Maine Cannabis License Solutions

The Cannabis License Experts (or CLE) experienced team will allow you to get your Maine Cannabis License faster and with an unmatched success rate. Having to repeat your Maine Marijuana License application process will set your business back by months and significantly impact your earnings potential. Let us show you how we’ll help you on your path to growing marijuana in Maine and much more by booking your free Maine cannabis consultation today.

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Market Overview - Maine Cannabis

Leading the path towards legalization on the East Coast, Maine cannabis was originally legalized in 1999 and later adult-use Maine cannabis in 2016. Maine’s new recreational marijuana market posted more than $70 million in sales in its first full year. With growers and retailers hoping 2022 brings more expansion for the industry as more stores open and prices drop. However, a number of factors are likely to limit that growth including a federal prohibitions effect for the use of banks and an overall small number of local municipalities which currently allow sales. Concerns of oversaturation of marijuana shops and a still competitive illicit market top this list for existing and interested Maine cannabis license holders. Maine voters approved the recreational use, retail sale and taxation of Maine marijuana in November 2016 with the Marijuana Legalization Act (MLA). Following two legislative rewrites of the MLA and two gubernatorial vetoes, LD 1719 An Act To Implement a Regulatory Structure for Adult Use Maine Marijuana became law. In May 2019, the Office formally proposed rules for Maine’s adult use program.

Book a free consultation today to learn more about how Cannabis License Experts can assist you and your team on the path to growing marijuana in Maine with a Maine cannabis license.

Maine Cannabis License Requirements, Timelines, and Selection

OMP is currently engaged in licensing adult-use marijuana establishments through the process required by the MLA and program rule. The Maine cannabis application window is currently open with applications being accepted on a rolling basis. The first active adult use establishment Maine cannabis licenses were issued in 2020. The law outlines several requirements for getting any adult-use Maine marijuana license. Any person and any officer, director, and manager of a business must be 21 or older. The state will do a criminal history check on every person applying for a Maine cannabis license and every person connected to a business license. This will include employees, contractors, owners, managers, officers, and support staff. Criminal convictions for certain felony drug offenses and crimes involving dishonesty, deception, misappropriation, or fraud (such as embezzlement and theft) will cause disqualification. However, the licensing agency will look at rehabilitation, character references, educational success, and the length of time since the conviction for non-drug offenses. IRS and Maine income tax returns for the four years before the Maine cannabis license application are also required. Unpaid tax liens levied within five years of the application date will cause the Maine cannabis license applicant to be disqualified. Any business applying for a Maine cannabis license must be incorporated or formed under Maine law. The Office of Marijuana Policy (OMP) within the Department of Administrative and Financial Services (DAFS) oversees the state's cannabis program.

The Maine cannabis applications consist of three parts:
1. Business application.
2. Local authorization.
3. Inherently hazardous substances authorization.
All complete Maine cannabis applications received by the department submitted during the application period will be approved or denied within one hundred fifty (150) days of that Maine cannabis application’s complete submission. Even though state law includes a four-year residency requirement for Maine cannabis license holders, the Office of Marijuana Policy is no longer enforcing the requirement.

Hear from Our Successful Clients

Some of the World’s Largest Brands have Trusted CLE to Support their Cannabis Journey.

5 Star Google Reviews

Matthew Caton Yield Cannab

Canna License Experts, and their team were retained by our company to help us along the way with a retail canna license. Brian Wolf along with Kalpna Mistry and their team of experts were there the entire way through the process. Thanks again to Brian and Kalpna for all you support from our family at YIELD Cannab Co.

Lin Yan GMLL Pharma

We have contacted a few licensing company before I decided to contact with Canna licensing Experts. So far I think I have made the right choice and I am happy with the work they have done for us. The team answer questions promptly and never leave us alone. Not to mention their charge are reasonable comparing the similar type of consulting company and quality of their job.

Joseph Dow Dow Testing Labs

Brian and Kalpna at Cannabis License Experts were very pleasant, informative, and knowledgeable regarding licensing. They helped us fill out all the forms needed and guided us through the entire process. I am sure that without their guidance our application would still be in process, or have been dismissed because of some missing information.

Growing Marijuana in Maine? Maine Cannabis License - Financial Requirements

Common for most jurisdictions as a mandatory component of the Maine cannabis application is the requirement for a minimum amount of liquid cash on hand. This is to ensure that applicants have the financial wherewithal from the Maine cannabis licensing process through the initial 2-5 years of operation. Maine’s commercial grow license application fees vary depending on the Maine cannabis license type and tier. When you apply to become a Maine cannabis cultivator, expect the application fees and plant canopy fees to increase with the Tier level. Applying for a Tier 1 Maine cannabis license will range from outdoor to indoor pricing: $9-$17 a plant or $250-$500 and an initial $100 application fee. Tier 2 Maine cannabis licenses are allowed up to 2,000 square feet of plant canopy.

Maine Cannabis License Types

Recognized Maine Marijuana license types are listed below:

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Total # Maine Marijuane Licenses
Maine Cannabis Cultivation	214
Maine Cannabis Manufacturing	116
Maine Cannabis Store	1337
Maine Cannabis Testing	5
Basic Demographic Information
Resources include the US Census Bureau, City-Data.com, and any additional relevant resources.
Total # of Counties	16
Total # of Cities/Towns	488 cities, towns, and villages, and 232 special districts
County population in 2019	66,215

City of Portland

Median Age

$58

Medial Income

$334K

Median Home Price

$1250/Month

Fair Market Rent

Maine Cannabis - Business Climate

Many national organizations compile and publish state-level business climate rankings or “indexes.” These indexes are based on measures of state policies and other factors that are thought to affect the health of businesses and hence the economic prosperity of a state. These indexes tend to fall into two groups, those that consider the business climate in terms of productivity, including measures of the quality of life and human capital, and those that emphasize taxes, regulations, and other costs of doing business.

Real Estate & Zoning

Consideration for regional and local zoning with regard to allowed proximity to certain Maine marijuana business types, schools, and other prohibited areas. All marijuana establishments (Medical & Adult Use) are required to apply for land use approval. Other approvals may be required in order for you to operate your Maine cannabis establishment. Please contact a Community Planner listed below to discuss what approvals may be necessary and for a copy of the Planning Board application. Marijuana establishments and marijuana signs and advertisements may not be located within 1,000 feet of a pre-existing school, unless the municipality has elected to implement a smaller buffer zone, which must be at least 500 feet.

Frequently Asked Questions

What is commercial cannabis cultivation and processing?

Cannabis cultivation is the process of growing cannabis within a regulated environment for the consumption via a medical or adult-use cannabis program. Generally cultivation refers to the agricultural activities associated with the propagation and growing of cannabis. Cannabis processing is when you manufacture finished cannabis products, packaging of dried flowers or manufacture and package cannabis-based products (i.e. extracts, edibles, and topicals). To be able to produce cannabis and cannabis derived products commercially a specific license is required, requirements depend on the state in which you are locating this business.

Who regulates cannabis in Maine?

The Maine Department of Administrative and Financial Services Office of Marijuana Policy (OMP) has been created to oversee the licensing and regulation of cannabis in the state.

Can local municipalities ban cannabis in Maine?

Yes, cities and towns in Maine can ban cannabis facilities from operation in their jurisdiction through ordinances. As of September 2021, it was reported that only 47 out of Maine 500 cities and towns allow cannabis operations.

Do I need to be a resident of Maine to obtain a dispensary license?

In May of 2020 Maine updated the licensing requirements dropping the requirement that licensees be residents of the state. Currently you do not need to be a resident of Maine to obtain licensure for adult use cannabis businesses.

Are dispensaries and caregiver retail stores the same thing?

Until the legalization of adult use cannabis and later the establishment of adult use facility licensing, dispensaries were required to register as nonprofit entities. The biggest difference between the two is the allowable amount of plants a dispensary can grow is greater.

One-Stop Business Solutions Provider

When you partner with CLE, you are able to leverage our proven knowledge and best industry resources to provide you a complete Cannabis Business Solution.

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Applying for a Maine cannabis license and unsure where to start?

Applications for a cannabis license in Maine are accepted on a rolling basis at the state level. Our Maine Cannabis License Experts can help guide you through the Maine cannabis licensing process from start to finish both at the state and local level. Not sure where to start? CLE can develop a preliminary business and feasibility plan to help give an understanding of your business viability within the local climate.

In order to get started, reach out to one of our regulatory experts today to learn more about Cannabis Business Solutions.