(Editor’s Note: The following opinion editorial represents the opinion and perspective of the MMCM and its leadership.)

Protect Small Businesses: Maine’s Cannabis Industry Needs Fair Policies

Gov. Janet Mills’ proposal to impose mandatory testing and tracking on the medical cannabis market is a misguided approach that will harm small businesses while failing to address real concerns. Her claim that regulation is necessary for consumer safety ignores the fact that Maine’s medical program has been operating without incident since its inception in 1999 and that Maine’s existing adult-use (AU) testing program is deeply flawed. Inconsistent lab results, arbitrary microbial thresholds, and excessive costs have already burdened AU growers. Applying these same broken policies to medical cannabis will devastate caregivers and patients without improving safety.

The Real Issues: Illicit Grows & Law Enforcement

If Gov. Mills is concerned about illicit market activity, the solution is stronger law enforcement for known bad actors, not punishing legitimate small businesses with costly regulations. Mandatory testing will not curb illegal cultivation—it will only push legal caregivers out of the market, making illicit operations even more dominant.

The Cost of Unnecessary Testing

Small craft growers already struggle with thin margins, and adding expensive, unnecessary testing requirements will force many out of business. At $600 per strain, testing costs can quickly climb into the thousands of dollars per harvest. This is an undue burden on businesses that have operated responsibly for years.

A 40% Tax Hike: A Sin Tax in Disguise

Gov. Mills’ proposal to shift cannabis taxation by increasing the sales tax by 40 percent is nothing short of a sin tax—an unfair penalty on an industry still fighting outdated stigmas. Cannabis businesses, already burdened with excessive regulation, must now contend with a tax increase that will inevitably be passed on to consumers. This move comes at a time when high prices on essentials are already straining small businesses and families. If Maine truly wants a stable, competitive cannabis market, it should not be implementing regressive tax policies that punish both businesses and consumers.

The Unique Role of Medical Cannabis Operators

Medical cannabis operators are often smaller businesses with smaller cultivation operations that produce limited batches of product. One of the key benefits of working with these small entities is their ability to create custom blends tailored to a patient’s specific medical needs—something that is not possible within the rigid framework of the AU program. If forced to adopt AU testing guidelines, the increased costs would make these tailored medical solutions financially out of reach for both patients and small operators, effectively stripping patients of access to the personalized medicine they rely on.

Governor Mills Ignores Cannabis Stakeholders

Despite making major decisions affecting the industry, Gov. Mills has refused to engage directly with caregivers and small business owners. This dismissive approach suggests a lack of respect for the hardworking people who built Maine’s cannabis market.

A Path Forward

Instead of mandatory testing, Maine should:

• Enforce existing laws against illicit grow’s through law enforcement.
• Implement clean and consistent standards for testing labs.
• Focus on real safety threats like dangerous pesticides.
• Conduct long-overdue state-led research to establish evidence-based safety standards.

Mandatory testing won’t stop the illicit market—it will kill small businesses and reduce patient access to safe, high-quality cannabis. Governor Mills needs to stop ignoring industry stakeholders and start working with them to craft sensible, science-based policies.

As always, we wholeheartedly welcome the opportunity to talk to Governor Mills. As an association that represents over 200 of the caregivers and the thousands of patients that they serve affected by her proposal, we are eager to work together to strengthen both public safety and the cannabis industry. Our door is always open.

Medical Marijuana Caregivers Of Maine Board of Directors

Tammy Smith – President/Board Chair

Kristi Shaw – Vice Chair

Shanna Sousa – Treasurer

Kim McClintick – Board Member

Robbin Levin – Board Member

Eddie Dugay – Board Member – Legislative Liaison

Catherine Lewis – Legislative Consultant/ Education Chair

Cheryl Souza – Administrative Assistant