AUGUSTA — A bipartisan group of lawmakers is backing a proposal to require the director of the state Office of Cannabis Policy to be confirmed by the Senate rather than appointed by the governor’s administration.

Sen. Craig Hickman (D-Winthrop) presented the bill on Monday, saying he would support expanding the Legislature’s reach to also cover the directors of the state’s gambling and alcohol divisions.

He said the three entities “oversee industries that raise a lot of money for the state of Maine and that might need us as lawmakers to be able to consider asking questions of the person that is being chosen by the executive branch to run these different bureaus.”

Hickman’s bill, LD 584, is supported by Senate President Mattie Daughtry (D-Brunswick), Sen. Jeff Timberlake (R-Turner), House Minority Leader Billy Bob Faulkingham (R-Winter Harbor) and Rep. Laura Supica (D-Bangor), who is a co-sponsor.

When it comes to cannabis, the industry continues to grow in Maine, generating about $500 million in revenues from both medical and recreational sales, according to 2024 data.

Monday’s public hearing drew several supporters to the State House who expressed frustration with the cannabis policy office and a desire for more citizen input.

“The ability to confirm the director of cannabis policy through legislative oversight would provide much needed accountability, transparency and alignment with the realities of the industry,” said Jennifer Belcher, president of the Maine Cannabis Union.

Gov. Janet Mills opposes the legislation, saying through her attorney that changing the current system would open up the cannabis director to more political pressure.

Mills’ chief counsel Gerald Reid warned of “unpredictable results” that could come about if the position is subject to legislative approval.

“The only certainty is that the (cannabis director) would be more susceptible to political pressure, whatever the politics of the day may be, as well as potential pressure from commercial interests,” Reid wrote to members of the Veterans and Legal Affairs Committee. “This concern is heightened by the fact that Maine’s regulated cannabis industry continues to operate adjacent to a large illicit market.”

Consideration of the bill follows a vote in February by the Government Oversight Committee, which directed staff to investigate the office and its process for awarding contracts.

Rep. David Boyer (R-Poland) called for the investigation, saying he believes current Office of Cannabis Policy Director John Hudak has an ongoing conflict of interest with vendors who provide services to the state.

Boyer said that prior to Hudak’s hiring in November 2022, he was a founder of a firm that continues to provide consulting and other services to the state.

He said lawmakers and executive branch employees have a duty to avoid even the “appearance of misconduct.”

The current process for selecting a director of the cannabis office is for the commissioner of the Department of Administrative and Financial Services to appoint the director.

That commissioner is a cabinet official who is subject to Senate confirmation. In this instance, Commissioner Kirsten Figueroa said in a letter to the committee that she recruited Hudak to the post, citing his “vast experience and qualifications.”

She said Hudak disclosed his past business ties in the industry and does not reap any financial benefit from those companies. Figueroa also noted that cannabis regulators across the country are often subject to scrutiny.

“This position is the kind that is already challenging to fill with well-qualified candidates, and adding legislative confirmation to the process is likely to discourage some from considering the position,” she said.

The bill will come up for a committee vote in the next few weeks.