Maine recreational cannabis sales expected next spring

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Maine is expected to launch recreational marijuana sales in March now that Gov. Janet Mills has signed a bill containing regulations recently approved by the state’s lawmakers.

The law, signed by Mills on Thursday, goes into effect 90 days after the Legislature’s session ended June 20, the Portland Press Herald reported.

Under the law, cities and towns that plan to allow recreational businesses must opt into the market, according to the newspaper. Only about 15 of Maine’s 455 municipalities have opted in thus far.

Maine voters approved recreational marijuana in 2016, but the industry’s rollout was hampered by anti-cannabis former governor Paul LePage.

Marijuana Business Daily previously reported that Maine was expected to begin recreational marijuana sales in the spring of 2020.