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Friday 28 June 2019
Maine governor signs rules to finally allow pot sales

By MARINA VILLENEUVE squabbles have slowed the "We have drafted these
Associated Press implementation of a com- rules with a view toward
AUGUSTA, Maine (AP) — mercial industry. The state keeping the public's health
Maine Gov. Janet Mills now has a legal road map and safety at the forefront,"
signed a bill Thursday set- for marijuana to arrive in said Office of Marijuana
ting up a legal framework stores as soon as early 2020. Policy Director Erik Gunder-
for the sale of recreational State officials say retail sen.
marijuana to adults as early adult use marijuana could The new framework makes
as next year. arrive in stores as soon as several changes to state
Her office said Thursday early 2020. Maine already law ahead of sales.
that the state's Office of has legal medical marijua- Municipalities could opt in
Marijuana Policy plans to na. or out of allowing marijua-
accept applications for li- The law becomes effective na sales. Only a handful of
censes by the end of 2019. in September. At that point, cities and towns have laid
The Democratic governor the Office of Marijuana Pol- the groundwork for retail
said her administration has icy has 60 days to finalize sales.
worked quickly to imple- regulations. Then, the state Currently, state law defines
ment the voter-approved must start accepting appli- poisonous or harmful sub-
law since she took office cations within 30 days. stances as "adulterated."
earlier this year. In the meantime, Mills' ad- The new law says Maine
The state's voters chose to ministration is working on would not consider edibles
legalize both the use and a public health and safety produced with recreation-
sale of recreational mari- education campaign, and al marijuana adulterated.
juana among adults in No- figuring out how the state Under the new law, Maine
vember 2016, but months will track, trace and license residents who have lived In this Dec. 13, 2019 file photo, a marijuana plant grows under
of delays and political marijuana. in the state for at least four artificial light at an indoor facility in Portland, Maine.
Associated Press

years would have to claim and the District of Colum-
at least 51% ownership of bia, though some, like
a cannabis company to Maine, have yet to set up
qualify for a license. The commercial sales. Medi-
state would also authorize cal marijuana was already
the department to impose legal in Maine, and under
an administrative hold on a the 2016 law, adults over 21
licensee. can possess up to 2.5 ounc-
Marijuana is legal for adult es (70.9 grams) of marijua-
recreational use in 10 states na without penalty.q

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