Legal cannabis sales begin in Maine!

Nearly four years after Maine voters approved cannabis legalization at the ballot box, the will of the people will finally go into full effect today as legal marijuana sales for adults begin!

Adults 21 years of age or older with a valid ID can purchase up to 2.5 ounces of a combination of marijuana and marijuana concentrate that includes no more than five grams of marijuana concentrate. It remains illegal to consume marijuana in public spaces. Maine municipalities must opt in to the adult-use program by locally allowing for marijuana establishments. More details on Maine’s adult-use marijuana regulation law can be found here.

According to the Portland Press Herald’s "Things to know before you go" guide, seven retail stores have been authorized by the state to sell cannabis to adult consumers. The guide offers several other useful pointers on navigating the new retail market.

With today’s launch of Maine’s retail cannabis market, 10 states have now successfully implemented cannabis regulation laws. In an 11th state — Vermont — Gov. Phil Scott signed a bill into law Wednesday to add regulated sales to existing legislation that legalized personal possession and cultivation.

MPP spearheaded the successful 2016 Yes on 1 legalization campaign in Maine and played a central role in the coalitions that passed initiatives to legalize and regulate marijuana in Colorado, Alaska, Massachusetts, Michigan, and Nevada. Currently, MPP staff are playing an important role in the 2020 legalization ballot initiatives in Montana and South Dakota.

Although the delays in Maine were unfortunate and unnecessary, we’ve succeeded in replacing prohibition with a thoughtful policy that legalizes, regulates, and taxes marijuana sales for adults in Maine.

A victory for Maine. A victory for marijuana reform in our country.