Law enforcement experts say cheap, sometimes tainted weed grown by Chinese criminal groups is getting into the state’s medical market. Business owners say it’s cratering market rates and pushing reputable growers out of the industry.
maine office of cannabis policy
Posted inBusiness, Local & State, News
Maine won’t require medical cannabis to be tested for contaminants — this year
State lawmakers carried over a bill that would have added testing and tracking requirements industry members have fought against for years. They will reconsider the proposal next year.
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Posted inLocal & State, Maine Crime, News, Politics
How a former lawmaker grew weed with alleged Chinese crime groups in rural Maine
A web of shell companies and illegal grows allegedly linked to Chinese organized crime traces its start to one former Democratic legislator, his cannabis consulting business, and his chain of central Maine dispensaries.
Posted inBusiness, Local & State, News, Politics
Medical cannabis industry organizes against Maine proposals to test for mold, track plants
Maine is the only state in the country that doesn’t mandate testing for mold, yeast, chemicals or heavy metal in its medical marijuana. The state’s medical growers are fighting to keep it that way.
Posted inBusiness, Local & State, News, Politics
Industry-backed lawmakers lead effort to further loosen regulation of medical cannabis in Maine
Maine’s medical marijuana laws are already among the loosest in the country. Two key lawmakers are pushing to ease regulations further after receiving financial support from the industry.
Posted inBusiness, Local & State, News, Politics
Bill seeks to give Maine legislators final approval over chief of cannabis office
State officials say the legislation unfairly singles out the Office of Cannabis Policy and undermines the executive branch, while supporters say it’s an important step in restoring trust and transparency for the industry.
Posted inLocal & State, Maine Crime, News
Illegal grow houses have been entering Maine’s medical weed market for years, even after being busted by police
Four years ago, state officials first investigated a ‘prohibited collective’ of medical caregivers and illegal grow houses identical to the ones later raided by police. Now, 1 in 10 Maine caregivers exhibits the hallmarks of those same operations.
Posted inHealth, Local & State, News, Politics
Maine lawmakers, public health advocates seek tighter oversight of medical cannabis
The state’s medical market lacks the same safeguards for contaminant testing as its recreational counterpart.
Posted inBusiness, Local & State, News
Maine inches toward allowing cannabis ‘social clubs’
The idea, approved by voters in 2016, is picking up steam with a new report recommending how to regulate ‘cannabis hospitality establishments.’
Posted inLocal & State, Maine Crime, News
Meet the man helping Maine’s illegal weed growers get licenses
‘I would not smoke my clients’ stuff,’ said the Brooklyn man helping Chinese immigrants become caregivers, adding that he hopes to improve their practices.