This morning the following notice from DHHS regarding rules changes in Maine Medical Use of Marijuana Program appeared in the Bangor Daily News classified section. As of 10:30 we have no more information than this right now, but we will keep the updates coming as new information is released and we are able to look into the details of these proposed changes. To be clear, right now these are just proposed changes that are not being implemented yet. These rules changes still have to go through the public hearing process when we will have a chance to voice any concerns we have about these proposals. So, for now, note that the public hearing will be at the Augusta Civic Center at 9:00-12:00 on the morning of June 14th.

Notice in Bangor daily news link below

AGENCY: 10-144 - Department of Health and Human Services; Maine Center for Disease Control and Prevention (Maine CDC)
CHAPTER NUMBER AND TITLE: Ch. 122, Rule Governing the Maine Medical Use of Marijuana Program

PROPOSED RULE NUMBER: 2017-P060

BRIEF SUMMARY: This proposed rulemaking contains changes to remove outdated references to registered patients, reconstruct sections for improved organization, clarify the Department's procedures needed to implement changes enacted by the 126th and 127th Legislature, including the following: (1) allow a primary caregiver to possess and administer a minor's medical marijuana on school grounds and school buses; (2) permit certified nurse practitioners to issue written certifications for the medical use of marijuana; (3) allow primary caregivers to retain one employee; (4) allow residents of an inpatient hospice or nursing facility to use and store smokeless forms of medical marijuana in their room; and (5) permit a primary caregiver to dispose of excess prepared marijuana by transferring it to a registered dispensary, a qualifying patient, and/or another primary caregiver. The original draft of proposed changes clarified constitutions for a "collective" and reduced application fees.
Additional changes were proposed after further consideration and review by the Department. These changes include the elimination of language that duplicates statute. Changes proposed for this rulemaking also now include the following: (1) technical edits and revisions to grammar and format; (2) added definitions for bona fide medical provider-patient relationship, on-site assessment, smoking and vaporize; (3) added requirement for Department approval prior to a dispensary acquiring excess prepared marijuana from a registered caregiver; (4) increased consistency for caregivers and dispensaries for plant limit for outdoor cultivation; (5) removal of the provision requiring the proof of identification of authorized persons be held by the caregiver or dispensary while the person is in the cultivation area; (6) allowance for the Department to permit a medical provider to proceed with certifying a minor patient in the absence of a list of willing consulting physicians; (7) added requirement for a petition to add a debilitating condition to be endorsed by a medical provider; (8) added provisions for vaporizing marijuana for medical use; (9) prohibition of cultivation by a visiting patient; (10) added requirement for reporting of inventory and patient designation counts; (11) in Section 10, establishment of procedural details of the Department's monitoring process to ensure program compliance; and (12) clarification of the processes employed by the Department for approving applications, designations, transfer of excess marijuana and the issuance of written certification.

PUBLIC HEARING: June 14, 2017 - 9 a.m.-noon, Augusta Civic Center, 76 Community Drive, Augusta, ME 04330

COMMENT DEADLINE: 5 p.m., June 26, 2017
CONTACT PERSON FOR THIS FILING / SMALL BUSINESS IMPACT INFORMATION: Bridget Bagley; 286 Water Street, 11 State House Station, Augusta, ME 04333. Telephone: (207) 287-9394. Fax: (207) 287-5807. TTY: 711. E-mail: This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it. .
FINANCIAL IMPACT ON MUNICIPALITIES OR COUNTIES: None
http://classifieds.bangordailynews.com/.../42BAA4440cacd1FBFE...
I dont see the proposed rules posted yet but will be watching and we have some one ready to review the rules when they are available and will keep you all posted.

MMCM Board Members

Marijuana Legalization Implementation Committee

Schedule for the week of 5/1/17 - 5/5/17

Tuesday: 5/2/17 1:00pm Committee discussion of licensing of retail marijuana testing laboratories and health and safety issues. Committee discussion of requirements for licensees of retail cultivation facilities. Meeting to include 30-minute public comment period on the licensing of retail marijuana cultivation facilities.

Friday: 5/5/17 9:00am Continued committee discussion of licensing of retail marijuana cultivation facilities. Meeting to include 30-minute public comment period on licensing of retail marijuana cultivation facilities.

Public Hearing.....

Wednesday, May 3, 2017

1:00pm State House Room #436 Public hearing for work session LD 1333
"An act to enact the drug trafficking Offender Registration and notification Act"

New Bills out ......... this week

LD 1406 "An Act To Promote Prescription Drug Price Transparency"

SUMMARY
This bill amends the law governing profiteering in prescription drugs. The bill requires more disclosure of drug production, research and development costs, marketing and advertising costs and actual costs paid upon purchase. The bill allows investigations by the Attorney General of violations of these provisions. The bill adds a required written report from the Attorney General each year.

New Bills out last week......

LD 1491: "An Act To Provide for Safety, Quality and Transparency in the Retail Marijuana Industry"
This Bill appears to have been crafted by dispensaries and pertains to adult use. The following summarizes it's scope:

1. It transfers the state licensing authority from the Department of Agriculture, Conservation and Forestry to the Department of Administrative and Financial Services, Bureau of Alcoholic Beverages and Lottery Operations.

2. It allows for the limited sale of marijuana for adult use while the bureau begins the rule-making process and issuing licenses for retail marijuana establishments pursuant to those rules by allowing dispensaries registered under the Maine Medical Use of on a notfor- profit basis and exempts such reorganizations from the requirement to obtain court
approval or provide notice.

6. It imposes Maine state residency requirements on all applicants. It also allows for the transfer of a retail marijuana establishment or social club license to a person or entity that does not meet the residency requirement and allows for investment in a retail marijuana establishment or social club license by a person or entity that does not meet the residency requirement once the retail marijuana establishment or social club licensee has been operational for 2 years.

7. It allows for an entity or individual with a minority ownership interest in a retail marijuana testing facility to also have an ownership interest in a retail marijuana establishment or retail marijuana social club to encourage investment in retail marijuana testing facilities. It prohibits testing facilities from testing retail marijuana and retail marijuana products from or intended to be sold at a medical dispensary, by a caregiver or at a retail marijuana establishment or social club in which the retail marijuana testing facility licensee has any financial interest.
Marijuana Act to sell limited marijuana retail products to persons 21 years of age or older in accordance with certain conditions. These early sales provisions are repealed December 31, 2018 unless the bureau has not, as of December 31, 2018, begun issuing licenses for retail marijuana establishments, in which case the dispensaries can continue to sell limited marijuana retail products until the bureau begins, through final agency action,
to issue licenses for retail marijuana establishments. It allows registered dispensaries to purchase marijuana and marijuana products from registered primary caregivers for purposes of distribution to persons 21 years of age and older. It imposes a tax of 10% of the sale price of limited marijuana retail products. It allocates 10% of the tax revenue to the municipality where the tax-paying dispensary is located, 45% of the tax revenue to the Department of Health and Human Services to fund regulatory oversight and enforcement of sales of limited marijuana retail products as well as efforts by the department to deter use of marijuana by persons under 21 years of age and the remaining
45% to the bureau to fund administration, regulatory development and enforcement of the Marijuana Legalization Act. It also imposes state sales tax on limited marijuana retail products.

3. It imposes additional financial qualifications on applicants for retail marijuana establishments and retail marijuana social clubs to ensure future regulatory compliance.

4. It imposes annual financial audit responsibilities on all license holders.

5. It removes the requirement that a dispensary under the Maine Medical Use of Marijuana Act be incorporated under the Maine Nonprofit Corporation Act and operated

LD 1499: "An Act To Better Regulate Marijuana"
Another Bill that appears to have been written by dispensary interests however pertains only to Adult Use. Here is the Summary:
This bill proposes to revise the laws regarding recreational marijuana sales and use to:

1. Change the state licensing authority from the Department of Agriculture,
Conservation and Forestry to the Department of Administrative and Financial Services, Bureau of Alcoholic Beverages and Lottery Operations;

2. Clarify the licensing preferences for medical marijuana dispensaries and
caregivers under the Marijuana Legalization Act;

3. Establish a provisional license to allow marijuana dispensaries licensed under the Maine Medical Use of Marijuana Act to participate in the retail sale of marijuana prior to the establishment of licenses for retail marijuana establishments;

4. Expand protections for minors by modeling the laws regarding distribution,
possession and use of marijuana by persons under 21 years of age on the laws prohibiting the distribution, possession and use of alcohol by persons under 21 years of age;

5. Establish a special marijuana tax at the rate of 10% on the retail sale of marijuana by marijuana dispensaries. This tax is in addition to the sales tax currently imposed on medical marijuana and is only imposed until the retail sale of marijuana by other establishments is authorized by the bureau;

6. Modify the record-keeping, audit and other compliance requirements of a person licensed as a retail marijuana establishment or retail marijuana social club;

7. Authorize a nonprofit medical marijuana dispensary to reorganize as a for-profit entity; and

8. Increase the sales tax on retail marijuana and marijuana products from 10% to 20%.

LD 1527: "An Act To Ensure Safety, Quality and Transparency in the Medical Marijuana Market and To Ensure Sufficient Funding for Regulation and
Enforcement with Respect to the Retail Marijuana Industry"
This Bill seems to make an attempt at increasing safety in both programs and does not appear overly excessive.
This bill amends the Maine Medical Use of Marijuana Act in the following ways.

1. It imposes mandatory testing, labeling and record-keeping requirements on
registered dispensaries. It provides that registered dispensaries are subject to inspection by the local fire department, building inspector or code enforcement officer to confirm that no health or safety concerns are present and that local health and safety ordinances apply to registered dispensaries.

2. It imposes mandatory testing, labeling and record-keeping requirements on
registered primary caregivers. It provides that registered primary caregivers are subject to inspection by the Department of Health and Human Services to ensure regulatory compliance. It provides that registered primary caregivers are subject to inspection by the local fire department, building inspector or code enforcement officer to confirm that no health or safety concerns are present and that local health and safety ordinances apply to registered primary caregivers.

3. It provides that mandatory testing of medical marijuana and medical marijuana products may be conducted by testing facilities licensed under either the Maine Medical Use of Marijuana Act or the Marijuana Legalization Act.

4. It imposes a special tax of 20% on retail marijuana and retail marijuana products sold by retail marijuana stores and retail marijuana social clubs to ensure that the tax revenue generated is sufficient to fund enforcement and regulation with respect to the retail marijuana industry. It also provides that in addition to this special tax, retail marijuana and retail marijuana products are subject to the state sales tax.

Lastly, we have MMCM's Bill:

LD 1539: "An Act to Amend Maine's Medical Marijuana Laws".
Summary:

1. Amends definitions to add terms and to expand upon or provide clarity for
existing terms;

2. Amends the qualifying condition of intractable pain to include pain that a medical provider determines is not managed effectively by prescription narcotics and allows a medical provider the discretion to issue a written certification for any medical condition that the physician believes may be alleviated by the patient's using marijuana for medical use. It also requires consultation with a minimum of 3 medical professionals, one of whom may be selected by the petitioner, prior to accepting or denying a petition to add a
debilitating medical condition as a qualifying condition;

3. Replaces the limit of 2 1/2 ounces of marijuana that may be dispensed to a
qualifying patient who is a Maine resident during a 15-day period with a limit of no more than 2 pounds in one transfer;

4. Allows a qualifying patient who is cultivating marijuana to furnish seeds and
plants to another qualifying patient;

5. Permits a qualifying patient to designate more than one primary caregiver to assist the patient; the additional primary caregivers may not cultivate marijuana for the patient;

6. Prohibits a visiting qualifying patient, who is not a resident of Maine, from
cultivating marijuana;

7. Permits a primary caregiver designated to cultivate marijuana to furnish seeds and plants to an authorized person;

8. Increases the number of employees that a registered cultivating primary caregiver may employ. A primary caregiver designated to cultivate can employ one person for each registry identification card the caregiver is issued;

9. Permits a primary caregiver designated to cultivate marijuana to dispose of
marijuana by transferring the marijuana to a designated primary caregiver; current law allows the transfer to a dispensary;

10. Allows for certain authorized transfers of marijuana by a primary caregiver
designated to cultivate marijuana for reasonable compensation;

11. Allows a primary caregiver who is assisting no more than 2 patients who are members of the primary caregiver's household or family to not register with the department;

12. Authorizes a primary caregiver designated to cultivate marijuana to cultivate up to 6 mature marijuana plants per registry identification card. The maximum number of plants allowed for cultivation is the same as in current law;

13. Removes the limit of 2 1/2 ounces of prepared marijuana and establishes the allowable amount of harvested marijuana to be up to 8 pounds that may be possessed by a patient or authorized person on behalf of a patient. It also establishes the allowable amount of marijuana to be up to 8 pounds per registry identification card for a designated primary caregiver required to register, no more than 8 pounds per patient, up to 2 patients, for a primary caregiver not required to register and 8 pounds per patient for a
dispensary designated by a patient;

14. Establishes tracking and reporting requirements for primary caregivers and
dispensaries;

15. Permits the Department of Health and Human Services to inspect areas related to marijuana for medical use to assess compliance with the laws regulating marijuana;

16. Reduces the review period from 10 days to 3 business days for a 2nd physician consultation in order for a qualifying patient who is a minor to obtain a written certification when there is a list of consulting physicians and permits a physician to proceed with certification for a minor in the absence of a consulting physician list maintained by the department. It allows the Medical Use of Marijuana Fund to be used at the department's discretion to reimburse families for the cost of the required consultation by a 2nd physician;

17. Extends the immunity existing for dispensary employees, principal officers and board members to registered primary caregivers and their employees;

18. Authorizes the department, in addition to law enforcement agencies, to remove marijuana determined to be in excess of allowable limits;

19. Permits the department to establish a period of time when persons who have had authorizations denied or revoked are ineligible for reauthorization;

20. Requires a cardholder to notify the department when the information on the card issued by the department is inaccurate or changes;

21. Amends fees for various registrations;

22. Adds a sanction for a person found to be in possession of a registry identification card issued to another person; and

23. Provides for an opportunity for an informal hearing process for specified persons aggrieved by a department enforcement action.

LD 1527 "An Act To Ensure Safety, Quality and Transparency in the Medical Marijuana Market and To Ensure Sufficient Funding for Regulation and Enforcement with Respect to the Retail Marijuana Industry"

This bill amends the Maine Medical Use of Marijuana Act in the following ways.

1. It imposes mandatory testing, labeling and record-keeping requirements on registered dispensaries. It provides that registered dispensaries are subject to inspection by the local fire department, building inspector or code enforcement officer to confirm that no health or safety concerns are present and that local health and safety ordinances apply to registered dispensaries.

2. It imposes mandatory testing, labeling and record-keeping requirements on registered primary caregivers. It provides that registered primary caregivers are subject to inspection by the Department of Health and Human Services to ensure regulatory compliance. It provides that registered primary caregivers are subject to inspection by the local fire department, building inspector or code enforcement officer to confirm that no health or safety concerns are present and that local health and safety ordinances apply to registered primary caregivers.

3. It provides that mandatory testing of medical marijuana and medical marijuana products may be conducted by testing facilities licensed under either the Maine Medical Use of Marijuana Act or the Marijuana Legalization Act.

4. It imposes a special tax of 20% on retail marijuana and retail marijuana products sold by retail marijuana stores and retail marijuana social clubs to ensure that the tax revenue generated is sufficient to fund enforcement and regulation with respect to the retail marijuana industry. It also provides that in addition to this special tax, retail marijuana and retail marijuana products are subject to the state sales tax.

Yesterday, the Committee on Health and Human Services divided along party lines on LD 764 "An Act To Prohibit the Exclusion of a Patient from Eligibility for an Organ Transplant Based on Medical Marijuana Use" to produce a Majority who voted that the Bill 'Ought Not Pass'. As you know, current Medical Recommendation holders in the state may donate organs, but not receive them. We would like to urge you to contact your local Rep (See Link Below), and urge them to vote for the 'Minority Report' on LD 764 when it is voted on in the House. This will likely be early next week, so that Time Is Critical. The Minority Report ammends the language to read:

4905A Discrimination prohibited.

(2) For the purposes of medical care, including organ transplants, a registered qualifying patient's authorized use of marijuana in accordance with this chapter shall be considered the equivalent of the authorized use of any other medication used at the direction of a physician, and shall not constitute the use of an illicit substance or otherwise disqualify a qualifying patient from needed medical care.

Share this with friends and lets get the word out! Click on Link to see your Representatives

http://legislature.maine.gov/house/townlist.htm

Also, LD 1135

"An Act to Strengthen the Efficacy of the Medical Marijuana Laws"

LD 1135 is currently tabled in the House awaiting reference to committee. The original committee suggested was the 'Marijuana Legalization Implementation Committee'. As this Bill restructures several important facets of Maine's Medical Marijuana Program, it is Critical that this bill be assigned to the 'DHHS Committee' and worked by seasoned lawmakers who understand the challenges of the Medical Program. Please contact your Representatives and urge them to have the House assign LD 1135 to the DHHS Committee. Here are some points that you can refer to. Thank you for your time!

Work Session: Thursday April 6th 1-4PM LD 764 - "An Act To Prohibit the Exclusion of a Patient from Eligibility for an Organ Transplant Based on Medical Marijuana Use" Cross Bldg. Rm# 209. This will be one of four Bills they will be working on.
Audio Link: http://legislature.maine.gov/Audio/ -209 

New Bills Out This Week:

- Maine

LD 1209 – “An Act To Reserve for County Government One Percent of the Excise Tax Revenue from the Sale of Retail Marijuana” By Rep. Martin of Sinclair. This Bill seeks to give 1% of all sales tax back to counties to offset policy development, enforcement and planning costs associated with Adult Use.

- Federal

S.777 – “A bill to amend the Internal Revenue Code of 1986 to allow deductions and credits relating to expenditures in connection with marijuana sales conducted in compliance with State law.” By Sen. Wyden, Ron [D-OR]
S.780 – “A bill to amend the Controlled Substances Act to reduce the gap between Federal and State marijuana policy, and for other purposes” By Sen. Wyden, Ron [D-OR]
S. 776 - A bill to amend the Internal Revenue Code of 1986 to provide for the taxation and regulation of marijuana products, and for other purposes. By Sen. Wyden, Ron [D-OR]
H.R. 1841 - “To provide for the regulation of marijuana products, and for other purposes” By Rep. Polis, Jared [D-CO-2]
H.R. 1824  – “To amend the Controlled Substances Act to reduce the gap between Federal and State marijuana policy, and for other purposes.” By Rep. Blumenauer, Earl [D-OR-3]
H.R. 1823 – “To amend the Internal Revenue Code of 1986 to provide for the taxation and regulation of marijuana products, and for other purposes” By Rep. Blumenauer, Earl [D-OR-3]
H.R. 1820 – “To authorize Department of Veterans Affairs health care providers to provide recommendations and opinions to veterans regarding participation in State marijuana programs”
H.R. 1810 - “To amend the Internal Revenue Code of 1986 to allow deductions and credits relating to expenditures in connection with marijuana sales conducted in compliance with State law” By Rep. Curbelo, Carlos [R-FL-26]

Next week on Tuesday April 4th at 1PM, there will be a Public Hearing on LD 1064 "An Act To Require That Health Insurance Policies Cover Medical Marijuana".

The Hearing will take place in Cross Bldg. Rm # 220. You can come and submit 2-3 minutes of verbal testimony to the Committee or Submit written testimony. Instead of printing of 20 copies, we would advise you to print off your own, and submit a digital copy to the clerk via email (toner is Pricey).

Submit your testimony to the Committee Clerk, Veronica Snow. Her email is This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it.
The Audio Link for the Committee is provided here, so feel free to listen in!
Audio Link: Audio Link: http://legislature.maine.gov/Audio/#220

Also, Same Day same time.....
There will be a Work Session on LD 243 “An Act To Change the oversight Agency for Recreational Marijuana from the Department of Agriculture, Conservation and Forestry to the Department of Administrative and Financial Services, Bureau of Alcoholic Beverages and Lottery Operations and to Allocate Funds for Implementation”
The Hearing will take place in Cross Bldg Rm #216.

Submit your testimony to the Committee Clerk, Steven Langlin. His email is
This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it.

Another meeting will be on Friday, March 24th, at 9:00 AM and covers the Adult Use program coming under the control of BABLO. Bureau of Alcoholic Beverages and Lottery Operations (Same Audio Link)
Live Audio: http://legislature.maine.gov/Audio/#216
NEXT WEEK: On Monday, March 27th at 1PM there will be a Public Hearing on LD 764 "An Act To Prohibit the Exclusion of a Patient from Eligibility for an Organ Transplant Based on Medical Marijuana Use" Four other bills will also be heard.
Audio Link: http://legislature.maine.gov/Audio/#209

LD 938 – “An Act To Harmonize Provisions of "An Act To Legalize Marijuana" with Related Provisions of the Maine Medical Use of Marijuana Act” By Rep. Hamann of So. Portland
This Bill seeks to unify Adult Use and Medical programs with respect to areas that affect Public Health (Only). These areas include Product Testing, Product Labeling, Child-Safe Packaging and Inspection Requirements.
LD 854 – “An Act To Correct Errors and Inconsistencies in the Marijuana Legalization Act as Approved by the Voters” By Rep Hamann of So. Portland
The Bill is an attempt to fix the internal errors of the Adult Use Bill i.e: ‘No sanctions for use by a minor’.
LD 764 – “An Act To Prohibit the Exclusion of a Patient from Eligibility for an Organ Transplant Based on Medical Marijuana Use” By Rep. Sanderson of Chelsea
764 will remove ‘Use of Marijuana’ as a condition to preclude an individual from receiving an organ transplant.
LD 799 – “An Act To Protect Landlords and Tenants from the Deleterious Effects of Marijuana Use” By Rep. Handy of Lewiston
Allows Landlords to prohibit Cultivation, Possession and Use of Marijuana on their property. INCLUDES MMJ

New Bills Out this Week

LD 1075 "An Act to Eliminate Drug Use among Welfare Recipients
LD 1052 "An Act to allow Drug Testing prior to Providing Welfare Benefits"
LD 855 "An Act to protect Children from Edible Cannabis Products"
LD 1064 "An Act to Require that Health Insurance Policies cover Medical marijuana"
LD 1098 "An Act To Ensure Reasonable Accommodations for Children for Whom Medical Marijuana Has Been Recommended"

Everyone has seen Municipalities take an aggressive stance in the wake of the Adult Use vote in November. Some have enacted land use Ordinances and Zoning, while others have outright Banned (Newport). Many Municipalities have also not bothered to distinguish between Medical providers from Adult Use providers.
Another consideration on the table will be LD 672 "An Act To Clarify a Municipality's Authority To Adopt and Enforce Land Use Regulations for Marijuana Facilities"
We would like to ask help from the general public to Confront this and be present to advise Municipalities so that we do not suffer an unintentionally altered Medical access issue taken on at the Local level.
ACTION: We would like to ask members of the general public, patients and other concerned citizens to reach out, by either calling or emailing our office. Let us know if you know of municipalities which are enacting these local rules. Information you provide us with... can help protect Maine’s Patients and Caregivers from costly legislative errors made at the local level. We will need all members of our communities to engage, to help educate our local selectmen and town representatives on how we can improve situations that towns face across Maine. MMCM would like to track these municipalities so that we can help to organize community outreach and engagement with these municipalities. This will be a complex task and we need YOUR help!!
MMCM Office Phone: (207) 596-3501
MMCM Email: This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it.
MMCM Municipality Tracking Facebook Page:
https://www.facebook.com/.../2599821844559.../admin_activities

Another note, on the Federal side....

HR 975 Respect State Marijuana Laws Act of 2017

This bill amends the Controlled Substances Act to provide that the Act's regulatory controls and administrative, civil and criminal penalties do not apply to a person who produces, possesses, distributes, dispenses, administers, or delivers marijuana in compliance with state laws.

Lets encourage folks to call or email their congress and senate Representatives in Washington DC; that would be Polliquin, Pingree, Collins, and King. Ask them to vote for and co-sponsor HR975, Respect Marijuana Laws Act of 2017 in the 115th Congress. Request a written response....

Catherine Lewis, Board Chair along with Directors, Darrell Gudroe and Hamilton Hall attended the public forum before the Marijuana Legalization Committee, on Feb 28th, 2017 to give testimoney on behalf of MMCM

February 28, 2017

Good afternoon Senator Katz and members of the committee. I am speaking on beh_plf of the Medical Marijuana Caregivers of Maine Trade Association members, that consists of caregivers and patients who depend on medical cannabis to treat a variety of illnesses.

I am the board chair, a caregiver and a patient myself. I have concerns surrounding the implementation of the Adult Use program. On the news, in the papers and in these very halls, it has been asked , "Why do we need the Medical Program if we have Adult Use?" Just the fact the question is being asked is concerning. This concern leads me to wonder how many people have real ly been paying attention to the current program and the testimonies that have been presented by patients, caregivers and other professionals over the past several years as we have been improving our Medical Program. If you are not aware, we have one of the best medical programs in the nation. Our patients have privacy that many states do not offer. Other states are trying to emulate us. Our trade organization receives calls from other states looking for guidance in improving their own programs. I'm greatly concerned to hear that some believe we should merge our medical program into the recreational market.

As a caregiver I consult with many patients. Most are seriously ill. Many are older and require assistance finding what works for them. Most are concerned with privacy. It takes time to develop a relationship and trust. I often work with their recommending doctor in developing a strategy and ongoing updates are necessary as the patient progresses. The service I and many other caregivers provide would not be available in a retail setting. As a caregiver the strains I grow are chosen based on the needs of my clients. We have several strains that are low the, and high cbd which will not get the patient "high" but treats many ailments. They are not easy strains to grow, they have lower yields than others and are not popular with the recreational markets. My patients depend on these strains, and they would not be readily available in the retail setting. They are not what'the majority of recreational customers would be looking for and would not make sense for adult use growers - which is an important issue to differentiate: medical marijuana patients are patients, not customers. The custom products that I produce out of these various strains would be difficult for patients to find in a retail setting. I customize strengths and dosages based on the individual patients needs, not in bulk.

These scenarios are not unique to me. This is our current medical marijuana program. This is the type ofservice that many caregivers offer to medical patients. I have been teaching classes for the past several years for caregivers who want to be able to t ruly take care of the seriously ill. The Trade Association has almost 500 members. Our program currently services over 50,000 patients. There are 8 dispensaries and over 3000 active caregivers. We need to protect, preserve and promote our medical program, the patients and the small businesses that currently serve them.

It also should be mentioned that the people of Maine when presented with the bill before voting for adult use were assured the medical program would not be impacted by " legalizing adult use." To immediately turn around and suggest sunsetting the medical program into adult use defies voter intent.

Thank you for your time and attention,
Catherine Lewis
Board Chair/Director of Education

A PDF containing all of the written testimony submitted to the MU Committee prior to and during the February 28th public forum has been posted to the Committee's webpage, http://legislature.maine.gov/legis/opla/MLIPUBLICTESTIMONYFeb28.pdf