Both the Maine House and Senate passed a bill that will provide the framework for recreational marijuana use and sales in Maine. Both chambers passed the bill with veto-proof majorities. The bill, somewhat more restrictive than the bill Governor LePage vetoed last year, eliminates social clubs, internet sales, delivery, and drive through window sales. The bill, as amended, also makes clear that marijuana is limited to adult use, and will eliminate the so-called gifting loophole. It also extends the residency requirement to four years for those seeking the first licenses to sell recreational marijuana, and cuts the number of plants an individual may possess from six to three. It also raises the effective tax rate from 10 to 20 percent, and directs 6 percent of those taxes collected to law enforcement. (All of the tax revenue continues to go to the state, however; none is retained by the locality in which the tax is collected). At present, the first licenses for recreational marijuana sales should be issued in the Spring of 2019, subject to local regulation (or prohibition).

The text of the bill may be viewed at http://legislature.maine.gov/bills/display_ps.asp?PID=1456&snum=128&paper=HP1199.