OCP's mission is to ensure the health and safety of all Mainers by effectively and responsibly licensing and regulating cannabis establishments.
In Case You Missed It
News & Updates
Cannabis Conversation on Testing & Contaminants (Medical & Adult Use)
The Office of Cannabis Policy (OCP) held a panel discussion on September 19 that explored the different contaminants that can be found in cannabis, their health impacts, and the important role testing plays in ensuring regulated cannabis is free from such contaminants. A recording of the event is available on OCP's YouTube channel.
Enacted Cannabis-related Legislation Webinar & Memorandum (Medical & Adult Use)
OCP held a webinar on August 10 that covered recent changes to the laws governing Maine's medical and adult use cannabis programs as a result of the First Regular and Special Sessions of the 131st Legislature. A recording of the event is available on OCP's YouTube channel and a document outlining the changes is available on OCP's website.
Recent Guidance
Guidance for the Implementation of Increased Potency Per Package of Edible Cannabis Products (Adult Use)
This guidance addresses the implementation of the section of An Act to Amend the Adult Use Cannabis Laws, PL 2023, ch. 396 that increases the per package limit for edible cannabis products from 100 milligrams of THC per package to 200 milligrams effective October 25, 2023. Read more.
Guidance for Co-Location of Adult Use and Medical Cultivation Facilities (Adult Use)
This guidance clarifies the requirements for adult use cultivation facilities that are co-located with registered caregiver or registered dispensary cultivation operations. Read more.
Upcoming Events
2023 Statewide Listening Tour
OCP Director John Hudak and staff are conducting a statewide listening tour in 2023. Join us at a town hall event near you to ask questions, share feedback, and learn more about Maine's regulated cannabis programs!
OCP is engaging in major substantive rulemaking for the medical program to strike provisions no longer supported by the enabling statute and to address recent legislative changes. Public participation is a critical component of this process, and OCP is accepting written public comments until October 10, 2023.
OCP is also hosting an in-person public hearing on September 26, 2023, at 10:00 a.m. as another opportunity to solicit public comments and address questions about the rules. The hearing will take place at 19 Union Street (Room 325), Augusta, Maine with a livestream of the hearing available on OCP’s YouTube channel.
Metrc User Call & Trainings
Adult use licensees are reminded that OCP's next Metrc User Call will take place on Wednesday, October 4 at 2:30 p.m. OCP is also hosting three, live in-person training events with Metrc on October 2-4 to help cultivation facilities with the new Flexible Standardized Batch Tracking (FSBT) functionality.
Interested licensees can register for these events at the links sent via email.
Cannabis Conversations
OCP's next panel discussion will be a Cannabis Conversation on Banking Policy. Stay tuned for the November date and time of this virtual event!
Lessons from Licensing
For adult use facilities, an Application for Relocation and the corresponding $250 fee is required for, but not limited to, a complete relocation of a premises, expansion at existing premises, or movement of a building on premises, if local authorization is required.
If local authorization is not required, then the licensee is to complete an Application for Change to Official Plan of Record, with no fee, and submit an updated facility diagram. Whether local authorization is necessary is to be determined by the applicant, not the Department.
Compliance Corner
As a reminder for self-samplers, a sample collection form is required to be filled out during all sampling events. It is permissible to develop your own form, use the form developed by OCP, or use a form supplied to you by a testing facility, as long as all of the required information is included. The list of required information to include in your sample collection form can be found in Chapter 1, Section 3.11.1 of the Adult Use Cannabis Program Rule. This information is required to be recorded at the time of sample collection and retained for a period of five years.
In her role as OCP's Chemist II, Diana McKenzie processes and monitors testing data for the Adult Use Cannabis Program. She also serves as a key technical resource for various testing-related concerns.
Diana says of her experience, “I like the team attitude that is present here at OCP and working to improve the adult use program to be the safest it can be for Maine customers.”
Prior to working at OCP, Diana worked at the Maine CDC as the Cannabis Testing Facility Certification Officer. Apart from work, Diana enjoys quilting and keeping backyard hens.
Municipal Reminders
OCP's Municipal Reimbursement Program helps reimburse municipalities for qualifying expenses associated with opting to permit adult use cannabis establishments. This includes legal fees, staff time, and more!
