‘An Act To Protect Liberty and Administer Justice in the Implementation and Enforcement of the Marijuana Legalization Act and To Replace the Term "Marijuana" with the Term "Cannabis" in the Maine Revised Statutes’
HP1199 LD 1719 |
Session - 128th Maine Legislature C "B", Filing Number H-734, Sponsored by
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LR 2805 Item 3 |
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Bill Tracking, Additional Documents | Chamber Status |
Amend the bill by striking out the title and substituting the following:
‘An Act To Protect Liberty and Administer Justice in the Implementation and Enforcement of the Marijuana Legalization Act and To Replace the Term "Marijuana" with the Term "Cannabis" in the Maine Revised Statutes’
Amend the bill by striking out everything after the enacting clause and before the emergency clause and inserting the following:
PART A
‘Sec. A-1. 5 MRSA §12004-I, sub-§§52-C and 52-D are enacted to read:
Judiciary: Marijuana | Marijuana Advisory Commission | Expenses Only | 7 MRSA §2460 |
Judiciary: Marijuana | Special Commission on Impaired Driving | Expenses Only | 7 MRSA §2459 |
Sec. A-2. 7 MRSA §2442, sub-§23-B is enacted to read:
Sec. A-3. 7 MRSA §2442, sub-§24-A is enacted to read:
Sec. A-4. 7 MRSA §2442, sub-§29, as enacted by IB 2015, c. 5, §1, is amended to read:
Sec. A-5. 7 MRSA §2442, sub-§41-A is enacted to read:
Sec. A-6. 7 MRSA §2442, sub-§46-A is enacted to read:
Sec. A-7. 7 MRSA §2443-A is enacted to read:
§ 2443-A. Unauthorized conduct
Except as otherwise provided in this chapter, in the rules adopted pursuant to this chapter or in the Maine Medical Use of Marijuana Act, or as specifically authorized pursuant to a license issued under this chapter, a person may not:
Sec. A-8. 7 MRSA §2444, sub-§2, as amended by PL 2017, c. 278, §4, is further amended to read:
Sec. A-9. 7 MRSA §2444, sub-§3, as enacted by PL 2017, c. 278, §4, is amended to read:
Sec. A-10. 7 MRSA §2445, first ¶, as amended by PL 2017, c. 309, §6, is further amended to read:
Beginning February 1, 2018, the The state licensing authority shall establish an independent testing and certification program for retail marijuana and retail marijuana products. Except as otherwise provided in this section, the program must require a retail marijuana licensee, prior to selling or furnishing retail marijuana or a retail marijuana product to a consumer or to another licensee, to submit the marijuana or marijuana product to a retail marijuana testing facility for testing pursuant to this section 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 state licensing authority, after consultation with the Commissioner of Agriculture, Conservation and Forestry , shall adopt rules identifying the types of contaminants that are injurious to health for which marijuana and marijuana products must be tested under this section and the maximum level of allowable contamination for each contaminant.
Sec. A-11. 7 MRSA §2445, sub-§§1 and 2, as amended by PL 2017, c. 309, §6, are further amended to read:
Sec. A-12. 7 MRSA §2446, sub-§2, as amended by PL 2017, c. 278, §6, is further amended to read:
Sec. A-13. 7 MRSA §2446, sub-§3, as enacted by IB 2015, c. 5, §1, is amended to read:
Sec. A-14. 7 MRSA §2446, sub-§5, as enacted by PL 2017, c. 1, §8, is repealed.
Sec. A-15. 7 MRSA §2447, first ¶, as amended by PL 2017, c. 1, §9, is further amended to read:
Beginning February 1, 2018, an An application for a license under the provisions of this chapter must be made to the state licensing authority on forms prepared and furnished by the state licensing authority and must set forth such information as the state licensing authority may require to enable the state licensing authority to determine whether a license should be granted. The information must include the name and address of the applicant and the names and addresses of the applicant's officers, directors or managers. Each application must be verified by the oath or affirmation of such person or persons as the state licensing authority may prescribe. The state licensing authority may issue a license to an applicant pursuant to this section upon completion of the applicable criminal history record check associated with the application. The license is conditioned upon municipal approval. An applicant is prohibited from operating a retail marijuana establishment or retail marijuana social club without state licensing authority and municipal approval. If the applicant does not receive municipal approval within one year from the date of state licensing authority approval, the license expires and may not be renewed. If an application is not approved by the municipality, the state licensing authority shall revoke the license.
Sec. A-16. 7 MRSA §2447, sub-§1, ¶H, as enacted by IB 2015, c. 5, §1, is amended to read:
Sec. A-17. 7 MRSA §2447, sub-§§5 and 6, as enacted by IB 2015, c. 5, §1, are repealed.
Sec. A-18. 7 MRSA §2448, as amended by PL 2017, c. 309, §§7 to 9, is further amended to read:
§ 2448. Classes of licenses; license provisions
For license classes authorized under this subsection, the state licensing authority shall ensure that the license privileges encourage competition with the unregulated recreational marijuana market and allow for small-scale cultivators or products manufacturers to have a streamlined application process for licenses that authorize retail sales directly to consumers. The state licensing authority shall adopt rules to facilitate Internet-based transactions by licensees under this chapter. The state licensing authority shall adopt rules to facilitate the provisions of this subsection. Rules adopted pursuant to this subsection are routine technical rules pursuant to Title 5, chapter 375, subchapter 2-A.
All retail marijuana and retail marijuana products sold at a licensed retail marijuana store must be packaged and labeled as required by rules of the state licensing authority and pursuant to section 2446, subsection 1. Notwithstanding the provisions of this section, a retail marijuana store licensee may also sell retail marijuana products that are prepackaged and labeled as required by rules of the state licensing authority and pursuant to section 2446, subsection 1.
(1) Prior to initiating a sale, the employee of the retail marijuana store making the sale shall verify that the purchaser has a valid government-issued identification card, or other acceptable identification, showing that the purchaser is 21 years of age or older. If a person under 21 years of age presents a fraudulent proof of age, any action relying on the fraudulent proof of age may not be grounds for the revocation or suspension of any license issued under this chapter.
(2) The state licensing authority shall adopt rules, which are routine technical rules as described in Title 5, chapter 375, subchapter 2-A, to prohibit certain signs, marketing and advertising, including but not limited to a prohibition on mass-market campaigns that have a high likelihood of reaching persons under 21 years of age.
These rules may include:
(a) A prohibition on health or physical benefit claims in advertising, merchandising and packaging;
(b) A prohibition on unsolicited advertising on the Internet;
(c) A prohibition on opt-in marketing that does not permit an easy and permanent opt-out feature; and
(d) A prohibition on marketing directed toward location-based devices, including but not limited to cellular phones, unless the marketing is a mobile device application installed on the device by the owner of the device who is 21 years of age or older and includes a permanent and easy opt-out feature.
(3) A magazine whose primary focus is marijuana or marijuana businesses may be sold only in a retail marijuana store or behind the counter in an establishment where persons under 21 years of age are present.
(4) A retail marijuana product may not contain an additive designed to make the product more appealing to children.
(5) Notwithstanding any other provision of state law, sales of retail marijuana and retail marijuana products are not exempt from state sales tax.
(6) Nothing in this chapter may be construed to limit a law enforcement agency's ability to investigate unlawful suspected criminal activity in relation to a retail marijuana establishment or retail marijuana social club. A law enforcement agency may run a Maine criminal history record check of a licensee, or employee of a licensee, during an investigation of unlawful suspected criminal activity related to retail marijuana and retail marijuana products.
(1) A retail marijuana cultivation facility licensee is permitted to cultivate retail marijuana for sale and distribution only to licensed retail marijuana stores, retail marijuana products manufacturing facilities, other retail marijuana cultivation facilities or retail marijuana social clubs.
(2) A retail marijuana cultivation facility may have a retail marijuana store if it is located on the same licensed premises as the retail marijuana cultivation facility. If the retail marijuana cultivation facility chooses the option to have a retail marijuana store, it must meet all requirements set by the state licensing authority , the Department of Agriculture, Conservation and Forestry and the municipality in which it is located. A retail marijuana store located on the licensed premises of a retail marijuana cultivation facility does not count against any municipal limits on the number of retail marijuana stores.
(3) A retail marijuana cultivation facility shall track the marijuana it cultivates from seed, clone or immature plant to wholesale purchase. The Commissioner of Agriculture, Conservation and Forestry state licensing authority may not make rules that are unreasonably impracticable concerning the tracking of marijuana from seed, clone or immature plant to wholesale purchase.
(4) A retail marijuana cultivation facility may provide, except as required by subsection 6, a sample of its products to a retail marijuana testing facility for testing and research purposes. A retail marijuana cultivation facility shall maintain a record of what was provided to the retail marijuana testing facility, the identity of the retail marijuana testing facility and the testing results.
(1) A retail marijuana products manufacturing facility licensee is permitted to manufacture retail marijuana products pursuant to the terms and conditions of this chapter.
(2) A retail marijuana products manufacturing facility may cultivate its own retail marijuana if it obtains a retail marijuana cultivation facility license, or it may purchase retail marijuana from a licensed retail marijuana cultivation facility. A retail marijuana products manufacturing facility licensee shall track all of its retail marijuana from the point it is either transferred from its retail marijuana cultivation facility or the point when it is delivered to the retail marijuana products manufacturing facility from a licensed retail marijuana cultivation facility to the point of transfer to a licensed retail marijuana store, retail marijuana social club or retail marijuana testing facility.
(1) Add any marijuana to a food product if the manufacturer of the food product holds a trademark to the food product's name, except that a retail marijuana products manufacturing facility licensee may use a trademarked food product if the licensee uses the product as a component or as part of a recipe and if the licensee does not state or advertise to the consumer that the final retail marijuana product contains a trademarked food product;
(2) Intentionally or knowingly label or package a retail marijuana product in a manner that would cause a reasonable consumer confusion as to whether the retail marijuana product was a trademarked food product;
(3) Label or package a product in a manner that violates any federal trademark law or regulation; or
(4) Include harmful additives in any retail marijuana product, including, but not limited to, those that are toxic, designed to make the product more addictive and designed to make the product more appealing to children or misleading to consumers, but not including common baking and cooking items.
(1) Retail marijuana products must be prepared on licensed premises that are used exclusively for the manufacture and preparation of retail marijuana or retail marijuana products and prepared using equipment that is used exclusively for the manufacture and preparation of retail marijuana and retail marijuana products.
(2) All licensed premises in which retail marijuana products are manufactured must meet the sanitary standards for retail marijuana product preparation adopted pursuant to section 2446, subsection 2 and must be licensed as commercial kitchens by the Department of Health and Human Services.
(3) Retail marijuana products must be packaged, sealed and conspicuously labeled in compliance with this chapter and any rules adopted pursuant to this chapter.
(4) A retail marijuana products manufacturing facility licensee may provide a sample of the licensee's products to a licensed retail marijuana testing facility pursuant to subsection 6 for testing and research purposes. A retail marijuana products manufacturing facility licensee shall maintain a record of what was provided to the retail marijuana testing facility, the identity of the testing facility and the results of the testing.
(5) A retail marijuana products manufacturing facility licensee may list ingredients and compatibility with dietary practices on an edible retail marijuana product.
(6) All retail marijuana products that require refrigeration to prevent spoilage must be stored and transported in a refrigerated environment.
(1) Is certified for operation by the Department of Health and Human Services, Maine Center for Disease Control and Prevention in accordance with rules adopted by the state licensing authority in consultation with the Commissioner of Agriculture, Conservation and Forestry in consultation with and the Department of Health and Human Services, Maine Center for Disease Control and Prevention;
(2) Except as otherwise provided in this subparagraph, is accredited pursuant to standard ISO/IEC 17025 of the International Organization for Standardization by a 3rd-party accrediting body or is certified, registered or accredited by an organization approved by the Commissioner of Agriculture, Conservation and Forestry state licensing authority. The Commissioner of Agriculture, Conservation and Forestry state licensing authority shall adopt rules regarding the scope of certification, registration or accreditation required for licensure as a retail marijuana testing facility.
The state licensing authority may issue a full retail marijuana testing facility license to a person who meets all applicable requirements of this chapter and rules adopted under this chapter and who has obtained accreditation pursuant to standard ISO/IEC 17025 of the International Organization for Standardization from a 3rd-party accrediting body or who is certified, registered or accredited by an approved organization.
The state licensing authority may issue a provisional retail marijuana testing facility license to a person who otherwise meets all applicable requirements of this chapter and rules adopted under this chapter and who has applied for but not yet obtained accreditation from a 3rd-party accrediting body or who has applied for but not yet obtained certification, registration or accreditation from an approved organization. The state licensing authority may not renew a provisional retail marijuana testing facility license more than once;
(3) Is determined by the Department of Agriculture, Conservation and Forestry state licensing authority to meet all operational and technical requirements for retail marijuana testing facilities under this chapter and applicable rules adopted under this chapter; and
(4) Is approved or licensed by the municipality in which the facility is physically located and notice of approval or licensure has been provided by the municipality to the state licensing authority.
The state licensing authority, after consultation with the Commissioner of Agriculture, Conservation and Forestry , shall adopt rules regarding the testing of marijuana and marijuana products by retail marijuana testing facilities pursuant to this chapter, including, but not limited to, rules establishing acceptable testing and research practices for retail marijuana testing facilities, including, but not limited to, provisions relating to testing practices, methods and standards; remediation and retesting procedures; quality control analysis; equipment certification and calibration; chemical identification; testing facility record-keeping, documentation and business practices; disposal of used, unused and waste marijuana and marijuana products; and reporting of test results; rules establishing an independent testing and certification program pursuant to section 2445; and rules governing sampling and testing of retail marijuana and retail marijuana products pursuant to section 2448, subsection 8-A. Rules adopted pursuant to this subsection are routine technical rules as defined in Title 5, chapter 375, subchapter 2-A.
(1) Prior to allowing a person onto the retail marijuana social club's licensed premises, an employee of the retail marijuana social club shall verify that the person has a valid government-issued identification card, or other acceptable identification, showing that the person is 21 years of age or older. If a person under 21 years of age presents a fraudulent proof of age, any action relying on the fraudulent proof of age may not be grounds for the revocation or suspension of any license issued under this chapter.
(2) The state licensing authority shall adopt rules, which are routine technical rules as described in Title 5, chapter 375, subchapter 2-A, to prohibit certain signs, marketing and advertising, including but not limited to a prohibition on mass-market campaigns that have a high likelihood of reaching persons under 21 years of age.
These rules may include:
(a) A prohibition on health or physical benefit claims in advertising, merchandising and packaging;
(b) A prohibition on unsolicited advertising on the Internet;
(c) A prohibition on opt-in marketing that does not permit an easy and permanent opt-out feature; and
(d) A prohibition on marketing directed toward location-based devices, including but not limited to cellular phones, unless the marketing is a mobile device application installed on the device by the owner of the device who is 21 years of age or older and includes a permanent and easy opt-out feature.
(3) Notwithstanding any other provision of state law, sales of retail marijuana and retail marijuana products are not exempt from state sales tax.
(4) Nothing in this chapter may be construed to limit a law enforcement agency's ability to investigate unlawful suspected criminal activity in relation to a retail marijuana establishment. A law enforcement agency may run a Maine criminal history record check of a licensee, or employee of a licensee, during an investigation of unlawful suspected criminal activity related to retail marijuana and retail marijuana products.
License fees collected by the state licensing authority must be deposited into the Retail Marijuana Regulatory Coordination Fund under section 2455.
The state licensing authority shall provide notice of suspension, revocation, fine or other sanction, as well as the required notice of the hearing required by this subsection, by mailing the same in writing to the licensee at the address contained in the license and, if different, at the last address furnished to the state licensing authority by the licensee. Except in the case of a summary suspension, a suspension may not be for a period longer than 6 months. If a license is suspended or revoked, a part of the fees paid must be retained by the state licensing authority.
Whenever a decision of the state licensing authority suspending a license for 14 days or less becomes final, the licensee may, before the operative date of the suspension, petition for permission to pay a fine in lieu of having the license suspended for all or part of the suspension period. Upon the receipt of the petition, the state licensing authority may, in its sole discretion, stay the proposed suspension and cause any investigation to be made that it considers desirable and may, in its sole discretion, grant the petition if the state licensing authority is satisfied that:
The fine imposed may not be less than $500 nor more than $10,000. Payment of a fine pursuant to the provisions of this subsection must be in the form of cash or in the form of a certified check or cashier's check made payable to the state licensing authority.
Upon payment of the fine pursuant to this subsection, the state licensing authority shall enter its order permanently staying the imposition of the suspension. Fines paid to the state licensing authority pursuant to this subsection must be transmitted to the Treasurer of State.
In connection with a petition pursuant to this subsection, the authority of the state licensing authority is limited to the granting of such stays as are necessary for the state licensing authority to complete its investigation and make its findings and, if the state licensing authority makes such findings, to the granting of an order permanently staying the imposition of the entire suspension or that portion of the suspension not otherwise conditionally stayed.
If the state licensing authority does not make the findings required in this subsection and does not order the suspension permanently stayed, the suspension goes into effect on the operative date finally set by the state licensing authority.
No later than January 15th of each year, the state licensing authority shall compile a report of the preceding year's actions in which fines, suspensions or revocations were imposed by the state licensing authority. The state licensing authority shall include this information in its annual report to the Legislature.
Sec. A-19. 7 MRSA §2449, sub-§4, as enacted by IB 2015, c. 5, §1, is amended to read:
Sec. A-20. 7 MRSA §2449, sub-§§4-A and 5-A are enacted to read:
(1) The ordinance must identify the use or purpose of the impact fee;
(2) The amount of the impact fee must be reasonably related to the applicant's share of the additional municipal public health and safety costs relating to the operation of a retail marijuana establishment within the municipality;
(3) Impact fee revenues received by a municipality must be segregated from the general revenues of the municipality and impact fee revenues may be expended by the municipality only to cover the municipality's additional costs relating to the operation of a retail marijuana establishment within the municipality; and
(4) The ordinance must establish a reasonable schedule under which the municipality is required to expend impact fee revenues to cover the municipality's additional costs relating to the operation of a retail marijuana establishment within the municipality.
Sec. A-21. 7 MRSA §2449, sub-§6, as enacted by PL 2017, c. 1, §11, is repealed.
Sec. A-22. 7 MRSA §2452, sub-§6, as enacted by PL 2017, c. 1, §16, is amended to read:
(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 concentrate on the property by the owner of the property.
A person who violates this subsection commits a civil violation for which a fine of not more than $100 may be adjudged. This subsection may not be construed to shield any person from federal prosecution. This subsection may not be construed to allow any person to possess or consume marijuana on federal property.
Sec. A-23. 7 MRSA §2452, sub-§§6-A and 8 are enacted to read:
Sec. A-24. 7 MRSA §2453, sub-§4, as enacted by PL 2017, c. 1, §17, is repealed.
Sec. A-25. 7 MRSA §2454, as amended by PL 2017, c. 1, §18, is further amended to read:
§ 2454. Civil liberties
For the purposes of this subsection, "profiling" means the targeting by a law enforcement officer of an individual on suspicion that the individual has committed a crime based solely on the race, ethnicity, religion, socioeconomic status or national origin of the individual and in reliance on a group of characteristics regarding the race, ethnicity, religion, socioeconomic status or national origin of the individual that the law enforcement officer believes to be generally associated with the commission of crimes.
Sec. A-26. 7 MRSA §2455, as enacted by PL 2017, c. 278, §10, is amended to read:
§ 2455. Retail Marijuana Regulatory Coordination Fund
The Retail 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 described in this section and to facilitate 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. The commissioner may expend funds to enter into contracts with consultants and employ staff, as determined necessary by the commissioner, conduct meetings with stakeholders and conduct other activities related to the operation of this chapter. The fund also must be used to establish or support efforts related to the programs and organizations as described in subsections 1 and 2.
Sec. A-27. 7 MRSA §§2456 to 2460 are enacted to read:
§ 2456. Energy and environmental standards; working group
§ 2457. Marijuana research agenda
The department, after consultation with appropriate state agencies and the Marijuana Advisory Commission under section 2460, shall develop a research agenda designed to facilitate understanding of the social and economic trends relating to marijuana in the State, to inform future decisions of the State aimed at closing the unregulated marijuana marketplace and to inform the department on the public health impacts of marijuana in the State.
§ 2458. Maine craft marijuana report
As provided in this section, the department, after consultation with the Department of Agriculture, Conservation and Forestry, shall report to the joint standing committees of the Legislature having jurisdiction over retail marijuana matters; agriculture, conservation and forestry matters; and economic and community development matters regarding the participation of farmers and businesses of all sizes as retail marijuana licensees under this chapter.
§ 2459. Special Commission on Impaired Driving
The Special Commission on Impaired Driving, established by Title 5, section 12004-I, subsection 52-D and referred to in this section as "the special commission," is created for the purpose of conducting a continuing study of the laws relating to impaired driving and reporting to the Legislature its findings and recommendations on an annual basis.
(1) A representative of a statewide association representing prosecutors;
(2) A representative of a statewide association of criminal defense attorneys; and
(3) A member of the public.
§ 2460. Marijuana Advisory Commission
The Marijuana Advisory Commission, established by Title 5, section 12004-I, subsection 52-C and referred to in this section 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.
(1) A representative of a statewide municipal association;
(2) A representative of a statewide association representing the medical marijuana industry; and
(3) A member representing the retail marijuana industry;
(1) A representative of a statewide association representing prosecutors;
(2) A representative of a statewide association representing defense attorneys; and
(3) A representative of a statewide association representing law enforcement;
(1) The Executive Director of the Maine Human Rights Commission, or a designee;
(2) An expert in marijuana cultivation;
(3) A member representing marijuana business incubators; and
(4) A member representing registered caregivers; and
(1) A member of a federally recognized Indian tribe in this State;
(2) A representative of the Maine chapter of a national civil liberties organization; and
(3) A representative of a national association ensuring equality of rights of all persons.
Sec. A-28. 36 MRSA §1817, sub-§§1 and 2, as enacted by IB 2015, c. 5, §3, are amended to read:
Sec. A-29. 36 MRSA §1817, sub-§8, as enacted by PL 2017, c. 1, §21, is repealed.
Sec. A-30. 36 MRSA §1818 is enacted to read:
§ 1818. Municipal local option sales tax on retail marijuana and retail marijuana products
The petition process and voting must be held and conducted in accordance with Title 30-A, sections 2528, 2529 and 2532 even if the municipality has not accepted the provisions of Title 30-A, section 2528. The voting at elections must be held and conducted in accordance with Title 21-A. The municipal clerk shall prepare the required ballots, which must contain substantially the following question:
"Do you favor a local option sales tax of up to 3.5% to be imposed by [insert name of municipality] on retail marijuana and retail marijuana products sold by retail marijuana stores and retail marijuana social clubs within [insert name of municipality]?"
The voters shall indicate by a cross or check mark placed against the word "Yes" or "No" their opinion of the same. The municipal clerk shall make a return of the results, certify the results and send them to the Secretary of State. The Secretary of State shall forward the results to the assessor.
A local option sales tax imposed by a participating municipality on retail marijuana and retail marijuana products under this section may be discontinued by referendum conducted in the same manner as the referendum adopting the local option sales tax under this subsection.
PART B
Sec. B-1. 15 MRSA §5821, first ¶, as amended by IB 1999, c. 1, §2, is further amended to read:
Except as provided in section sections 5821-A and 5821-B, the following are subject to forfeiture to the State and no property right may exist exists in them:
Sec. B-2. 15 MRSA §5821-B is enacted to read:
§ 5821-B. Property not subject to forfeiture based on adult use of marijuana
Property is not subject to forfeiture under this chapter if the activity that subjects the person's property to forfeiture is the cultivation, testing, products manufacturing or sale of retail marijuana pursuant to a license issued under Title 7, chapter 417 or is related to the personal possession, use or home cultivation of marijuana pursuant to Title 7, chapter 417 and the person meets all applicable requirements imposed by and is in compliance with Title 7, chapter 417.
Sec. B-3. 17-A MRSA §1103, sub-§1-A, ¶¶E and F, as enacted by PL 2001, c. 383, §115 and affected by §156, are amended to read:
Sec. B-4. 17-A MRSA §1103, sub-§1-B, as enacted by PL 2001, c. 383, §115 and affected by §156, is amended to read:
Sec. B-5. 17-A MRSA §1105-D, sub-§1, ¶B-1, as enacted by PL 2001, c. 667, Pt. D, §30 and affected by §36, is amended to read:
(1) Five hundred or more marijuana plants. Violation of this subparagraph is a Class A crime;
(2) One hundred or more but fewer than 500 marijuana plants. Violation of this subparagraph is a Class B crime;
(3) More than 5 but fewer than 100 marijuana plants. Violation of this subparagraph is a Class C crime; or
(4) Five or fewer marijuana plants. Violation of this subparagraph is a Class D crime;
Sec. B-6. 17-A MRSA §1106, sub-§1-B, as enacted by PL 2001, c. 383, §121 and affected by §156, is amended to read:
Sec. B-7. 17-A MRSA §1106, sub-§3, ¶A, as amended by PL 2009, c. 67, §1, is repealed.
Sec. B-8. 17-A MRSA §1107-A, sub-§1, ¶F, as amended by PL 2009, c. 67, §2, is further amended to read:
(1) For possession of over 2 1/2 ounces to 8 ounces of marijuana, a Class E crime;
(2) For possession of over 8 ounces to 16 ounces of marijuana, a Class D crime;
(3) For possession of over one pound to 20 pounds of marijuana, a Class C crime; and
(4) For possession of over 20 pounds of marijuana, a Class B crime.
Sec. B-9. 17-A MRSA §1107-A, sub-§2, as enacted by PL 2001, c. 383, §127 and affected by §156, is amended to read:
Sec. B-10. 17-A MRSA §1107-A, sub-§4, as amended by PL 2015, c. 496, §9, is further amended to read:
Sec. B-11. 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-12. 17-A MRSA §1111-A, sub-§§4-A and 4-B, as enacted by PL 2011, c. 464, §20, are amended to read:
(1) At least 16 years of age. Violation of this subparagraph is a Class E crime; or
(2) Less than 16 years of age. Violation of this subparagraph is a Class D crime; or
Sec. B-13. 17-A MRSA §1114, as enacted by PL 1975, c. 499, §1, is amended to read:
§ 1114. Schedule Z drugs; contraband subject to seizure
All scheduled Z drugs, the unauthorized possession of which constitutes a civil violation under Title 7, chapter 417 or Title 22, are hereby declared contraband, and may be seized and confiscated by the State.
Sec. B-14. 17-A MRSA §1115, as enacted by PL 1975, c. 499, §1 and amended by c. 740, §106-A, is further amended to read:
§ 1115. Notice of conviction
On the conviction of any person of the violation of any provision of this chapter, or on his the person's being found liable for a civil violation under Title 7, chapter 417 or Title 22, a copy of the judgment or sentence and of the opinion of the court or judge, if any opinion be filed, shall must be sent by the clerk of court or by the judge to the board or officer, if any, by whom the person has been licensed or registered to practice his the person's profession or to carry on his the person's business if the court finds that such conviction or liability renders such person unfit to engage in such profession or business. The court may, in its discretion, suspend or revoke the license or registration of the person to practice his the person's profession or to carry on his the person's business if the court finds that such conviction or liability renders such person unfit to engage in such profession or business. On the application of any person whose license or registration has been suspended or revoked and upon proper showing and for good cause, said board or officer may reinstate such license or registration.
Sec. B-15. 17-A MRSA §1117, sub-§4, as enacted by PL 2009, c. 631, §3 and affected by §51, is amended to read:
PART C
Sec. C-1. Maine Revised Statutes amended; revision clause. Wherever in the Maine Revised Statutes the word "marijuana" appears, it is amended to read "cannabis" and the Revisor of Statutes shall implement this revision when updating, publishing or republishing the statutes.
Sec. C-2. Rulemaking. The state licensing authority pursuant to the Marijuana Legalization Act shall provisionally adopt all rules required by the Marijuana Legalization Act no later than December 1, 2018 and when drafting rules shall review and consider proposals considered for amendments to the Marijuana Legalization Act by the Joint Select Committee on Marijuana Legalization Implementation established pursuant to Joint Order 2017, House Paper 96.
Sec. C-3. Department of Public Safety; sealing of marijuana conviction records. Notwithstanding any provision of law to the contrary and no later than January 15, 2020, the Department of Public Safety, Bureau of State Police, State Bureau of Identification shall ensure that all criminal conviction records within the possession of the department that relate to an eligible marijuana conviction are made confidential and that the dissemination of such records by the department is prohibited.
1. For the purposes of this section, "eligible marijuana conviction" means a conviction for a current or former crime that consisted of conduct that is authorized under the Maine Revised Statutes, Title 7, section 2452.
2. No later than January 15, 2019, the Department of Public Safety shall submit to the joint standing committees of the Legislature having jurisdiction over retail marijuana matters, criminal justice and public safety matters and judicial matters a report regarding the progress made by the department in meeting the requirements of this section. The report must include any proposed legislation necessary for the department to meet the requirements of this section by January 15, 2020. After reviewing the report, the joint standing committee of the Legislature having jurisdiction over retail marijuana matters may report out legislation relating to the report to the First Regular Session of the 129th Legislature. The joint standing committees of the Legislature having jurisdiction over criminal justice and public safety matters and judicial matters may make recommendations to the joint standing committee of the Legislature having jurisdiction over retail marijuana matters regarding that legislation.
PART D
Sec. D-1. Appropriations and allocations. The following appropriations and allocations are made.
ADMINISTRATIVE AND FINANCIAL SERVICES, DEPARTMENT OF
Retail Marijuana Regulatory Coordination Fund N233
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
|
0.000 | 14.000 |
Personal Services
|
$0 | $850,000 |
GENERAL FUND TOTAL | $0 | $850,000 |
Retail Marijuana Regulatory Coordination Fund N233
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 | $700,000 |
GENERAL FUND TOTAL | $0 | $700,000 |
Retail Marijuana Regulatory Coordination Fund N233
Initiative: Provides funding for All Other costs.
OTHER SPECIAL REVENUE FUNDS | 2017-18 | 2018-19 |
All Other
|
$0 | $550,000 |
OTHER SPECIAL REVENUE FUNDS TOTAL | $0 | $550,000 |
Retail Marijuana Regulatory Coordination Fund N233
Initiative: Provides funding for a tracking/traceability system and licensing system software.
GENERAL FUND | 2017-18 | 2018-19 |
All Other
|
$0 | $550,000 |
GENERAL FUND TOTAL | $0 | $550,000 |
Retail Marijuana Regulatory Coordination Fund N233
Initiative: Provides funding for 6 Consumer Protection Inspector positions.
GENERAL FUND | 2017-18 | 2018-19 |
POSITIONS - LEGISLATIVE COUNT
|
0.000 | 6.000 |
Personal Services
|
$0 | $478,806 |
GENERAL FUND TOTAL | $0 | $478,806 |
Retail Marijuana Regulatory Coordination Fund N233
Initiative: Provides funding for one Public Service Coordinator I position, one Planning and Research Associate II position and one Chemist II position.
OTHER SPECIAL REVENUE FUNDS | 2017-18 | 2018-19 |
POSITIONS - LEGISLATIVE COUNT
|
0.000 | 3.000 |
Personal Services
|
$0 | $278,017 |
OTHER SPECIAL REVENUE FUNDS TOTAL | $0 | $278,017 |
Revenue Services, Bureau of 0002
Initiative: Provides funding for one Tax Examiner position 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 | 1.000 |
Personal Services
|
$0 | $63,623 |
All Other
|
$0 | $81,416 |
GENERAL FUND TOTAL | $0 | $145,039 |
ADMINISTRATIVE AND FINANCIAL SERVICES, DEPARTMENT OF | ||
DEPARTMENT TOTALS | 2017-18 | 2018-19 |
GENERAL FUND
|
$0 | $2,723,845 |
OTHER SPECIAL REVENUE FUNDS
|
$0 | $828,017 |
DEPARTMENT TOTAL - ALL FUNDS | $0 | $3,551,862 |
AGRICULTURE, CONSERVATION AND FORESTRY, DEPARTMENT OF
Marijuana Regulation and Licensing Fund Z262
Initiative: Removes allocations for one Consumer Protection Inspector position, one pool vehicle and position technology costs for the transfer of regulatory authority from the Department of Agriculture, Conservation and Forestry to the Department of Administrative and Financial Services.
OTHER SPECIAL REVENUE FUNDS | 2017-18 | 2018-19 |
POSITIONS - LEGISLATIVE COUNT
|
(1.000) | (1.000) |
Personal Services
|
($76,032) | ($79,801) |
All Other
|
($15,000) | ($12,500) |
OTHER SPECIAL REVENUE FUNDS TOTAL | ($91,032) | ($92,301) |
AGRICULTURE, CONSERVATION AND FORESTRY, DEPARTMENT OF | ||
DEPARTMENT TOTALS | 2017-18 | 2018-19 |
OTHER SPECIAL REVENUE FUNDS
|
($91,032) | ($92,301) |
DEPARTMENT TOTAL - ALL FUNDS | ($91,032) | ($92,301) |
INDIGENT LEGAL SERVICES, MAINE COMMISSION ON
Maine Commission on Indigent Legal Services Z112
Initiative: Adjusts funding to reflect an estimated decrease of $75,000 annually to reflect fewer cases of assigned counsel related to marijuana offenses.
GENERAL FUND | 2017-18 | 2018-19 |
All Other
|
$0 | ($75,000) |
GENERAL FUND TOTAL | $0 | ($75,000) |
INDIGENT LEGAL SERVICES, MAINE COMMISSION ON | ||
DEPARTMENT TOTALS | 2017-18 | 2018-19 |
GENERAL FUND
|
$0 | ($75,000) |
DEPARTMENT TOTAL - ALL FUNDS | $0 | ($75,000) |
LEGISLATURE
Legislature 0081
Initiative: Appropriates funds for the ongoing costs of Legislators serving on the Marijuana Advisory Commission.
GENERAL FUND | 2017-18 | 2018-19 |
Personal Services
|
$0 | $880 |
All Other
|
$0 | $1,370 |
GENERAL FUND TOTAL | $0 | $2,250 |
Legislature 0081
Initiative: Appropriates funds for the ongoing costs of Legislators serving on the Special Commission on Impaired Driving.
GENERAL FUND | 2017-18 | 2018-19 |
Personal Services
|
$0 | $880 |
All Other
|
$0 | $1,370 |
GENERAL FUND TOTAL | $0 | $2,250 |
LEGISLATURE | ||
DEPARTMENT TOTALS | 2017-18 | 2018-19 |
GENERAL FUND
|
$0 | $4,500 |
DEPARTMENT TOTAL - ALL FUNDS | $0 | $4,500 |
PUBLIC SAFETY, DEPARTMENT OF
State Police 0291
Initiative: Provides funding for 2 Paralegal positions and related costs to review and make confidential all eligible marijuana convictions.
GENERAL FUND | 2017-18 | 2018-19 |
POSITIONS - LEGISLATIVE COUNT
|
0.000 | 2.000 |
Personal Services
|
$0 | $138,288 |
All Other
|
$0 | $47,151 |
GENERAL FUND TOTAL | $0 | $185,439 |
HIGHWAY FUND | 2017-18 | 2018-19 |
Personal Services
|
$0 | $74,462 |
All Other
|
$0 | $27,177 |
HIGHWAY FUND TOTAL | $0 | $101,639 |
PUBLIC SAFETY, DEPARTMENT OF | ||
DEPARTMENT TOTALS | 2017-18 | 2018-19 |
GENERAL FUND
|
$0 | $185,439 |
HIGHWAY FUND
|
$0 | $101,639 |
DEPARTMENT TOTAL - ALL FUNDS | $0 | $287,078 |
SECTION TOTALS | 2017-18 | 2018-19 |
GENERAL FUND
|
$0 | $2,838,784 |
HIGHWAY FUND
|
$0 | $101,639 |
OTHER SPECIAL REVENUE FUNDS
|
($91,032) | $735,716 |
SECTION TOTAL - ALL FUNDS | ($91,032) | $3,676,139 |
summary
This amendment replaces the bill and is the minority report of the committee. Under this amendment, as directed by a revision clause, the term "marijuana" will be replaced with the term "cannabis" in the Maine Revised Statutes. This amendment makes the following changes to the Marijuana Legalization Act, referred to in this summary as "the Act."
1. It changes provisions in the Act that authorize the state licensing authority, which is the Department of Administrative and Financial Services, to delegate rulemaking to other state agencies as cited under the Act to say that the state licensing authority may, or in some instances must, consult with those agencies regarding rulemaking.
2. It expands the type of retail marijuana licenses that may be established under the Act to include transportation licenses, delivery services licenses, storage service licenses, research licenses and special event licenses for on-premises consumption of marijuana.
3. It directs the state licensing authority to ensure that the license privileges encourage competition with the unregulated marijuana market and allow for small-scale cultivators and products manufacturers to have a streamlined application process for licenses that authorize retail sales directly to consumers.
4. It provides that law enforcement, upon encountering a representative of a retail marijuana licensee transporting marijuana, must presume that the possession, cultivation and transportation of the marijuana is legal and in compliance with the Act. This presumption of lawful possession, cultivation and transportation of marijuana is also applied to a person 21 years of age or older.
5. It amends the several provisions in the Act that state the Act is not intended to limit law enforcement authority to investigate unlawful activity related to a retail marijuana establishment to clarify that law enforcement's role is to investigate only suspected criminal activity as the Act authorizes the state licensing authority to regulate retail marijuana licensees for other violations related to the operation of a licensed establishment.
6. It amends the definition of "plant canopy" to include in the calculation of plant canopy only those areas in which mature marijuana plants are to be cultivated.
7. It repeals the statewide cultivation cap under the Act and establishes a new structure for retail marijuana cultivation facility licenses that allows for, among other cultivation license types, nursery cultivation facilities and small cultivator cooperatives.
8. It requires licenses for licensed retail marijuana establishments and social clubs to prohibit the licensees from transferring information to an official with the Federal Government regarding any person who transacts business with the licensees unless presented with a court order or search warrant.
9. It allows for the consumption of marijuana on the premises of a retail marijuana store licensee that is not licensed as a social club under a temporary license issued by the state licensing authority or under a permanent license issued by the state licensing authority as part of a licensing pilot project.
10. It permits a municipality to impose a licensing fee and a public health and safety impact fee on marijuana licensees within the municipality and also allows for a local option sales tax.
11. It specifies that the Act, or rules adopted pursuant to the Act, may not be construed as altering existing penalties, including those relating to actions such as operating vehicles while impaired by marijuana, or laws prohibiting furnishing marijuana to persons under 21 years of age or the possession of marijuana on the grounds of a public or private school where children attend classes or as altering other similar laws governing marijuana.
12. It provides protections of parental rights similar to those under the Maine Medical Use of Marijuana Act pertaining to the lawful possession or consumption of marijuana.
13. It prohibits a law enforcement officer from engaging in profiling or taking action resulting from profiling to enforce provisions of the Act. The amendment provides a definition of profiling.
14. It provides that the Retail Marijuana Regulatory Coordination Fund must be used to support public and behavioral health programs and services, including evidence-based substance abuse prevention and treatment programs, and for training municipal police in restorative justice and other programs mitigating negative social impacts.
15. It establishes a working group on retail marijuana energy and environmental standards, the Special Commission on Impaired Driving and the Marijuana Advisory Commission. It also directs the development of a marijuana research agenda and a craft marijuana report regarding marijuana industry participation of farmers and businesses of all sizes.
16. It establishes a retail sales tax rate of 17.5% on marijuana sold by licensees under the Act.
17. It requires that rules required under the Act must be provisionally adopted by December 1, 2018. In adopting such rules, the state licensing authority must consider proposals considered by the Joint Select Committee on Marijuana Legalization Implementation as amendments to the Marijuana Legalization Act.
18. It directs the Department of Public Safety, Bureau of State Police, State Bureau of Identification to make confidential all records of criminal convictions in the State that relate to convictions for activities that are now authorized under the Act.
19. It adds an appropriations and allocations section.