An Act to Tax and Regulate Marijuana

Bill Overview Personal

Makes the use and possession of limited amounts of marijuana legal for adults 21 years of age or older. Limits personal possession to 2.5 ounces and six plants, plus the marijuana grown from those plans, if possessed where grown. Prohibits public smoking of marijuana. Personal cultivation of marijuana must occur in an indoor or outdoor enclosed, locked space. Allows transfer from one adult to another adult without compensation.

Commercial
Establishes four types of licenses: cultivator, marijuana product producers, retailers and labs. A person may have multiple licenses, except for laboratories. Excise tax of $50/ounce imposed on cultivation facilities. Caps licenses fees at $5,000 Authorizes for local regulation, bans and restrictions on the number of each kind of marijuana licensee. Retail licenses are allocated by population, similar to Maine's current liquor allocation, with roughly half the licenses in each population category.

Tax Revenue
10% for implementation of the act, to the Marijuana Regulation and Licensing Fund. 10% towards substance abuse programs. 5% to a new marijauna research fund (first eight years of the law.) 75% of tax revenue directed to the general fund.

Miscellanous
If passed, the bill will go to the people of Maine for approval via referendum. Marijuana resin/concentrate included in the bill. Allows for cultivation of industrialized hemp. Specifies the bill does not affect or limit the current medical marijuana law Authorizes cities and towns to license marijuana establishments if state does not. Regulated by the Department of Administrative and Financial Services, including an MOU agreement with law enforcement for inspections.