Recreational Legalization in Maine
A major step in state history.
Howdy-do, stonahs. It’s ya girl coming through with something a little different.
I want to be serious serious with y’all in this post, as it is going to refer to recreational sales of cannabis beginning in Maine, and my take.
Emphasis on my take. Solely opinions from here on, but do pay attention.
On Friday October 9th, recreational sales began in the state of Maine. Granted, those lucky enough to have earned the first couple retail licenses, were allowed to begin sales. This has been a highly anticipated day since 2016 when Mainers originally voted for recreational cannabis to begin. Four years later, our legislators have given us what we asked for.
One of the first sale license holders, Theory Wellness in South Portland, is a Massachusetts based company. A couple months back, Maine lifted the residency requirement on cannabis businesses, for the adult-use market. Referring to my previous article, Keep Maine Local, you know why this bothers me.
Yes, the founders of Theory went to college in Maine, and even started their first business together in Maine, but alas, are not life-long Maine residents.
Theory’s owners also expressed their plans for the market, and this quote is from Dawson Julia of East Coast CBDs and director of the Maine Cannabis Coalition sums it up:
They [Theory] are going to use their profits from their Massachusetts with their business there, and bring them over as long as it takes until they wipe out the competition.
If this plan is true, which we can all assume it is, this particularly infuriates me more. Essentially, to them, they “can’t fail” and can gain control of the market in Maine.
However, us Mainers are going to prove them wrong.
If you’re going to shop recreationally, may I recommend these local establishments instead:
SeaWeed Co. - a local purveyor who has a mass supply of concentrates especially. They can be found at 185 Running Hill Rd, South Portland, ME.
Sweet Relief - a small yet locally owned shop on busy Route 1 in Midcoast Maine, at 1 Priest Rd, Northport, ME.
Personally, ya girl is going to stay medical. There is an astronomical 20% tax on recreational cannabis. If you continue to stay medical, you will be relieved to know that the current rate will still remain at 5.5%. That’s a fat difference, and one my income can’t support. I will continue to put my hard earned money towards the lovely faces of the Maine Medical Marijuana community. Let me recommend you some favorites based on region if ya curious:
Southern
Zero Gravity Extracts (delivery only) Portland/Biddeford, ME.
Curated Cannabis Co. (delivery only) Portland/Biddeford, ME.
Atlantic Farms (storefront only) Portland, ME.
Central
Humble Family Farms (available through Soylent Greens delivery) Auburn, ME.
The Green Alchemist (storefront only) Winslow, ME.
Cure Cannabis Co. (storefront only) Auburn, ME.
Midcoast
Finest Kind Medicinals (storefront only) Waldoboro, ME.
Scrimshaw Cannabis (storefront only) Rockland, ME.
New World Organics (storefront only) Belfast/Rockland, ME.
Northern
Rock Steady Remedies (storefront only) Bangor, ME.
I’m not gonna lie y’all, I rarely go north of Waterville so I’ve only been to Rock Steady, but the selection and prices are so worth the trip.
As the consumer, the choice is up to YOU:
Do you want to support local Mainers who worked years to build this industry in Maine?
OR
Do you wanna support out of state yuppies trying to take control of our intimate community?
Be wise with your choice y’all.
Cheers,
