The Mills Administration created the Office of Cannabis Policy (OCP) within the Department of Administrative and Financial Services (DAFS) in February 2019. OCP is responsible for the oversight of all aspects of legalized cannabis, including Maine's existing Medical Use of Marijuana Program.
Current law establishes DAFS as the licensing and regulatory authority for cannabis. The Office is DAFS’ solution to carrying out that responsibility.
In Maine, the responsibility for licensing, compliance, and general oversight of Maine’s medical use of cannabis and adult use cannabis programs is unified within OCP. While the department is required to consult with the Department of Agriculture, Conservation and Forestry, Department of Health and Human Services, Department of Labor, and Department of Public Safety on rulemaking related to their areas of expertise, the work of OCP continues to benefit from the knowledge and experience of several other state agencies.