Maine Marijuana License: How to Apply

Maine Marijuana License

A Maine Marijuana License is a legal document that allows its holder to commercialize or otherwise work with cannabis in the state of Maine. Though adult-use marijuana was legalized in 2016, Maine did not establish regulations for commercial sales until 2019, when Gov. Janet Mills signed LD 719 to approve a ruleset.

Maine’s Office of Marijuana Policy (OMP) is in charge of the licensing process of the adult-use marijuana establishments. The first licenses were issued in September, 2020, and sales began in October of the same year.

Maine residents who are at least 21 years of age or older and have a valid government-issued id are allowed to possess up to 2.5 ounces (70 grams) of cannabis or 2.5 ounces of a combination of cannabis and concentrate that includes no more than 5 grams of concentrate.

Adults are allowed to lawfully possess and cultivate up to three mature marijuana plants, 12 immature plants and unlimited seedlings. Plants must be tagged with the cultivator’s name, driver’s license or ID number, and if the plants are not on land owned by the cultivator, the name of the property owner.

What are the types of Maine marijuana licenses?

According to the state’s legislation, there are currently five type of marijuana licenses in Maine:

What are the steps to apply for a Maine marijuana license

Conditional licensure

All applicants must submit to a criminal history records check, and each applicant for a license will be required to obtain an OMP-issued Individual Identification Card (IIC). Within 90 days of having submitted all application forms and required attachments, the OMP will either deny the license or issue a non-renewable conditional license valid for one year.

Local authorization

In order to be eligible for an active license, all conditional licensees must seek local authorization at the municipality they are operating in. The municipality will have 90 days to determine the request and then send an approved local authorization form directly to the OMP. Within 10 days of receiving an approved local authorization form, the OMP will request supplemental information and updated documents from the applicant.

Active licensure

Supplemental information required for the issuance of an active license includes evidence of compliance with all electrical and permitting requirements and appropriate tax information and documents. Upon satisfaction that all requirements have been met, OMP will invoice the applicant for the licensing fee. Once payment is received, OMP will issue an active license that is valid for one year.

General licensing criteria

According to Maine’s Marijuana Legalization Act, any application for a cannabis establishment license has to comply with each of the following requirements: