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.