Operators of a medical marijuana shop in Belfast allege that the rules will violate patient privacy and allow unconstitutional searches.
Penelope Overton
Staff Writer
Penny is excited to be the Portland Press Herald’s first climate reporter. Since joining the paper in 2016, she has written about Maine’s lobster and cannabis industries, covered state politics and spent a fellowship year exploring the impact of climate change on the lobster fishery with the Boston Globe’s Spotlight team. Before moving to Maine, she covered politics, environment, casino gambling and tribal issues in Florida, Connecticut and Arizona. Her favorite assignments allow her to introduce readers to unusual people, cultures, or subjects. When off the clock, Penny is usually getting lost in a new book at a local coffeehouse, watching foreign crime shows or planning her family’s next adventure.
Maine attorney general joins push to let banks serve state-licensed pot businesses
Without access to traditional banking, marijuana businesses don’t have a place to deposit their money, increasing the risk of criminal activity and preventing the tracking of financial data.
Legalization panel makes concession, votes to delay social cannabis clubs until 2023
The move is intended to shore up political support for implementing recreational marijuana rules, but advocates say it ignores the will of Maine voters.
State health department chief says medical marijuana program is lacking
Health and Human Services Commissioner Ricker Hamilton says bills under consideration fall short of providing sufficient oversight and resources.
Lawmakers propose new panel to integrate Maine’s medical, recreational marijuana programs
An advisory commission would address one concern listed by Gov. Paul LePage when he vetoed a recreational pot regulation bill last fall, Republicans say.
Lobstermen speak out against proposal to have Maine’s entire fleet report data
They say the fishery is so large in the state that the current 10 percent requirement gives regulators relevant data.
Maine lawmakers trying to rein in large medical marijuana growers
At a hearing in Augusta, lawmakers hear several ideas for containing big caregiver operations while leaving small operators alone.
Groups on opposite sides of cannabis issue craft plan to save legalization bill
After being at odds for years, the groups offer a proposal that would favor medical marijuana providers, prohibit social clubs for 3 years and tax pot at 17.5 percent.
Lobstermen alarmed at prospect of sharing their secrets with regulators
The Atlantic States Marine Fisheries Commission says it needs Maine data to reliably assess stocks.
Sessions’ move to enforce federal pot laws could kill buzz around Maine’s emerging industry
He reverses Obama’s hands-off policy on enforcement, raising questions for states that have legalized adult-use marijuana.