Maine

Maine lawmakers consider bills to require medical cannabis testing

Published

11 months ago

May 5, 2025

Maine lawmakers consider bills to require medical cannabis testing

AUGUSTA — The state’s medical cannabis industry took center stage at the State House Monday as lawmakers considered two bills to institute new testing requirements.

As it is now, recreational cannabis sold in Maine is subject to testing for pesticides, mold and metals. But cannabis sold through the medical market is not required to be tested.

It’s a loophole that the Maine Public Health Association wants to close.

“These products are used by folks across Maine to manage health conditions,” said Matt Wellington, associate director of the association. “They deserve assurance that they are not contaminated with substances that could actually harm their health.”

Statistics from the Maine Office of Cannabis Policy show 42% of medical cannabis tested in 2023 had at least one contaminant that would have failed standards set for the adult use program.

However, several medical cannabis growers and patients oppose the bills, saying they will add costs to small farmers who already operate on thin margins.

Derek Shirley, a medical cannabis patient who is active at the State House, said growers are focused on clean, affordable products.

“People have been using cannabis for hundreds of thousands of years without testing just fine,” he said. “We believe this is an attack method to destroy the remaining small businesses and farmers.”

Shirley said the medical cannabis industry has dropped from more than 3,000 registered caregivers to 1,600.

“These regulations would put a lot of farmers out of business,” he said. “Regardless of how you feel about cannabis, medical, adult use, cannabis is one of our top agricultural plants.”

Maine has two systems that govern the sale of cannabis. One is a medical program that has more than 1,600 registered caregivers who serve more 100,000 people each year, according to the Maine Office of Cannabis Policy.

The adult-use or recreational program had nearly $244 million in sales in 2024, representing 4.5 million transactions. So far this year, the adult use sector has reported about $56 million in sales.

One bill considered by the Veterans and Legal Affairs Committee on Monday is LD 104, which would require mandatory testing of medical cannabis for pesticides, heavy metals and mold.

The other, LD 1847, would also institute testing, tracking and tracing requirements and establish a cap on the amount of THC in edible medical cannabis products.

In addition, it seeks to form a study group to examine youth cannabis use, divert some of the taxes collected on adult sales toward public health and safety awareness and change packaging requirements for edible gummies to reduce accidental ingestion.

Rep. Marc Malon (D-Biddeford) is sponsoring LD 104 at the request of the state’s cannabis policy office. He said he too strongly supports the new testing requirements and noted that of the more than 30 states with medical cannabis programs, Maine is the only one that does not require testing.

“The word medical means something, it connotes a higher purpose and quality,” Malon said.

The committee will consider the bills at a future work session.

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Maine

Hidden Gem Maine Japanese Restaurant Serves Sushi, Appetizers on Huge Wooden Boats

Published

1 hour ago

March 25, 2026

Press Room

Hidden Gem Maine Japanese Restaurant Serves Sushi, Appetizers on Huge Wooden Boats

How far would you be willing to travel for delicious food or a unique experience? What about both?

There’s a restaurant in Lincoln, Maine, called Ninja Japanese Steakhouse Express that you might want to consider visiting.

This small eatery specializes in express-style Japanese dining, boasting a 4.7/5 on Google, but it’s the visually mesmerizing and delicious super-sized sushi and appetizer platter boats that truly stand out.

Sushi Boat at Ninja Japanese Steakhouse Express in Lincoln, Maine

Sure, Ninja Japanese Steakhouse Express has a variety of foods to choose from when you’re feeling hungry, and there’s even some Chinese and Thai options as well.

But there’s something about ordering a meal that comes served up on a large wooden boat that sets the tone for a truly one-of-a-kind meal.

The Lincoln restaurant has that in both its sushi boat and Tokyo boat.

Let’s just say they are a feast for the eyes and mouth.

Looking at Ninja Japanese Steakhouse Express’ menu highlights its sushi boat options, either for one or two, at $86 or $99, respectively. So go big or go home, right?

When Did Ninja Japanese Steakhouse Express Open in Lincoln, Maine?

Ninja Japanese Steakhouse Express is a relatively new venture, having opened in 2024 in Lincoln.

Right from its grand debut, the restaurant noted on its Facebook page that from “savory Hibachi and Teriyaki to Bento boxes and Sushi, every dish is crafted with fresh ingredients and mouthwatering flavors that will have you coming back for more.”

Not only was there a positive response from the outset, but that excitement for the restaurant has continued today, especially with the incredibly fun boat service loaded with food.

Ninja Japanese Steakhouse Express

Here’s just a few recent reviews:

“Great food, friendly service fair prices! Worth the 70 mile round trip! Will be seeing us again!”

“The portions are very generous, the food was very tasty and all ingredients were fresh and well prepared.”

“The man that was there running things and cooking was SO friendly and helpful and hospitable. He kept bringing things out for us to try and talked to us and treated us like family.”

READ MORE: Hit Up All 5 Maine Restaurants Featured on Guy Fieri’s ‘Diners, Drive-Ins & Dives’ for the Ultimate Road Trip

At the end of the day, you could order a normal plate of sushi, or you could go all in and get a super boat of it. Sounds like a drive to this hidden gem location for a special meal seems like an adventure worth setting sail for.

Hungry for some sushi?

40 Maine Restaurants That are Worth a Long Drive to Get to

Thanks to our great listeners we were able to compile a list of many of Maine’s great restaurants, cafes, pubs and bakeries that are worth a long drive to get to.

These great spots can be found across the state and waiting for you to give them a try.

How many have you been to?

Gallery Credit: Chris Sedenka

These Are 14 Must-Visit Hidden Gem Destinations in Maine

Gallery Credit: Megan

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Maine

Maine Senate advances ‘right to repair’ electronics bill

Published

13 hours ago

March 25, 2026

Press Room

Maine Senate advances ‘right to repair’ electronics bill

AUGUSTA, Maine (WGME) — The Maine Senate is advancing a “right to repair” electronics bill.

The legislation aims to lower repair costs and reduce electronic waste by forcing manufacturers to share parts and repair tools with the public.

The bill faces more votes in the house and senate.

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Ten states have already passed electronic “right to repair” laws.

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Maine

NMCC Nursing Program Ranked No. 2 in Maine for 2025

Published

1 day ago

March 24, 2026

Press Room

NMCC Nursing Program Ranked No. 2 in Maine for 2025

PRESQUE ISLE, Maine (WAGM) -Northern Maine Community College’s registered nursing program has been ranked No. 2 in Maine for 2025 by NursingExplorer.com, a national education resource that evaluates nursing programs based on graduate success on licensure examinations.

The NMCC program earned the recognition with a 96.60% weighted average pass rate on the National Council Licensure Examination for Registered Nurses over the past three years, placing the college among the top-performing nursing programs in the state. The ranking comes as demand for qualified nurses remains strong across Maine, particularly in rural and northern communities.

“These results demonstrate the dedication of our students, faculty and clinical partners who work together to ensure graduates are prepared for the realities of today’s health care environment,” said Andrew Gagnon, RN, MSN, CCRN, NR-P, CHSE, department chair of nursing, EMS and allied health at Northern Maine Community College. “We are proud to see our program recognized for its consistent quality as we continue preparing nurses to serve communities across Aroostook County and throughout Maine.”

Maine is home to approximately 15 nursing education programs, with most concentrated in southern and central population centers such as Portland, Lewiston, Bangor and Augusta. This distribution can create access challenges for students in more rural regions, making northern training opportunities especially important for local workforce development.

“Northern Maine Community College is proud to provide nursing education that meets the highest standards while remaining accessible to students in northern Maine,” said Doug Binsfeld, Ed.D., president of Northern Maine Community College. “Our graduates make a meaningful impact in rural communities and are equally prepared to pursue opportunities in larger health care settings across the state.”

Employment prospects for nurses in Maine remain favorable, driven by an aging population and ongoing workforce shortages. Maine’s participation in the Nurse Licensure Compact also allows licensed nurses to practice in more than 30 participating states, expanding career mobility and professional opportunities for graduates.

According to NursingExplorer.com, rankings are based on NCLEX pass-rate data collected over a three-year period. Results are weighted by the number of test takers in each cohort, with additional emphasis placed on more recent outcomes to reflect current program performance.

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