The governor wants to give a committee more time to resolve deficiencies in the program before implementing new caregiver and processor regulations.

Without access to traditional banking, marijuana businesses don’t have a place to deposit their money, increasing the risk of criminal activity and preventing the tracking of financial data.

The move is intended to shore up political support for implementing recreational marijuana rules, but advocates say it ignores the will of Maine voters.

At a hearing in Augusta, lawmakers hear several ideas for containing big caregiver operations while leaving small operators alone.

But U.S. Attorney Halsey Frank acknowledges that drug possession cases ‘have not been a priority.’