132nd MAINE LEGISLATURE
		LD 1488		LR 1746(02)
	An Act Regarding Cannabis Testing and the Manufacture of Cannabis and Hemp Products
	Fiscal Note for Bill as Amended by Committee Amendment " "
	Committee: Veterans and Legal Affairs
	Fiscal Note Required: Yes
Fiscal Note
			FY 2025-26	FY 2026-27	Projections  FY 2027-28	Projections  FY 2028-29
Net Cost (Savings)
	General Fund		$994,991	$1,072,983	$1,134,515	$1,200,798
Appropriations/Allocations
	General Fund		$994,991	$1,072,983	$1,134,515	$1,200,798
Fiscal Detail and Notes
	This bill changes cannabis testing requirements to clarify that the use of cannabis concentrate in the manufacture of edible cannabis products or vape cartridges and the use of cannabis flower or trim in the manufacture of pre-rolled cannabis cigarettes does not constitute further processing that would require additional mandatory testing.
	The Office of Cannabis Policy (OCP) has indicated that the testing exemption outlined in this bill is expected to apply to a significant number of packages offered for retail sale. To maintain oversight and identify potential product contamination, the department plans to implement a quality control sampling program authorized under existing statutes, targeting 10% of the newly exempted batches.
	The bill includes ongoing General Fund appropriations to the OCP of $644,362 beginning in fiscal year 2025-26 for one Field Investigator Supervisor position, one Chemist II position and 3 OCP Compliance Inspector positions and associated All Other position costs.  The bill also includes ongoing General Fund appropriations of $350,629 in fiscal year 2025-26 and $385,692 in fiscal year 2026-27 for the product testing costs related to the sampling program.