Maine Finally Accepting Retailer Applications.

Voters Approved Weed in November 2016. 

By: WeedClub Team, Monday, January 6 at 2:15 PM PT 

When Maine Voters definitively enabled legal weed in November of 2016, they may or may not have been aware that it would take over three years to even begin accepting dispensary applications.  

Maine is now accepting the retailer applications online.  The process starts with a background check and some forms to fill out.  The harder part is the "Local Authorization" that is required.  Applicants must have a plan for their real estate that will contain local approval in order exist legally.  

In other states such as California, that have limited green zone real estate available, "local approval" has led to cannabis deserts that lack dispensaries.  

As WGME Reported, State officials estimate the first adult use retailer in Maine will open in the spring.

Locals compared the new system in Maine to that of their "Micro-Breweries".  The existing medical cannabis providers of Maine are the first in line for the new retail licenses.  

States such as Oklahoma have enabled more of a free market competitive business environment for cannabis companies.  We will see if Maine ends up more like California or Oklahoma.