AUGUSTA - The Legislature's Joint Standing Committee on Taxation voted unanimously last week to advance LD 1714, sponsored by Rep. Ambureen Rana, D-Bangor, which would create the Recovery Community Centers Fund within the Maine Department of Health and Human Services.
The fund would collect 12% of the tax revenue from the sale of adult use cannabis to support recovery community centers, nonprofit organizations led and governed by representatives of local recovery communities with a primary focus on recovery from substance use disorder. These centers provide nonclinical, peer recovery support services including group support, recovery coaching and harm reduction services.
"Some of our recovery community centers are operating on a shoestring budget," said Rana. "Based on Maine adult use cannabis tax revenues from 2022, this bill could provide approximately $3 million a year to the Recovery Community Centers Fund, which would help stabilize funding for programs with proven track records of helping those struggling with substance use disorder."
"I cannot think of a better way to use the tax revenue that the State of Maine is collecting from recreational drug use than to support the recovery of people who use drugs," said Courtney Gary-Allen, organizing director of the Maine Recovery Advocacy Project. "I am particularly delighted that LD 1714 is being supported by Democrats and Republicans in the Tax Committee. Recovery is for everyone and impacts everyone, regardless of race, gender, class and yes, even party affiliation."
"Recovery community centers like the Bangor Area Recovery Network (BARN) didn't exist when my family needed them," said Amy Clark, board member of BARN. "I remember the profound loneliness I felt thinking I was the only person in Maine that had a brother struggling with substance use. I couldn't be more excited that these centers might have access to more funding to help families like mine. I hope the Legislature sees the importance of LD 1714 and passes it this session."
"The Portland Recovery Community Center (PRCC) opened its doors in 2012, a time when we were one of only two recovery community centers in Maine," said Leslie Clark, executive director of PRCC. "There are now almost 20 recovery community centers statewide. But many of these centers struggle to keep their doors open and create a sustainable organization due to lack of adequate funding. LD 1714 will help change that. There are no words to explain the number of lives this legislation will impact. We are so grateful for Rep. Rana and the entire Tax Committee for supporting this."
"Save a Life Recovery Resource Center offers multiple support groups, one-on-one recovery coaching, yoga, art, writing and music along with harm reduction training and early intervention programs," said Kelly Cookson, director of Save a Life Recovery Resource Center in Lincoln. "We only receive $50,000 from the Department of Health and Human Services. The remaining portion of our funding comes from private donors. While the donations are greatly appreciated, it is unreliable at best."
The bill faces additional votes in the House and Senate in the coming days.
Rana is serving her first term in the Maine House and represents House District 21, which includes a portion of Bangor. She serves on the Legislature's Joint Standing Committee on Taxation and the Joint Select Committee on Housing.
Contact:
Brian Lee [Rana], 305-965-2744