Bill > LD1609

This bill aims to prevent individuals and companies with links to organized crime from participating in Maine's medical and adult-use cannabis programs by establishing strict licensing and registration restrictions. The bill requires the Department of Administrative and Financial Services and the Office of Cannabis Policy to deny or revoke licenses and registrations for any person or business identified by state or federal law enforcement as being associated with organized crime within the past 5 years. Specifically, this includes prohibiting registration for manufacturing facilities, caregivers, dispensaries, and cannabis business principals if they or their physical locations have been linked to organized crime. If a licensee or registrant is found to have such an association, their license or registration will be revoked for 5 years, and they will be required to cease all cannabis-related activities. The bill mandates regular communication between cannabis regulatory offices and law enforcement to identify and track potential organized crime connections. Additionally, any principal whose individual identification card is revoked due to organized crime associations is prohibited from reapplying for any cannabis-related licenses or registrations in the future, though they may have an opportunity to transfer or remove their ownership interests in a cannabis business.

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https://legislature.maine.gov/legis/bills/display_ps.asp?LD=1609&snum=132