For Immediate Release: Tuesday, April 23, 2019
Contact: David Heidrich, (207) 624-7491
Director of Engagement and Community Outreach, Office of Marijuana Policy
Office of Marijuana Policy continues development on recreational rules, with a final draft expected early next month
AUGUSTA – The Office of Marijuana Policy, a part of the Maine Department of Administrative and Financial Services, today announced the availability of draft rules developed pursuant to the Marijuana Legalization Act. This significant milestone is emblematic of the Mills Administration’s commitment to implementing the voter-approved legalized marijuana law and follows delivery of draft rules to state government stakeholders earlier this month.
Following a conditional contract award to Colorado-based consulting firm Freedman and Koski in February, OCP executed a contract to commence rulemaking work on March 22, 2019. Representatives from Freedman and Koski and their subcontractor, Advocates for Human Potential, visited Maine in early April to conduct a critical round of internal stakeholder meetings. Since that time, rule development has been underway nearly seven days a week.
“The Office of Marijuana Policy continues its work implementing the voter-approved recreational marijuana law,” said OCP Director Erik Gundersen. “There has been significant public interest in the adult use rules being developed in Maine, which is why we invite the public to review these rules and offer their feedback.”
A copy of the draft rules is currently available for review on the DAFS website: https://www.maine.gov/dafs/services/marijuana/rulemaking/draft-rules. Parties interested in providing feedback in response to the preliminary draft rules may do so through the following page: https://www.maine.gov/dafs/services/marijuana/rulemaking/feedback.
The draft rules include the aspects of a regulated cannabis industry—including licensing, compliance, tracking, packaging, labeling, and enforcement—deemed major substantive by the legislature. Not included are rules on laboratories and testing, which are routine technical and do not require approval by the Maine Legislature prior to their adoption by OCP.
In the coming weeks, the preliminary draft will transition into a final draft and OCP will begin the public hearing and public comment phase required by the Maine Administrative Procedures Act. A final draft will be provided at least 20 days prior to the date of a scheduled public hearing. Following the public hearing, an additional 10-day public comment period will occur.
OCP staff intend to deliver a final draft of rules to the 129th Legislature prior to the adjournment of the First Regular Session in June.
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