Press Article: Maine Lawmakers Push for Medical Cannabis Testing Standards
AUGUSTA — The Maine State House was abuzz on Monday as lawmakers debated two pivotal bills aimed at implementing new testing requirements for the state’s medical cannabis industry. Currently, while recreational cannabis must undergo testing for harmful contaminants like pesticides, mold, and heavy metals, medical cannabis is exempt from such rules.
Matt Wellington, associate director of the Maine Public Health Association, emphasized the necessity for change. “These products are used by folks across Maine to manage health conditions,” he stated, advocating for consumer safety amid concerns about potential health risks from untested products. Statistics from the Maine Office of Cannabis Policy revealed that 42% of medical cannabis samples tested in 2023 contained at least one contaminant that would fail adult-use standards.
However, the proposed legislation has met resistance from some medical cannabis growers and patients. Derek Shirley, a patient and active advocate, expressed concerns that new testing regulations would impose financial burdens on small farmers, who are already struggling to maintain operations. “We believe this is an attack method to destroy the remaining small businesses and farmers,” he declared, noting a significant decline in registered caregivers—from over 3,000 to 1,600.
The two bills under consideration include LD 104, which mandates testing for medical cannabis, and LD 1847, which encompasses additional tracking, tracing, and safety features for edible products. Rep. Marc Malon (D-Biddeford), who sponsors LD 104 at the request of the state’s cannabis policy office, highlighted Maine’s unique position, being the only state without testing for medical cannabis.
The Veterans and Legal Affairs Committee plans to revisit the bills in a future work session, aiming to strike a balance between consumer safety and the viability of Maine’s medical cannabis market.
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