April 22, 2022
AUGUSTA – Gov. Janet Mills has signed into law a bill sponsored by Rep. Tiffany Roberts, D-South Berwick, that would allow the state to reimburse municipalities for qualifying expenses incurred in their effort to permit licensed adult use marijuana businesses.
LD 1195 will authorize reimbursements of up to $20,000 to cover expenses including legal fees and costs associated with drafting or amending ordinances, conducting town meetings or holding elections. Funding would come from the renamed Adult Use Marijuana Public Health and Safety and Municipal Opt-in Fund, which receives money from sales and excise taxes imposed on adult use marijuana and related products.
“In the development of Maine’s adult use marijuana industry, the state has asked municipalities to help balance the newly sanctioned use of this commodity, however, they are not yet seeing a return on their investment,” said Roberts. “This bill will allow municipal governments to recover expenses from their regulation of the adult use industry and encourage partnerships with local businesses.”
The new law will go into effect 90 days after the current session of the Legislature adjourns.
Roberts is serving her second term in the Maine House of Representatives and serves as House chair of the Legislature’s Innovation, Development, Economic Advancement and Business Committee.
Contact:
Jackie Merrill [Roberts], c. 812-1111
