AUGUSTA — A new coalition is pushing for changes to Maine’s cannabis laws, including a measure to require the testing of medical cannabis.

The Alliance for Responsible Cannabis in Maine includes health professionals, child health advocates and state lawmakers who want medical cannabis to be tested.

Current law requires recreational cannabis to be tested for pesticides, mold and metals, but not medical cannabis.

“Out of dozens of states with medical cannabis programs, Maine is the only one which does not require testing,” said Rep. Marc Malon (D-Biddeford). 

Malon, who is sponsoring legislation to require testing, said more than 100,000 people in Maine use medical cannabis.

Maine has two systems that govern the sale of cannabis. One is a medical program that has more than 1,600 caregivers who served more than 8,000 patients in January, according to the Office of Cannabis Policy.

The adult-use or recreational program had nearly $244 million in sales in 2024, representing 4.5 million transactions.

Sen. Marianne Moore (R-Calais) is a supporter of a bill to require the testing of medical cannabis. (Spectrum News/Susan Cover)

The coalition, led by the Maine Public Health Association, cited statistics from the state cannabis office that shows 42% of medical cannabis tested in 2023 had at least one contaminant that would have failed standards set for the adult use program.

At a Tuesday press conference, Sen. Marianne Moore (R-Calais) said a testing requirement would be good for business and for patients.

“Without mandatory testing, tracking and tracing, medical cannabis patients lack assurance that the products they are consuming are free from harmful contaminants like pesticides, heavy metals and mold,” she said. 

In addition, another bill seeks to limit the potency of medical cannabis similar to what’s already in place for recreational cannabis.

“Nearly one in five high schoolers are currently using cannabis,” said Rep. Anne Graham (D-North Yarmouth). “Cannabis today is five times stronger than the cannabis of the 1970s.”

Dr. Amy Mayhew, a child and adolescent psychiatrist, said given the high rate of cannabis use among youth, the state should find ways to protect them from the effects of high THC levels.

“The fact that there’s no universal requirement for testing the potency of medical cannabis or limits on how much THC is available is very concerning to me, especially since kids 18 and older can access medical cannabis without going through a primary care provider,” she said. 

The Maine Cannabis Coalition, which represents the state’s medical cannabis industry, did not return a phone call seeking comment.

The bills supported by the Alliance for Responsible Cannabis have not yet been scheduled for public hearings.