Legislation Introduced to Improve Testing and Safety of Medical Cannabis in Maine
Recently introduced legislation in Maine focuses on testing and safety for medical cannabis in the state.
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A May 8, 2025, news release announced the introduction of new legislation, LD 1847, in Maine, presented in a hearing on May 5 before the Veterans and Legal Affairs Committee (1). The legislation, titled "An Act to Institute Testing and Tracking of Medical Use Cannabis and Cannabis Products Similar to Adult Use Cannabis and Cannabis Products, Dedicate a Portion of the Adult Use Cannabis Sales and Excise Tax to Medical Use Cannabis Programs and Create a Study Group," was presented by Representative Anne Graham (2).
In summary, there are several main objectives of the bill. The first is to apply the same testing and tracking systems for medical cannabis products as are currently in place for recreational cannabis. Testing would include potency, mold, arsenic, lead, and per- and polyfluoroalkyl substances (PFAS). Next, a portion of the taxes from adult use cannabis would be used to fund public health and safety awareness for medical cannabis product use and sales. Additionally, gummy edibles must be in blister packages to decrease the risk of accidental ingestion. Finally, the bill aims to establish a group to study medical and recreational cannabis consumption in the state by individuals under 21, as well as the science on the effects of cannabis on health and development of youth, plus ways to improve the data on and reporting to the Legislature on youth cannabis use.
The news release cited a Maine Integrated Youth Health Survey from 2023 that found a 21% increase in cannabis-related emergency department visits for youths from 2019 to 2020. The survey also stated that 9% of middle school student had used cannabis at least once.
As stated in testimony from the Maine Public Health Association (3), Maine is the only state that does not require testing with its medical cannabis program, though the dozens of other states with medical cannabis programs do require testing. Five organizations (The Office of Cannabis Policy, Maine Medical Association, Maine Osteopathic Association, Maine Public Health Association and the Maine Center for Disease Control) testified generally in support of LD 1847.
The Office of Cannabis policy objected to the use of recreational cannabis funds to support public health education for medical cannabis (4).
“Arsenic has been linked to cancer of the bladder, lungs, skin, kidney, nasal passages, liver and prostate. Maine’s bedrock leeches high levels of arsenic into our water,” stated joint testimony from the Maine Medical Association and the Maine Osteopathic Association (5). “Cannabis is much better than most plants at pulling arsenic from the ground into the plant. Maine-grown cannabis is at special risk because of the high arsenic in the water.”
“As a retired health care practitioner, I want to ensure our medical use cannabis is not inadvertently worsening the medical conditions of our patients or negatively affecting their health,” stated Graham, in the news release. “Cannabis is a bioaccumulator, which means it can absorb PFAS and other toxic chemicals from various pathways, including soil and water. We know that Maine has a PFAS contamination problem and high levels of arsenic in our water. Testing a product, especially one being used for health purposes — is a basic tenant of public health and safety.”
A work session is anticipated to be scheduled soon.
References
- Maine House Democrats. Graham introduces bill to ensure better testing of medical use cannabis https://www.maine.gov/housedems/news/graham-introduces-bill-ensure-better-testing-medical-use-cannabis (accessed May 13, 2025).
- 132nd Maine Legislature. LD 1847. https://www.mainelegislature.org/legis/bills/getPDF.asp?paper=HP1231&item=1&snum=132 (accessed May 13, 2025).
- Maine Public Health Association. Testimony of Maine Public Health Association in Support of: LD 104: An Act to Protect the Health of Medical Cannabis Patients and Streamline the Mandatory Testing of Cannabis LD 1847: An Act to Institute Testing and Tracking of Medical Use Cannabis and Cannabis Products Similar to Adult Use Cannabis and Cannabis Products, Dedicate a Portion of the Adult Use Cannabis Sales and Excise Tax to Medical Use Cannabis Programs and Create a Study Group https://legislature.maine.gov/backend/app/services/getDocument.aspx?doctype=test&documentId=10049704 (accessed May 13, 2025).
- The Office of Cannabis Policy. LD 1847, An Act to Institute Testing and Tracking of Medical Use Cannabis and Cannabis Products Similar to Adult Use Cannabis and Cannabis Products, Dedicate a Portion of the Adult Use Cannabis Sales and Excise Tax to Medical Use Cannabis Programs and Create a Study Group https://legislature.maine.gov/backend/app/services/getDocument.aspx?doctype=test&documentId=10049664 (accessed May 13, 2025).
- Maine Medical Association, Maine Osteopathic Association. TESTIMONY OF THE MAINE MEDICAL ASSOCIATION, THE MAINE OSTEOPATHIC ASSOCIATION, AND THE MAINE ASSOCIATION OF PSYCHIATRIC PHYSICIANS https://legislature.maine.gov/backend/app/services/getDocument.aspx?doctype=test&documentId=10049734 (accessed May 13, 2025).
