Maine legislators have postponed a bill aimed at implementing testing and tracking requirements for the state’s medical cannabis industry until 2026. Currently, Maine is the only state that does not mandate testing for medical cannabis products, while adult-use cannabis must undergo testing for contaminants and potency.
A report from the Maine Office of Cannabis Policy revealed concerning statistics: about 45% of cannabis products in Maine’s medical market would not meet the standards required for recreational cannabis. The proposed legislation, known as Legislative Document 104, sought to establish a comprehensive testing framework that included seed-to-sale tracking and standardized testing for chemicals, mold, and heavy metals for both medical and recreational cannabis.
The bill was not passed, but attention will shift to another measure, LD 1847, which is set to be considered next year. This bill aims to implement similar testing protocols and also proposes potency caps for edible products.
Democratic Representative Anne Graham, the sponsor of LD 1847, emphasized the necessity for robust regulations. She stated, “I have listened to and read testimony, and I’ve worked with public health advocates to ensure that the medical cannabis industry survives and can be regulated effectively, so patients can trust the safety and potency of the products they purchase.”
Before the committee deferred the bill, it received around 1,000 written testimonies criticizing the current lack of testing in Maine’s cannabis market, raising questions about the state’s standards. Jennifer Belcher, President of the Maine Cannabis Union, warned that if either proposed bill passes as currently written, it could jeopardize the state’s medical marijuana program.
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