MAINE CANNABIS PROGRAM

MAINE
Licenses Available

STATE STATUS

The state of Maine legalized both adult-use and medical cannabis. Persons 21 years and older may purchase and possess cannabis, while registered patients have access to medical cannabis. Access to cannabis is through state licensed businesses that are allowed to grow, manufacture and sell cannabis.

Learn more about how to get a Maine cannabis business license or schedule a complimentary consultation with our licensing expert, below.

Hemp

Yes

Medical Marijuana

Yes

Adult-Use

Yes

When To Apply

Now

News

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NUMBER OF MAINE CANNABIS BUSINESS LICENSES AVAILABLE

While Maine is no longer awarding medical marijuana business licenses, the state continues to license business licenses for the adult-use market. This means, currently, only adult-use marijuana business licenses are available, more information on each type of license outlined below.

Maine Recreational Marijuana Business Licenses

The number of marijuana business licenses available are subject to each local municipality (city, township, borough, county) and its local ordinances. Local governments will be allowed to regulate the number and types of licenses allowed to operate within their jurisdiction. Types of licenses allowed include the following.

Maine Adult-Use Cultivation Facility License: the state may issue the following types of cultivation facility licenses:

    • Tier 1 cultivation facility license: The two subcategories of tier 1 cultivation facility license are plant-count-based tier 1 cultivation facility license and plant-canopy-based tier 1 cultivation facility license:
      • Plant-count-based tier 1 cultivation facility license allows cultivation of a specified number (not more than 30) of mature marijuana plants and an unlimited number of immature marijuana plants and seedlings
      • Plant-canopy-based tier 1 cultivation facility license allows cultivation of not more than 500 square feet of plant canopy of mature plants.
    • Tier 2 cultivation facility license. Allows cultivation by a licensee of not more than 2,000 square feet of plant canopy of mature plants
    • Tier 3 cultivation facility license. Allows cultivation by a licensee of not more than 7,000 square feet of plant canopy of mature plants
    • Tier 4 cultivation facility license. Allows cultivation by a licensee of not more than 20,000 square feet of plant canopy of mature plants, except as approved by the Department pursuant to 28-B MRS§304
    • Nursery cultivation facility license. Allows cultivation by a licensee of not more than 1,000 square feet of plant canopy, subject to the requirements and restrictions of 28-B MRS§501(3).

Maine Adult-Use Products Manufacturing Facility License: a products manufacturing facility license permits the following activities:

    • Purchasing adult use marijuana from licensed cultivation facilities;
    • Purchasing adult use marijuana concentrate from other licensed products manufacturing facilities;
    • Extracting cannabinoids from marijuana or marijuana plants;
    • Preparing, weighing, packaging, labeling and storing inhaled marijuana products, edible marijuana products or tinctures and/or topical marijuana products using marijuana or marijuana concentrate;
    • Collecting samples of marijuana or marijuana products for mandatory testing and delivering those samples to a testing facility;
    • Selling or authorized transport of marijuana concentrate to licensed products manufacturing facilities; and
    • Selling or authorized transport of marijuana products to licensed marijuana stores.

Maine Adult-Use Marijuana Store License: a marijuana store license permits the following activities:

    • Purchase adult use marijuana, pre-packaged retail units of marijuana flower and marijuana trim, immature marijuana plants and seedlings from a licensed cultivation facility;
    • Purchase packaged adult use marijuana and adult use marijuana products from a products manufacturing facility;
    • Store adult use marijuana, adult use marijuana products, immature marijuana plants and seedlings;
    • Collect, subject to the requirements and restrictions of 28-B MRS§604-A, samples of marijuana or marijuana products for mandatory testing;
    • Conduct authorized transports of adult use marijuana, adult use marijuana products, immature marijuana plants and seedlings to another licensed marijuana store or licensed testing facility;
    • Collecting samples of marijuana or marijuana products for mandatory testing and delivering those samples to a testing facility;
    • Sell adult use marijuana, adult use marijuana products, immature marijuana plants and seedlings to consumers;
    • Sell consumable products not containing marijuana, including, but not limited to: soft drinks, candies and baked goods.

Maine Medical Marijuana Business Licenses

Maine Medical Cannabis Dispensary License: this is a vertically integrated license, meaning a licensee can possess, manufacture, cultivate, deliver, transport, sell and dispense marijuana to qualifying patients with a valid medical marijuana card. There is a limit of 8 medical marijuana business licenses awarded in Maine. The state is no longer accepting applications for additional medical marijuana businesses.

HOW TO START A MARIJUANA BUSINESS IN MAINE

To operate a marijuana business in Maine, you will need the following plans:

  • Security Plan
  • Environmental Impact Plan
  • Quality Control and Quality Assurance Plan
  • Business Plan
  • Financial Plan
  • Community Benefits Plan
  • Research Plan
  • Cultivation, Manufacturing and/or Dispensing Plan
  • Labor Compliance Plan
  • Staffing and Training Plan

 

Schedule for a complimentary 15-min consult with our licensing/application expert to learn more about how we may be able to assist you.


MAINE CANNABIS TIMELINE

November 1999 – Maine legalized medical marijuana.

November 2016 – Voters approved Question 1, legalizing recreational marijuana.

January 2017 – The state placed a moratorium (temporary hold) on implementing regulations for retail sales and taxation until February 2018.

April 2019 – Governor Paul LePage vetoed a bill to establish a regulated recreational marijuana program.

May 2019 – The Legislature overrode the veto and put the final stamp on the bill, LD 1719.

December 2019 – State began accepting applications for adult-use cultivation, manufacturing and retail licenses.

September 2020 – State licensed first adult-use cultivation license.

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CONTACT US


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    "Sara’s success speaks for itself. Our company continues to engage Sara for ongoing consulting and her advice remains solid and relevant to our growth."

    - JonathanOwner, Firefly Dispensaries in Pennsylvania.

    "Working with Sara was a pleasure. We don’t know how we would have gotten through the application process without her."

    -Kristina BeglarianArizona Vertically Integrated Facility Owner