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Due to equipment upgrades, WMHD (Greenville) and WBSQ (Monson) will be shut off during the daytime hours for the duration of this week.

The rapid growth of the cannabis industry in Maine, and how the state is regulating adult-use and medicinal marijuana

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The director of Maine’s Office of Cannabis Policy discusses the rapidly growing cannabis industry. In 2021, gross sales of recreational cannabis reached about $82 million. We will discuss the economic impact of this explosive growth, and hear about a state report that finds that the legal cannabis market has reduced illicit sales. We’ll also learn about developments in the supply and demand of medical marijuana.

Panelists:
Erik Gundersen, director, Maine Office of Cannabis Policy within the Department of Administrative and Financial Services.

VIP Callers:
Michael Sofis, senior scientist, Advocates for Human Potential
Hannah King, partner, Dentons law firm; specializing in cannabis law
Alysia Melnick, attorney, Bernstein Shur; representing the Maine Craft Cannabis Association; served as political director for the 2016 citizens' initiative that made cannabis legal for all adults 21 and over; member of Maine’s Marijuana Advisory Commission
John F. Kilbride, chief, Falmouth Police Department; chair, Law Enforcement Cannabis Working Group

For the listening tour: https://www.maine.gov/dafs/ocp/news-events/news/statewide-cannabis-community-listening-tour-travel-maine

Maine Cannabis Program Report: https://www.maine.gov/dafs/ocp/news-events/news/maine-office-cannabis-policy-report-cannabis-program-shows-success-launch

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Jonathan was born in Monsey, New York. A field trip to Washington, DC when he was in 7th grade started him on his circuitous path to a career in public radio. The trip inspired a love of politics and led to his desire to one day call DC home. After graduating from Grinnell College, he worked on a couple of campaigns in Iowa (presidential and congressional) and moved to Washington, DC.