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MaineLD 1609132nd Maine Legislature (2025-2026)HouseWALLET

An Act Regarding Background Checks for Medical Cannabis Providers

Sponsored By: Ann Fredericks (Republican)

Became Law

CANNABISCANNABIS - ADULT USE AND MEDICAL CANNABIS

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Bill Overview

Analyzed Economic Effects

4 provisions identified: 0 benefits, 4 costs, 0 mixed.

Background checks for medical cannabis cards

The law requires background checks for people applying for a medical cannabis registry card, a registration certificate, or as a registrant agent. Assistants are exempt. You must provide fingerprints, and the state checks Maine and FBI records. You pay a fee between $31 and $60 for each check. The check is valid for 2 years, and people with a disqualifying drug conviction cannot get a card. Results are confidential and used only for screening.

Rules for long-term care cannabis staff

A long-term care facility must register with the state to help patients use medical cannabis. Staff who assist must be at least 21, pass a background check, and have no disqualifying drug conviction. The facility and its staff may not grow cannabis for patients.

Annual checks for cannabis business leaders

For any business seeking a medical cannabis registration certificate, the state checks the criminal records of every officer and director. If any has a disqualifying drug conviction, the certificate is denied. At registered manufacturing facilities, officers, directors, assistants, and authorized extractors face annual background checks. Those with a disqualifying drug conviction cannot get a registry identification card. Applications must include fees and identifying information for officers and directors.

Testing labs must pass background checks

Cannabis testing labs must meet state rules and pass background checks to receive and hold samples. This is required before handling samples from patients, caregivers, dispensaries, or manufacturers. Labs test potency and contaminants like mold, heavy metals, plant regulators, and illegal pesticides.

Sponsors & Cosponsors

Sponsor

  • Ann Fredericks

    Republican • House

Cosponsors

  • Chad Perkins

    Republican • House

  • David Boyer

    Republican • House

  • Donald Ardell

    Republican • House

  • Trey L. Stewart

    Republican • Senate

  • Michael Soboleski

    Republican • House

  • Rachel Henderson

    Republican • House

Roll Call Votes

No roll call votes available for this bill.

Actions Timeline

  1. ACTPUB Chapter 611

    5/1/2026

  2. PASSED TO BE ENACTED, in concurrence.

    3/30/2026Senate

  3. PASSED TO BE ENACTED. Sent for concurrence. ORDERED SENT FORTHWITH.

    3/26/2026House

  4. Report READ and ACCEPTED, in concurrence.READ ONCE.Committee Amendment "A" (H-874) READ and ADOPTED, in concurrence.Under suspension of the Rules, READ A SECOND TIME and PASSED TO BE ENGROSSED AS AMENDED BY Committee Amendment "A" (H-874), in concurrence.Ordered sent down forthwith.

    3/25/2026Senate

  5. CONSENT CALENDAR - FIRST DAYUnder suspension of the rules CONSENT CALENDAR - SECOND DAY.The Bill was PASSED TO BE ENGROSSED as Amended by Committee Amendment "A" (H-874).Sent for concurrence. ORDERED SENT FORTHWITH.

    3/24/2026House

  6. Carried over, in the same posture, to any special or regular session of the 132nd Legislature, pursuant to Joint Order SP 800.

    6/25/2025House

  7. Received by the Clerk of the House on April 11, 2025.The Bill was REFERRED to the Committee on VETERANS AND LEGAL AFFAIRS pursuant to Joint Rule 308.2 and ordered printed pursuant to Joint Rule 401.

    4/11/2025House

Bill Text

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