Maine legislature takes first votes on cannabis testing bill

April 13, 2026

STATEWIDE HOTLINE TO BE CONNECTED TO LOCAL RESOURCES AT 1-866-834-HELP. NEW TONIGHT AT 5… STATE LAWMAKERS HAVE UNTIL WEDNESDAY TO WRAP UP ANY UNFINISHED BUSINESS.. STATE LAWMAKERS ARE TAKING INITIAL VOTES ON A BILL THAT WOULD MAKE CHANGES TO BOTH MEDICAL MARIJUANA AND ADULT USE PROGRAM. THIS WOULD MANDATE TESTING FOR THINGS LIKE PESTICIDES… METALS AND OTHER CONTAMINANTS… CAREGIVERS SAY THIS WOULD HURT THEIR BUSINESS BUT THOSE IN FAVOR OF THIS PROPOSAL SAY THERE ARE FINANCIAL SUPPORT PROGRAMS AVAILABLE. “WE HAVE A CARVE OUT FOR SMALL CAREGIVERS. SO IF SOMEONE IS, HAS 30 PLANTS OR 500FT? OR 60 PLANTS AND 1000FT? FOR TWO FOLKS, THEY DON’T HAVE TO TEST THEIR PRODUCT, BUT THEY DO HAVE TO LABEL IT SO THAT PATIENTS KNOW THAT THIS HAS NOT BEEN TESTED, AND THAT’S THEIR CHOICE TO CONSUME THAT.” 17;38;58;11 “I LOOKED AT THE GRANT MONEY SITUATION, AND I DON’T BELIEVE THAT ANYONE WOULD USE THAT, THAT OPPORTUNITY, BECAUSE YOU WOULD HAVE TO MAKE UNDER A CERTAIN AMOUNT OF MONEY AND SPEND OVER 10% OF YO

Maine legislature takes first votes on cannabis testing bill

Caregivers say this would hurt their business, but those in favor of this proposal say there are financial support programs available.

Updated: 9:38 PM EDT Apr 13, 2026

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State lawmakers face a midweek deadline to wrap up unfinished business and one proposal could bring significant changes to Maine’s marijuana industry.Lawmakers are taking initial votes on a bill that would update rules for both medical marijuana and adult-use programs. The proposal would require testing for contaminants such as pesticides, heavy metals, and other substances.Supporters say the changes are aimed at improving consumer safety.Caregivers say this would hurt their business, but those in favor of this proposal say there are financial support programs available.”We have a carve-out for small caregivers,” said Becca Boulos with Maine Public Health. “So, if someone has 30 plants or 500 square feet, or 60 plants and 1,000 square feet for two folks, they don’t have to test their product. But they do have to label it so that patients know that this has not been tested, and that’s their choice to consume that.” “I looked at the grant money situation, and I don’t believe that anyone would use that opportunity,” said Lizzy Hayes, who opposes the bill. “Because you would have to make under a certain amount of money and spend over 10% of your income on testing, which nobody would do that.”The legislation failed in the House and will now move to the Senate.

State lawmakers face a midweek deadline to wrap up unfinished business and one proposal could bring significant changes to Maine’s marijuana industry.

Lawmakers are taking initial votes on a bill that would update rules for both medical marijuana and adult-use programs. The proposal would require testing for contaminants such as pesticides, heavy metals, and other substances.

Supporters say the changes are aimed at improving consumer safety.

Caregivers say this would hurt their business, but those in favor of this proposal say there are financial support programs available.

“We have a carve-out for small caregivers,” said Becca Boulos with Maine Public Health. “So, if someone has 30 plants or 500 square feet, or 60 plants and 1,000 square feet for two folks, they don’t have to test their product. But they do have to label it so that patients know that this has not been tested, and that’s their choice to consume that.”

“I looked at the grant money situation, and I don’t believe that anyone would use that opportunity,” said Lizzy Hayes, who opposes the bill. “Because you would have to make under a certain amount of money and spend over 10% of your income on testing, which nobody would do that.”

The legislation failed in the House and will now move to the Senate.