PORTLAND (WGME) — If you want to get into the recreational marijuana business in Maine, now’s the time to apply.
The race is on to apply for recreational marijuana licenses.
“We are on our way to pay for our licensing right now, and hope to be one of the first to submit,” Jackson McLeod of Atlantic Farms said.
In some communities, including Portland, there will likely be a limit on the number of retail stores allowed.
“Right now, the city staff is recommending that there’s a cap of 20 retail licenses,” McLeod said.
There’s another reason to get moving on your applications to grow, manufacture and sell recreational marijuana.
In some Maine communities, recreational marijuana licenses will be awarded on a first come, first serve basis. So it’s no surprise businesses are getting their applications in quickly, to try and make sure to they’re at the top of the list.
There’s also a lot of money is riding on these applications, but the founder of the Maine Craft Cannabis Association, an applicant himself, advises people not to panic, as they fill out what can be hundreds of pages of documents to apply for a license.
“Cover your security plan,” Mark Barnett of Higher Grounds said. “Cover your basics for how you’re going to operate your business, and if your financials and everything are sort of in order, it’s not such a panic moment. You know, everyone’s kind of freaking out, and I think it’s just take a deep breath and realize it’s another step in the path.”
As for when the first retail stores might open for adult-use recreational marijuana?
Applicants say it maybe March, but more likely, May or June.
“Nothing’s ever going to be perfect,” Tom Mourmouras of Fire on Fore said. “I think it’s important to get the program going, and I think with the people we have in place at OMP, I think they’re willing to work with the industry.”
Applications for marijuana testing facilities were released two weeks ago.
H/T: WGME