An Act To Better Regulate Marijuana

CONCEPT DRAFT SUMMARY

This bill is a concept draft pursuant to Joint Rule 208.

This bill proposes to revise the laws regarding recreational marijuana sales and use to:

1. Change the state licensing authority from the Department of Agriculture, Conservation and Forestry to the Department of Administrative and Financial Services, Bureau of Alcoholic Beverages and Lottery Operations;

2. Clarify the licensing preferences for medical marijuana dispensaries and caregivers under the Marijuana Legalization Act;

3. Establish a provisional license to allow marijuana dispensaries licensed under the Maine Medical Use of Marijuana Act to participate in the retail sale of marijuana prior to the establishment of licenses for retail marijuana establishments;

4. Expand protections for minors by modeling the laws regarding distribution, possession and use of marijuana by persons under 21 years of age on the laws prohibiting the distribution, possession and use of alcohol by persons under 21 years of age;

5. Establish a special marijuana tax at the rate of 10% on the retail sale of marijuana by marijuana dispensaries. This tax is in addition to the sales tax currently imposed on medical marijuana and is only imposed until the retail sale of marijuana by other establishments is authorized by the bureau;

6. Modify the record-keeping, audit and other compliance requirements of a person licensed as a retail marijuana establishment or retail marijuana social club;

7. Authorize a nonprofit medical marijuana dispensary to reorganize as a for-profit entity; and

8. Increase the sales tax on retail marijuana and marijuana products from 10% to 20%.