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AUGUSTA, Maine — Medical marijuana in Maine could once again avoid tracking and testing requirements after the House rejected a proposed change.
The effort to require greater oversight of Maine’s medical marijuana industry has a hazy future, as lawmakers declined multiple proposals and opted not to move forward with new regulations. The issue now heads to the Senate for further consideration.
LD 1847 was drafted by Rep. Anne Graham, D-North Yarmouth, and in part inspired by her career as a nurse practitioner.
“I am doing this because I want to keep patients safe. I want them to have a product that is safe and tested,” said Graham.
Graham’s proposal would have required batch testing and tracking for Maine medical marijuana caregivers. Those who make less than $125,000 annually would be eligible for state-sponsored cost assistance.
Shanna Souza, who sells medical marijuana, said she prioritizes safety for her customers. Her store, Homegrown of Augusta, only sells tested products.
Not all stores are the same, but Souza, who is also the treasurer of Medical Marijuana Caregivers of Maine, has been encouraging others to follow her lead. That effort has not been fully successful, she said, noting there are some “bad actors” out there.
Still, Souza doesn’t support Graham because the regulations would be too strict and costly.
There are an estimated 1,600 medical caregivers in the marijuana space, Souza said. If Graham’s bill were to become law, “we would probably lose a good 200-300, if not more.”
That sobering reality is why Rep. David Boyer, R-Portland, hopes LD 1847 goes up in smoke.
“Where are the bodies? Where is the harm?” asked an exasperated Boyer, with a crowd of activists cheering him on. “The patients aren’t asking for this. They are asking to kill the bill.”
Boyer may get his wish. The House voted 102-43 against Graham’s approach, 74-71 against another regulation proposal, and unanimously to turn the proposal to ashes.
Testing and regulation could still prevail, though. Another approach proposed by Sen. Craig Hickman, D-Kennebec, has conciliatory support from some in the medical marijuana community.
Following the ‘ought not to pass’ vote from the House, LD 1847 is off to the Senate, where the upper chamber could vote as early as Monday for any of the three regulation tracks or concur in rejecting the idea.
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