund N270
Initiative: Allocates 12% of marijuana sales tax revenue to facilitate public health and safety awareness and education programs, initiatives, campaigns and activities and enhanced law enforcement training programs for local, county and state law enforcement officers.
OTHER SPECIAL REVENUE FUNDS | 2017-18 | 2018-19 |
All Other
|
$0 | $294,445 |
OTHER SPECIAL REVENUE FUNDS TOTAL | $0 | $294,445 |
Adult Use Marijuana Public Health and Safety Fund N270
Initiative: Provides allocations for training costs for the Maine Criminal Justice Academy related to marijuana enforcement issues.
OTHER SPECIAL REVENUE FUNDS | 2017-18 | 2018-19 |
All Other
|
$0 | $145,000 |
OTHER SPECIAL REVENUE FUNDS TOTAL | $0 | $145,000 |
Adult Use Marijuana Regulatory Coordination Fund N271
Initiative: Provides funding for one Public Service Manager II position, one Secretary Specialist position, 4 Public Service Coordinator I positions, 4 Marijuana Enforcement Officer positions, one Marijuana Tax Auditor position and 3 Office Associate positions.
GENERAL FUND | 2017-18 | 2018-19 |
POSITIONS - LEGISLATIVE COUNT
|
14.000 | 14.000 |
Personal Services
|
$172,815 | $1,084,225 |
GENERAL FUND TOTAL | $172,815 | $1,084,225 |
Adult Use Marijuana Regulatory Coordination Fund N271
Initiative: Provides funding for 2 Planning and Research Associate I positions, 6 Marijuana Enforcement Officer positions, 2 Marijuana Tax Auditor positions and 2 Office Associate II positions.
GENERAL FUND | 2017-18 | 2018-19 |
POSITIONS - LEGISLATIVE COUNT
|
0.000 | 12.000 |
Personal Services
|
$0 | $900,000 |
GENERAL FUND TOTAL | $0 | $900,000 |
Adult Use Marijuana Regulatory Coordination Fund N271
Initiative: Provides funding for All Other costs.
OTHER SPECIAL REVENUE FUNDS | 2017-18 | 2018-19 |
All Other
|
$175,000 | $600,000 |
OTHER SPECIAL REVENUE FUNDS TOTAL | $175,000 | $600,000 |
Adult Use Marijuana Regulatory Coordination Fund N271
Initiative: Provides funding for tracking and traceability system and licensing system software.
GENERAL FUND | 2017-18 | 2018-19 |
All Other
|
$550,000 | $0 |
GENERAL FUND TOTAL | $550,000 | $0 |
Revenue Services, Bureau of 0002
Initiative: Provides an allocation to remit a portion of the marijuana sales tax revenue to municipalities.
OTHER SPECIAL REVENUE FUNDS | 2017-18 | 2018-19 |
All Other
|
$0 | $125,795 |
OTHER SPECIAL REVENUE FUNDS TOTAL | $0 | $125,795 |
Revenue Services, Bureau of 0002
Initiative: Provides funding for 2 Tax Examiner positions and related programming and All Other costs to process and audit income tax filings.
GENERAL FUND | 2017-18 | 2018-19 |
POSITIONS - LEGISLATIVE COUNT
|
0.000 | 2.000 |
Personal Services
|
$0 | $151,272 |
All Other
|
$0 | $443,261 |
GENERAL FUND TOTAL | $0 | $594,533 |
ADMINISTRATIVE AND FINANCIAL SERVICES, DEPARTMENT OF | ||
DEPARTMENT TOTALS | 2017-18 | 2018-19 |
GENERAL FUND
|
$722,815 | $2,578,758 |
OTHER SPECIAL REVENUE FUNDS
|
$175,000 | $1,165,240 |
DEPARTMENT TOTAL - ALL FUNDS | $897,815 | $3,743,998 |
AGRICULTURE, CONSERVATION AND FORESTRY, DEPARTMENT OF
Adult Use Marijuana Regulatory Coordination Fund N271
Initiative: Provides funding for one Public Service Manager II position and 6 Consumer Protection Inspector positions.
GENERAL FUND | 2017-18 | 2018-19 |
POSITIONS - LEGISLATIVE COUNT
|
7.000 | 7.000 |
Personal Services
|
$94,568 | $595,481 |
GENERAL FUND TOTAL | $94,568 | $595,481 |
Adult Use Marijuana Regulatory Coordination Fund N271
Initiative: Provides funding for one Public Service Coordinator I position, one Planning and Research Associate II position, 2 Office Associate II positions and one Chemist II position.
OTHER SPECIAL REVENUE FUNDS | 2017-18 | 2018-19 |
POSITIONS - LEGISLATIVE COUNT
|
0.000 | 5.000 |
Personal Services
|
$0 | $407,319 |
OTHER SPECIAL REVENUE FUNDS TOTAL | $0 | $407,319 |
Adult Use Marijuana Regulatory Coordination Fund N271
Initiative: Provides funding for All Other costs.
OTHER SPECIAL REVENUE FUNDS | 2017-18 | 2018-19 |
All Other
|
$25,000 | $100,000 |
OTHER SPECIAL REVENUE FUNDS TOTAL | $25,000 | $100,000 |
AGRICULTURE, CONSERVATION AND FORESTRY, DEPARTMENT OF | ||
DEPARTMENT TOTALS | 2017-18 | 2018-19 |
GENERAL FUND
|
$94,568 | $595,481 |
OTHER SPECIAL REVENUE FUNDS
|
$25,000 | $507,319 |
DEPARTMENT TOTAL - ALL FUNDS | $119,568 | $1,102,800 |
INDIGENT LEGAL SERVICES, MAINE COMMISSION ON
Maine Commission on Indigent Legal Services Z112
Initiative: Adjusts funding to reflect an estimated decrease of $50,000 in fiscal year 2017-18 and a decrease of $75,000 annually thereafter to reflect fewer cases of assigned counsel related to marijuana offenses.
GENERAL FUND | 2017-18 | 2018-19 |
All Other
|
($50,000) | ($75,000) |
GENERAL FUND TOTAL | ($50,000) | ($75,000) |
INDIGENT LEGAL SERVICES, MAINE COMMISSION ON | ||
DEPARTMENT TOTALS | 2017-18 | 2018-19 |
GENERAL FUND
|
($50,000) | ($75,000) |
DEPARTMENT TOTAL - ALL FUNDS | ($50,000) | ($75,000) |
PUBLIC SAFETY, DEPARTMENT OF
State Police 0291
Initiative: Provides funding for one Identification Specialist II position and related costs to process criminal history background checks for marijuana establishment operators.
GENERAL FUND | 2017-18 | 2018-19 |
POSITIONS - LEGISLATIVE COUNT
|
0.000 | 1.000 |
Personal Services
|
$0 | $42,135 |
All Other
|
$0 | $1,566 |
GENERAL FUND TOTAL | $0 | $43,701 |
HIGHWAY FUND | 2017-18 | 2018-19 |
Personal Services
|
$0 | $22,688 |
All Other
|
$0 | $1,274 |
HIGHWAY FUND TOTAL | $0 | $23,962 |
PUBLIC SAFETY, DEPARTMENT OF | ||
DEPARTMENT TOTALS | 2017-18 | 2018-19 |
GENERAL FUND
|
$0 | $43,701 |
HIGHWAY FUND
|
$0 | $23,962 |
DEPARTMENT TOTAL - ALL FUNDS | $0 | $67,663 |
SECTION TOTALS | 2017-18 | 2018-19 |
GENERAL FUND
|
$767,383 | $3,142,940 |
HIGHWAY FUND
|
$0 | $23,962 |
OTHER SPECIAL REVENUE FUNDS
|
$200,000 | $1,672,559 |
SECTION TOTAL - ALL FUNDS | $967,383 | $4,839,461 |
Emergency clause. In view of the emergency cited in the preamble, this legislation takes effect when approved.
SUMMARY
This bill, which is an emergency bill and is reported out by the Joint Select Committee on Marijuana Legalization Implementation pursuant to Joint Order 2017, H.P. 96, implements the recommendations of the committee regarding the development and administration of a regulated marketplace in the State for adult use marijuana and the regulation of the personal use of marijuana and the home cultivation of marijuana for personal adult use pursuant to the Marijuana Legalization Act, as approved by the voters at referendum in November 2016.
This Part repeals the Marijuana Legalization Act, as codified in the Maine Revised Statutes, Title 7, chapter 417, and recodifies it as the Marijuana Legalization Act, referred to in this summary as "the Act," in a new Title 28-B, Adult Use Marijuana, while retaining the substance of the original Act with the following changes.
1. The term "adult use marijuana" is used instead of the term "retail marijuana."
2. It clarifies the distinction between and provides definitions for the terms "marijuana plant," "mature marijuana plant," "immature marijuana plant" and "seedling."
3. It clarifies that any conduct relating to the possession, cultivation, manufacture, testing, consumption, sale or offering for sale of marijuana or marijuana products that is not specifically authorized under the Act, pursuant to a license issued under the Act or pursuant to the Maine Medical Use of Marijuana Act is not authorized and that a person who engages in such unauthorized conduct is subject to penalties under the Act and any additional criminal or civil penalties that may be imposed under other applicable laws or rules.
4. It retains the division of regulatory authority regarding the regulation of adult use marijuana enacted as Public Law 2017, chapter 278, whereby the Department of Administrative and Financial Services, referred to in this summary as "the department," is designated as the primary regulatory authority in the implementation, administration and enforcement of the Act, with the Department of Agriculture, Conservation and Forestry retaining regulatory authority concerning the cultivation, manufacture, testing, packaging and labeling of adult use marijuana and adult use marijuana products.
5. It further clarifies the roles and authorities, including the respective rule-making authorities, of the department and the Department of Agriculture, Conservation and Forestry in the implementation, administration and enforcement of the Act and provides for the provisional adoption of major substantive rules pursuant to the Act by each department and the submission of those rules to the Legislature for review pursuant to the Maine Administrative Procedure Act on or before March 15, 2018.
6. It requires the department to implement and administer a tracking system for adult use marijuana from immature marijuana plant to the point of retail sale, disposal or destruction.
7. It requires the department to facilitate the collection and analysis of public health and safety data relating to the effects of the use of marijuana in the State.
8. It requires the department to facilitate the development and implementation of programs, initiatives and campaigns focused on increasing the awareness of and educating the public on health and safety matters relating to the use of marijuana and marijuana products. Such programs, initiatives and campaigns may be funded with a portion of the excise tax and sales tax revenues resulting from the sale of adult use marijuana and adult use marijuana products.
9. It requires the department to facilitate the development and implementation of programs or initiatives providing enhanced training for criminal justice agencies in the requirements and enforcement of the Act. Such programs and initiatives may be funded with a portion of the excise tax and sales tax revenues resulting from the sale of adult use marijuana and adult use marijuana products.
10. It requires the department and the Department of Agriculture, Conservation and Forestry to submit to the Legislature an annual report, beginning February 15, 2019, which must include specific information and data relating to the regulated market for adult use marijuana in the State.
11. It implements a moratorium on the issuance of adult use marijuana social club licenses until June 1, 2019 but provides for the regulation of licensed adult use marijuana social clubs after that date.
12. It removes from the former Marijuana Legalization Act provisions relating to the issuance of occupational licenses.
13. It clarifies general licensing criteria for applicants seeking to operate an adult use marijuana establishment, which include a 2-year residency requirement and specific additional licensing requirements applicable to the licensing of adult use marijuana cultivation facilities. It removes from the former Marijuana Legalization Act provisions relating to preference in licensure for medical marijuana caregivers and medical marijuana dispensaries. It removes from the former Marijuana Legalization Act the caps on the number of each license type that may be issued, except that:
14. It separates within the Act the state-level and municipal-level licensing and approval processes for adult use marijuana establishments. An applicant for a license to operate an adult use marijuana establishment must submit an application along with the required application fee to the department, which, after review, conditionally may approve the license. The licensee may then seek municipal authorization from the municipality in which the licensee proposes to operate the marijuana establishment. A municipality, which includes towns, cities and plantations, by adopted ordinance may regulate marijuana establishments within the municipality, including, but not limited to, through the adoption of:
A municipality may not authorize the operation of a marijuana establishment within the municipality unless the legislative body of the municipality has voted to generally authorize some or all types of marijuana establishments within the municipality, including that type of marijuana establishment. A person that has been issued a conditional license by the department may not request municipal authorization to operate a marijuana establishment within a municipality unless the legislative body of the municipality has voted to generally authorize some or all types of marijuana establishments within the municipality, including that type of marijuana establishment. Once the department receives certification of municipal authorization and the applicant pays the applicable license fee and submits any additional required documentation, the department must issue an active license, good for a term of one year from the date of issuance. A licensee may not engage in the cultivation, manufacture, testing, sale or offering for sale of marijuana or marijuana products until the licensee has been issued an active license by the department.
15. It revises and clarifies the application process for issuance and renewal of a state license to operate an adult use marijuana establishment, including revision of the application and license fees to be imposed by the department under the Act.
16. It revises the manner in which cultivation facilities are to be licensed and regulated by removing the statewide limitation on the total amount of licensed plant canopy and by authorizing 5 tiers of cultivation facility license types, the smallest of which, a tier 1 license, provides for the cultivation of up to 30 mature marijuana plants or up to 500 square feet of plant canopy and the largest of which, a tier 4 license, provides for the cultivation of up to 30,000 square feet of plant canopy. It also creates a nursery cultivation facility license tier, which allows for the cultivation of immature plants, seedlings and seeds and the sale of those immature plants, seedlings and seeds to other licensees and to consumers. A licensee seeking renewal of a tier 4 license may seek approval from the department to expand the area of plant canopy authorized under the license by 10,000 square feet, so long as certain criteria are met.
17. It clarifies operational requirements for each type of adult use marijuana establishment, including:
18. It clarifies and expands upon the standards and requirements for the testing of adult use marijuana and adult use marijuana products; the packaging, labeling and health and safety of adult use marijuana and adult use marijuana products; and the use of signs, advertising and marketing relating to adult use marijuana and adult use marijuana products.
19. It provides for the imposition by the department of monetary penalties on a licensee or suspensions or revocations of a licensee's license for a violation of the Act, in accordance with the Maine Administrative Procedure Act, and limits the amount of such monetary penalties imposed to not more than $10,000 per minor license violation, not more than $50,000 per major license violation and not more than $100,000 per major license violation affecting public safety.
20. It establishes the Marijuana Advisory Commission for the purpose of conducting a continuing study of the laws relating to marijuana and reporting to the Legislature its findings and recommendations on an annual basis.
21. It imposes an excise tax on adult use marijuana to be paid by cultivation facilities on adult use marijuana sold to other licensees. The excise tax is imposed in the following amounts:
22. It provides that a cultivation facility licensee monthly must pay directly to the municipality in which the cultivation facility is located 5% of the excise tax payments required under the Act during the prior month. All other revenue resulting from the imposition of the excise tax on adult use marijuana under the Act must be deposited into the General Fund, except that:
23. It establishes the Adult Use Marijuana Public Health and Safety Fund, which is primarily funded through dedicated excise and sales tax revenue from the sale of adult use marijuana and adult use marijuana products, to be used by the department to facilitate public health and safety awareness and education programs, initiatives, campaigns and activities and enhanced law enforcement training programs for local, county and state law enforcement officers.
24. It eliminates the Retail Marijuana Regulatory Coordination Fund, which was created and funded through the enactment of Public Law 2017, chapter 278, and transfers its remaining balances to the new Adult Use Marijuana Regulatory Coordination Fund.
25. It affects the provisions of the former Marijuana Legalization Act relating to the personal use of marijuana and marijuana products and the home cultivation of marijuana for personal adult use as follows:
This Part provides that possession of drug paraphernalia, as prohibited under the Maine Revised Statutes, Title 17-A, section 1111-A, does not apply to drug paraphernalia relating to the adult use of marijuana by a person as authorized under the Act or to drug paraphernalia relating to the sale or offering for sale of marijuana by a licensed adult use marijuana store or adult use marijuana social club.
This Part also amends the law concerning the Department of Public Safety, Bureau of State Police, State Bureau of Identification as necessary for the State Police and the State Bureau of Identification to conduct criminal history record checks on applicants for a license to operate an adult use marijuana establishment and on other persons as required under the Act.
This Part amends the State's laws governing municipal powers and duties to provide that plantations have the same powers and duties as cities and towns under the Act.
This Part amends the tax laws as follows.
1. It provides for a 10% sales tax on adult use marijuana and adult use marijuana products to be imposed at the point of final sale to a consumer by a marijuana store or marijuana social club.
2. It stipulates that all the revenue resulting from the imposition of the sales tax on adult use marijuana and adult use marijuana products must be deposited into the General Fund, except that:
This Part adds an appropriations and allocations section.