recreational marijuana

The citizen's initiative also seeks to impose strict testing and tracking requirements on Maine's medical marijuana industry. But first, the proponents will have to gather enough signatures to send the issue to voters.

In 1989, Christen founded Maine Vocals — a grassroots organization dedicated to ending marijuana prohibition. The group started protests, music festivals and was a force behind a state referendum in 1999 to legalize weed for medical use.

An amendment to the bill that reopened the government included a provision to effectively ban hemp derived-THC drinks, gummies and other products.

Growth has slowed as the market stabilizes, and sales are disproportionately concentrated in southern and western Maine.

A dozen other states have taken steps to create a licensing framework for so-called "cannabis hospitality" businesses.

The office issued its first ever product recalls this fall.

The Maine Office of Cannabis Policy recall applies to a strain of flower sold at several dispensaries last month.

While the term is broad and still being defined, in other states it can refer to businesses that offer the sale and onsite consumption of recreational marijuana.

Through November, adult use recreational marijuana sales were just shy of $200 million.

According to data from Maine's Office of Cannabis Policy, nearly $159 million dollars of cannabis products were sold in 2022. That's compared to nearly $82 million the year before.