Maine Cannabis History

Both medical and recreational cannabis use are legal in Maine.

In 1979, Maine enacted the Marijuana Therapeutic Research Program to encourage research on the medical benefits of marijuana.

In 2009, voters passed the Maine Medical Marijuana Act, which expanded the state's existing program and decriminalized possession of up to 2.5 ounces of cannabis, and officially established the Maine Medical Use of Marijuana Program (MMMP) and created a system of nonprofit dispensaries and cultivators.

In 2016, Maine voters legalized cannabis for recreational use with the passage of An Act to Legalize Marijuana, allowing adults 21 and older to possess, consume, and cultivate marijuana for personal use.

Maine Child-Resistant Packaging Rules

Maine’s child-resistant packaging and labeling requirements for medical cannabis products are established in 22 M.R.S.A. §2157 . In order to comply with state law, marijuana packaging within the state must include the following:

701. Labeling requirements:

1. Required labeling: Adult use marijuana and adult use marijuana products must be labeled with the following information:
A. The license number of the cultivation facility, the products manufacturing facility, and the marijuana store where the adult use marijuana or marijuana product was cultivated, manufactured if applicable, and offered for sale.
B. An identity statement, a universal symbol and warning labels;
C. The batch number;
D. A net weight statement;
E. Information on the THC potency of the adult use marijuana products and the potency of other such cannabinoids or other chemicals in the marijuana or marijuana products, including, but not limited to, cannabidiol;
F. Information on the amount of THC and cannabidiol per serving of the adult use marijuana or marijuana products, and for edibles, the number of servings per package;
G. Information on gases and solvents used in marijuana extraction;
H. For adult use marijuana products, the amount of marijuana concentrate per serving, as measured in grams, and the amount of marijuana concentrate per package, as measured in grams, a list of ingredients and possible allergens, and a recommended use date or expiration date.
I. For edible marijuana products, a nutritional fact panel;
J. Instructions on usage; and
K. Any other information requried by the department by rule.

702. Packaging requirements:

1. Required packaging. Adult use marijuana and adult use marijuana products must be packaged in the following manner:
A. Adult use marijuana must be prepackaged in child-resistant and tamper-evident packaging, or must be placed in a child-resistant or tamper-evident exit packaging at the point of sale.
B. Packaging for multi-serving liquid adult use marijuana products must include an integral measurement component and a child-resistant cap;
C. Packaging must conform to all other applicable standards and requirements adopted by rule by the department.
703. Labeling and packaging prohibitions
1. Trademarks. Violates a federal trademark law or regulation or would cause a reasonable consumer confusion as to whether the marijuana or marijuana product was a trademarked product;
2. Appeal to persons under 21. Is designed to appeal to a person under 21 years of age.
3. False or deceptive labeling. Obscure identifying information on the label or uses a false or deceptive label.
4. Rules. Violates any other labeling, packaging or health and safety requirement or prohibition imposed by the department.

For more information, please refer to Recreational Marijuana in Maine and Rules Governing the Maine Medical Use of Marijuana Program.

Useful Links for Maine Cannabis Regulations

H.P. 524 - L.D. 719 Maine’s 2019 Amendment establishing regulations for commercial marijuana sales

Maine State Legislature Medical Marijuana Information Portal

Maine Marijuana Laws and Penalties

Maine Office of Marijuana Policy Rules and Regulations

Maine Cannabis Growers Application

Maine Office of Marijuana Policy Applications and Forms

Editor's Note: Status as of 4/1/2021

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Cannabis Rules & Regulations: Maine

Maine Cannabis History

Maine Child-Resistant Packaging Rules

Useful Links for Maine Cannabis Regulations

Maine Cannabis Growers Application