Maine Department of Administrative and Financial Services (DAFS) officials said the agency’s Office of Cannabis Policy (OCP) plans to conduct five statewide cannabis community engagement and listening events.
“Maine’s adult-use cannabis industry continues to be one of the fastest-growing segments of the state’s economy,” OCP Director Erik Gundersen said. “The growth of the industry shows consumer demand for cannabis and cannabis products. My team is eager to engage directly with stakeholders and use this opportunity to hear success stories and challenges, and ultimately create better policy for improved public health and safety as the programs continue to expand.”
The 90-minute, town hall-style events are open to the public, with registration ahead of the sessions strongly encouraged via the OCP’s Eventbrite listings.
Meetings are slated for June 22 at 6 p.m. in Biddeford at the University of New England’s Alfond Center for Health Sciences; July 20 at 6 p.m. in Waterville at the Best Western Hotel’s O’Brien’s Events Center; Aug. 24 at 6 p.m. in Bangor at the Bangor Arts Exchange; Sept. 14 at 6 p.m. in Ellsworth at the city’s Municipal Building; and Oct. 12 at 6 p.m. in Presque Isle at the University of Maine.
“Engagement with stakeholders is a keystone of OCP’s activity in 2022,” Gundersen said. “We hope to hear from a wide variety of people with differing opinions and questions so that we can serve as the best possible go-to on all things cannabis in Maine.”