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Maine Archives - Green Market Report

Debra BorchardtOctober 9, 2020
Maine.jpg

Business

Maine Begins Recreational Cannabis Sales Today

8min5260

It’s been a long and winding road for full legalization in the state of Maine, but that is ending. Sales are set to begin on October 9. Maine’s ballot initiative measure to legalize marijuana for adults and establish a regulated marijuana market passed back in November 2016, along with three other states — California, Massachusetts, and Nevada. Maine is the last of those states to launch adult-use retail sales. 

Marijuana has been legal for adults 21 and older to grow and share in Maine since January 30, 2017. The legislation to legalize adult-use cannabis was signed into law by Gov. Janet Mills on June 27, 2019. Maine’s adult-use marijuana regulation law can be found here.

“The delays were unfortunate and unnecessary, but in the end, we’ve succeeded in replacing prohibition with a thoughtful policy that legalizes, regulates, and taxes marijuana sales for adults 21 and over,” said Marijuana Policy Project Deputy Director Matthew Schweich, one of the leaders of the 2016 campaign.

The new law states that adults 21 years of age or older with a valid ID will be able to 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.

Brian Lauvray, Head of Development and Strategy with the cannabis consulting company MMLG has been in the state assisting companies. He said,”Maine represents a very reasonable entry point for companies looking to move to the east coast. While it’s highly unlikely that the state will ever be a Colorado or California from a sales and revenue standpoint, Maine offers operators numerous tourist-dense markets, one substantial year-round market in Portland, plus towns such as Lewiston and Bangor.” He noted that only 10% of municipalities have opted in thus far. “Operators who get in now will have the leg up on future licensing opportunities as new markets come online in the Pine Tree State,” he added. 

Lauvray also pointed out that Portland is expected to be Maine’s largest market with about 540,000 in the metro area and that once the program gets established it will serve as a waypoint for tourists going further “down east.” “It really will be a win for any operators looking to gain an east coast foothold. However, Portland applicants will almost certainly miss the deadline for state licenses being awarded starting next month in advance of recreational sales opening on 10/9.” (Portland’s city application deadline is 8/31.)

In addition to just making the license deadline, Lauray said that when state licenses begin to be handed out in September and the official date for rec-use sales opening, there’s a possibility that many retailers may have limited supplies for consumers initially. “So, for consumers, operators and investors, a hefty spoonful of “expectation management” may be the order for this fall. But in the long term, Maine will be a healthy market.”

Wellness Connection of Maine (WCM), the state’s largest medical cannabis provider launched HighNorth, a Maine-centric lifestyle brand designed to meet the future needs of Maine’s recreational cannabis market. WCM created HighNorth to bridge the transition between Maine’s existing medical market and the future adult-use market.

 “Maine is known for its pristine waters, open air and majestic coastline – our goal with HighNorth was to embody the State’s brand within the cannabis industry,” says Charlie Langston, Managing Director of WCM. “We hope that locals and tourists alike think about HighNorth when they hike Acadia, ski a Maine mountain or plan a whitewater rafting trip.” 

 “Soon enjoying cannabis will be as normal as having a beer,” WCM Marketing Manager Susanne Pingree says. “Maine’s microbrewers have set a strong example of how colorful, fun and savvy branding enhances the customer experience –  and that’s what we want our customers to feel too.” 

It is clear that the Maine market is one for companies that have a long-term vision. Cannapreneur Partners Co-CEO Todd Sullivan said, “Maine’s upcoming adult-use program is not without its hurdles. It has taken roughly four years to launch since residents voted for legalization. Reasons for these setbacks include opposition from the former governor, opt-in decisions by municipalities and local authority issues, residency requirements, and of course, the COVID-19 pandemic. In addition to these obstacles, litigation at the state level and in Portland (Maine’s largest city) continued to throw wrenches into the mix. Our hope is that Maine will work to decrease many of the current regulatory barriers. These regulations disproportionately impact entrepreneurs in the state while favoring large MSOs that have the financial means and time needed to obtain licenses.”

Sullivan went on to say, “From an investment point of view, we see a lot of potential in Maine’s cannabis marketplace given the launch of their adult-use program and the low operating costs, although close attention to the rapidly changing landscape is necessary. In major hubs such as Portland, many businesses quickly invested in store locations and have been paying rent while waiting for the program to commence. The long wait, plus license caps, local authority issues, zoning laws and a license scoring system that has historically favored big players create some unique pain points within the state’s growing industry.”

“Maine was a tough campaign,” said MPP’s Schweich. “We overcame a difficult signature drive. Then we had to fight in court to ensure qualification for the ballot. It was a real team effort that culminated in a well-earned victory on Election Day.”

 


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Debra BorchardtAugust 17, 2020
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Business

Maine Sets October 9 For Recreational Sales

7min4220

Maine’s Office of Marijuana Policy announced that retail sales of adult-use marijuana to consumers 21 years of age or older will be permitted starting on Friday, October 9, 2020. The office, which is a part of the Maine Department of Administrative and Financial Services, intends to issue the first active licenses to recreational cannabis businesses on Tuesday, September 8, 2020.

“The public’s health and safety are at the forefront of every decision we make at the Office of Marijuana Policy,” said OMP Director Erik Gundersen. “While we were poised to launch this new industry earlier this year, we were unwilling to sacrifice the high standards we have set for this program by launching during an emerging public health pandemic and in the absence of a testing facility. With the support of the public health community, municipalities across the state, and the industry we regulate, we have used the last few months to ensure this new industry is introduced to Maine consumers in a manner that is as responsible as possible.”

The department said that the issuance of active licenses will continue the Office of Marijuana Policy’s structured rollout of Maine’s emerging adult-use industry, which had been indefinitely postponed in April in response to the COVID-19 pandemic. While it isn’t a big state with regards to population, it is still seen as one that could be profitable for businesses. The recent BDSA Arcview State of Legalized Marijuana Report stated, “There are several small states like Maine, New Mexico and Rhode Island that will also pay off for operators on a smaller scale. That happens when what is typically a consumer base of 2% or less of the population with medical cars suddenly becomes 20%-plus of adults that consumer cannabis.”  Maine’s cannabis sales are forecasted to reach $314 million by 2025, putting it on par with Alaska which is forecast to reach $325 million.

Getting Licensed in Maine

Getting a license in Maine is a three-step application process that also includes conditional licensure and local authorization, respectively. An active license is required for adult-use establishments to come into possession, process, and sell adult-use marijuana, including initiating plant transfers from Maine’s existing medical marijuana program.

The statement read, “It is expected adult-use licensees will utilize the time between active licensure and Maine’s retail sales launch date to harvest and process marijuana, ensure those products satisfy the mandatory testing requirements, and move product through the supply chain to stock retail store shelves.”

Voters legalized adult-use cannabis in 2016 and state legislators originally planned legal sales to begin in February 2018. Governor LaPage fought to keep that from happening and when he was replaced by voters with Janet Mills, the process was reenergized. She took over the Governor’s role in January 2019 and signed a bill defining the program in June 2019.

“Today’s announcement is a major milestone in honoring the will of Maine voters and a significant step toward launching a new industry in the state,” added Gundersen. “Many of the business owners we have spoken with during the application process are ready and eager to commence operations.”

Maine’s Process

The application process required by the adult-use law requires state regulators to review application materials for form and substance, with an eye toward details such as ensuring that all applicants have completed their required state and federal criminal history record checks; that the establishment’s operation, facility, and security plans satisfy the requirements of both the Marijuana Legalization Act and the adult-use program rule; and that the designated host municipality has provided the applicant with authorization to conduct business in their community.

OMP expects to issue licenses in each of the four categories of adult-use establishments: cultivation, product manufacturing, retail sale, and testing. Information on the specific number of licenses issued and the identities of active licensees will be made available on Tuesday, September 8, 2020.

The Mills Administration created OMP within DAFS in February 2019. The Office is responsible for the oversight of all aspects of legalized marijuana, including Maine’s existing Medical Use of Marijuana Program.

Feds Still Unhappy

Despite the legalization efforts in the state, it seems the Federal Bureau of Investigations (FBI) isn’t too happy about the cannabis companies. A few weeks ago the Bangor Daily News reported that Homegrown Connection and Narrow Gauge Distributors in Farmington were raided by agents claiming “court-authorized activity” in connection with an ongoing investigation. The report said agents, “could be seen piling what appeared to be marijuana plants outside the back of one of those locations. More than 14 state police cruisers were there, as well as unmarked vehicles from several New England states, according to the Sun Journal.”

The article stated that, “Both businesses are linked to Luke Sirois of Rangeley, who is the registered agent for Narrow Gauge Distributors in documents filed with the Maine secretary of state and has owned the Homegrown Connection for roughly a decade.” He is described as “a strong and vocal advocate for public policy.”


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Debra BorchardtJune 24, 2019
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Business

BioTrack THC Adds New Hampshire To Its Roster of States

5min3230

BioTrackTHC has been awarded a contract by the New Hampshire Department of Health and Human Services  to provide its Therapeutic Cannabis Program Patient Registry System to electronically process and track patient and caregiver card applications. BioTrack is a subsidiary of Helix TCS, Inc. (OTCQB: HLIX)

According to the statement. BioTrack has a separate contract with all of the New Hampshire Alternative Treatment Centers, referred to as “dispensaries” in most states, for seed to sale inventory tracking. The contract’s life is through December 31, 2021 and is valued at $400,000. With the addition of this contract, BioTrackTHC provides government cannabis regulatory technology to 10 U.S. states and territories and was recently awarded seed to sale traceability contract extensions in Illinois, Hawaii, and Delaware.

“Our platform of critical infrastructure services has a proven track record in creating streamlined, transparent, and secure cannabis programs as we have demonstrated by empowering some of the soundest programs in the country,” said Moe Afaneh, COO of BioTrackTHC. “We look forward to providing New Hampshire with the same level of industry-leading technology, service, and peace of mind that has made our other contract partners so successful.”

Maine

Last month, Maine’s Office of Marijuana Policy announced the conditional award of a contract for marijuana track and trace services to Bio-Tech Medical Software, Inc. Once a contract is successfully negotiated, OMP said it will deploy BioTrackTHC to track the growth and distribution of marijuana and marijuana products throughout Maine.

“The selection of BioTrackTHC as Maine’s seed-to-sale tracking software is another important milestone for the Office of Marijuana Policy,” said OMP Director Erik Gundersen. “BioTrackTHC will be used by individuals and businesses choosing to participate in both the medical and recreational programs. We look forward to utilizing their solution to effectivity regulate both industries.”

The State of Maine said it received proposals from six interested parties in response to a request for proposals (RFP) #201903049. Bidders for this procurement included BioMauris, BioTrackTHC, Dauntless, Visual Vault, Metrc, and MJ Freeway. Out of a possible 100 points, the RFP review team gave BioTrackTHC’s proposal a score of 90 points. Bidders were scored on organizational qualifications and experience, proposed services, and cost. The next closest bidder was Metrc, with 69.73 points.

According to the state’s announcement, OMP announced in March that it had withdrawn from a contract agreement with Metrc to provide track and trace services for Maine’s medical program. Original plans had called for expanding that agreement to adult use marijuana later; however, the Office of the Attorney General advised OMP staff that a competitive procurement for the services would be a more appropriate alternative.

“As the legal cannabis industry expands into new markets and the global industry matures, technology that facilitates transparency and product quality are essential to ensuring safety among the communities and longevity of the industry,” said Zachary L. Venegas, Executive Chairman and CEO of Helix TCS, Inc. “We have proven our ability to empower safe and accountable cannabis programs and look forward to seeing more states start down the path of legal cannabis.”


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