Maine

Maine’s cannabis industry has mixed feelings over federal drug reclassification

Published

3 months ago

December 22, 2025

Maine’s cannabis industry has mixed feelings over federal drug reclassification

A worker pulls leaves from the flower of a cannabis plant at Greenlight Dispensary in Grandview, Mo., in October 2022. (AP Photo/Charlie Riedel, File)

Last week’s executive order by President Trump to reclassify cannabis as a less dangerous drug is being heralded by Maine’s marijuana industry as “the most progress in cannabis policy in decades.”

But members aren’t ready to celebrate yet.

At face value, reclassifying the drug from Schedule I to Schedule III could be a boon for Maine’s two cannabis markets by opening up more opportunities for research and allowing business owners to deduct ordinary business expenses, something that is currently prohibited for businesses dealing in or “trafficking” schedule I and II substances.

Many in the industry, though, say the directive lacks teeth. It orders the U.S. Attorney General to work faster on a process that has been in the works since May 2024 but does not officially reclassify cannabis immediately.

It also does not legalize the drug, which remains illegal at that federal level, and some fear any changes could open the door for “big pharma” to take over Maine’s craft cannabis industry.

A STEP IN THE ‘RIGHT DIRECTION’

Matt Hawes, a founding member of the Maine Cannabis Industry Association, said he’s approaching the executive order with a sense of “cautious optimism.”

“It does appear to be another step in the direction of more appropriately placing this in the social and legal framework of our society,” Hawes said. “It has always been impossible to rationalize it as a schedule I drug. It’s still hard to rationalize it as a schedule III.”

Schedule I drugs are the most dangerous, meaning they have high abuse potential with no accepted medical use. Heroin and LSD are also schedule I drugs.

Schedule III drugs, which include ketamine and Tylenol with codeine, have recognized medical uses but moderate to low potential for abuse.

The potential for rescheduling is a “move in the right direction” that will hopefully lead to de-scheduling, said Paul McCarrier, a medical cannabis operator and advocate for Maine’s recreational and medical marijuana markets.

It’s the most progress in cannabis policy in decades, he said, and will allow more research opportunities that have so far largely been stymied by the government’s Schedule I designation.

Scientists have long described the problem as a catch-22: They can’t conduct research on cannabis until they demonstrate it has a medical use, and they can’t show the plant has a medical use until they conduct research.

In 2018, state statute established a medical cannabis research grant program, which authorized the department to provide grant money from the state’s Medical Use of Cannabis Fund to “support objective scientific research” on the plant’s medicinal uses.

So far, that fund has gone untapped, but that could change with a new designation, McCarrier said.

“Maine has another opportunity to be a leader in the cannabis industry and we should not waste it,” he said.

The Maine Office of Cannabis Policy, the state’s regulatory agency, said reducing barriers to research and the “significant tax relief” that would come from allowing tax deductions are the only two changes the program is likely to see.

“Across the past three presidential administrations, the Justice Department has taken a non-enforcement approach against state-regulated medical and adult use cannabis programs, and OCP fully expects there to be no change to that posture,” the agency said last year after the Biden administration announced plans to reclassify the drug.

A LOT TO LOSE

Tax deductions will of course create “improvement in the bottom line” for small businesses, but the change should not be seen as a win for the industry, said Mark Barnett, policy director for the Maine Craft Cannabis Association.

Rather, he said, “it’s removing something that is a truly grotesque abuse of the businesses that operate in this space.”

Barnett is hopeful that the government will eventually de-schedule the drug, which he said is the “only legal, only realistic interpretation of this agricultural product.”

But he’s also wary that the Trump administration will try to intervene in a program that has historically been left to the states to manage.

“It won’t matter if you’re in the medical market, it won’t matter if you’re in the adult-use market, it won’t matter if you’re in the CBD market. We all stand to lose a lot through federal involvement in cannabis policy,” he said.

That’s also why Hawes, of the Maine Cannabis Industry Association, isn’t more enthusiastic.

“There’s still plenty of unknowns related to this situation, but we know we’re introducing a new regulatory agency in the FDA and it’s unclear what types of regulations they may impose,” he said.

If they continue to defer to the state, the long-running small business model will likely continue.

“If they come in with an iron fist stance that everything has to be done in an FDA licensed facility,” however, “the investments that it would take to achieve those standards are likely unattainable for any business in Maine,” he said.

Hawes added that the news of possible reclassification is just the latest in what has been a “dizzying” few weeks for the cannabis industry, which is also contending with the effective re-criminalization of hemp and dealing with recent recalls of recreational product and plateauing sales. There is also a referendum petition to close the recreational market and ongoing legislative efforts to increase oversight of the medical market.

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Maine

Mainer wins second Oscar for ‘Avatar’ visual effects

Published

4 hours ago

March 16, 2026

Press Room

Maine native Eric Saindon was nominated for an Oscar for his visual effects work on “Avatar: Fire and Ash.” (20th Century Studios/Disney via AP)

Gorham native Eric Saindon won his second Oscar for visual effects Sunday night.

Saindon was nominated for his work as a visual effects supervisor on “Avatar: Fire and Ash.” Saindon had previously won an Oscar in 2023 for his work on “Avatar: The Way of the Water.”

Growing up in Gorham, where his high school graduating class had 125 students, Saindon never imagined standing on the Academy Awards stage.

“This award belongs to the entire team that brought the film to life,” Saindon wrote in an email. “Visual effects is a true collaboration, and I’m proud to be part of this talented community.”

Saindon accepted his Oscar on stage in Hollywood with three other members of the film’s visual effects team. He thanked everyone at Weta FX, where he works, and praised the late Jon Landau, producer of the “Avatar” films.

The other films up for the visual effects Oscar on Sunday inlcuded: “F1,” “Jurassic World Rebirth,” “The Lost Bus” and “Sinners.”

When Saindon won the Oscar in 2023, he attended the ceremony in Hollywood despite intense abdominal pain, and was rushed to a hospital immediately after the Oscars for surgery to repair a ruptured intestine. He was in so much pain, he said after, he did not remember holding up the Oscar at all, though photos show he clearly did.

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Gorham native Eric Saindon, second from right, after winning an Oscar in 2023. (Photo by Jordan Strauss/Invision/AP)

Saindon was also nominated for Oscars for “The Hobbit: The Desolation of Smaug” in 2014 and “The Hobbit: An Unexpected Journey” in 2013. He did not win either time.

After graduating from Gorham High School in 1988, Saindon took community college classes, and later studied architecture at Washington State University. He got a job out of college at a company that made animation software.

After that, he worked at the animation company Santa Barbara Studios in California. In 1999, he went to work at Weta Digital in New Zealand – now Weta FX – and worked his way up to senior visual effects supervisor. He’s been at Weta ever since and lives in Wellington, New Zealand, with his wife and four children.

Also Sunday night, a film about Maine-born poet Andrea Gibson, “Come See Me in the Good Light,” was nominated for an Oscar in the feature-length documentary category, but lost to “Mr. Nobody against Putin.” Gibson, who grew up in Calais, was a celebrated poet and performance artist who explored gender identity and politics.

Gibson died in July after a four-year battle with terminal ovarian cancer, at the age of 49, at their home in Boulder, Colorado. Gibson and their wife, Megan Falley, are the main subjects of the film, which won the Festival Favorite Award at the Sundance Film Festival and is streaming on Apple TV+. The film explores the couple’s enduring love as Gibson battles cancer.

The other nominees in the documentary category included: “The Alabama Solution,” “Cutting through Rocks,” and “The Perfect Neighbor.”

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Maine

Nebraska baseball sweeps Maine in comeback

Published

16 hours ago

March 15, 2026

Press Room

Nebraska baseball sweeps Maine in comeback

Nebraska baseball (14-5) concluded its series with Maine (2-16) in a Saturday doubleheader. The Huskers swept the Black Bears, overcoming nail-biting moments to take the series.

Nebraska started the day with a 6-3 victory, holding onto its lead despite Maine cutting into the margin. The Black Bears struck a two-run home run in the fourth, making it a 4-2 deficit. The Huskers added two more runs in the sixth, giving themselves room to breathe before taking the win.

Nebraska finished the game with 10 hits, while Maine totaled five. Mac Moyer led the Huskers in the win, batting 3-for-5 with two doubles and two RBIs. Jeter Worthley, Devin Nunez, Jett Buck and Drew Grego each earned one RBI. Worthley hit 3-for-4, Nunez finished 2-for-3, Buck batted 1-for-3 and Grego earned his RBI on a sacrificial fly.

Carson Jasa (3-1) started on the mound and snatched the win after pitching 6.2 innings. He struck out a career-high 10 batters and allowed three runs on four hits. Colin Nowaczyk closed out the seventh and started the eighth, recording one strikeout against one hit across 0.2 innings. Cooper Katskee got the save after tossing the final 1.2 innings and allowing no hits.

Nebraska then put together a major comeback in the second game, storming back in the ninth with a five-run rally to win 8-7. This came after Maine took an 8-2 lead by scoring seven runs in the sixth. The Huskers finished the game with 11 hits. The Black Bears totaled 10 hits.

Rhett Stokes hit the walk-off two-RBI single in the ninth, ending the game hitting 2-for-4. Case Sanderson totaled three RBIs after batting 3-for-5. Buck finished 2-for-5 with an RBI. Joshua Overbeek delivered a solo home run and finished 2-for-4. Nunez hit 1-for-5 with an RBI.

Jalen Worthley (1-0) got the win by pitching the final 1.1 innings. He allowed no runs and fired one strikeout. Gavin Blachowicz started the game for Nebraska and pitched 5.2 innings. He threw nine strikeouts and allowed three runs across seven hits and a walk.

The Huskers hit the road for their next series, heading down to Wichita State for a two-game series starting on Tuesday night. The first pitch is set for 6 p.m. CT on ESPN+.

Contact/Follow us @CornhuskersWire on X (formerly Twitter) and like our page on Facebook to follow ongoing coverage of Nebraska news, notes and opinions.

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Maine

Where to take your dog in western Maine, from patios to trails

Published

1 day ago

March 15, 2026

Press Room

Where to take your dog in western Maine, from patios to trails

Chevy, owned by the Thompson/Lovejoy family of West Bethel, was photographed in January. (Rose Lincoln/Staff Writer)

BETHEL

Valentine Farm, 162 North Road, welcomes leashed dogs to its 150 acres owned by Mahoosuc Land Trust. The mostly flat property features three looped trails laid out like a three-leaf clover. Two are wooded, while the third winds through a grassy field to the Androscoggin River and back. Visitors are reminded: “No poop on the loop.”

Mt. Will trail on Route 2, about 10 minutes from Bethel village, is a moderate three-mile looped hike. A warning for old or arthritic dogs: the trail can be a little tricky and sometimes icy, especially near the summit, where there is a great view of the Androscoggin River.

Bring your pup along the snow-covered trails at Carter’s X-country, 786 Intervale Road, Bethel. Cost is $15 for a doggie day pass. (Leave the dog in the car if you plan to use the center’s new sauna after your workout).

After your outing, refuel at one of two area dog-friendly eateries. At Gemini Cafe & Bakery, 96 Main St., Bethel, leashed dogs are welcome on their outdoor patio. As the weather warms, Steam Mill Brewery, 96 Sunday River Road, Bethel, opens its outdoor seating area to four-legged guests as well.

Cameron Gross’ dogs Gus and Chelsea, of Hanover, chase Juno, owned by Pam Freeman, of Bethel (not pictured), at Valentine Farm on North Road in Bethel in December 2022. (Rose Lincoln/Bethel Citizen)

FARMINGTON

Powder House Hill Trails, 218 Titcomb Hill Road, welcomes dog walkers to its 188 acre, multiuse recreational trail network. The trailheads are all located less than a mile from downtown Farmington and are open from dawn to dusk year-round. The trail network includes the 44-acre Flint Woods, the 43-acre Village Woods and the 10-acre Bonney Woods.

The trails are managed by the Bonney Woods Corp., which asks that you keep your dog under control and on a leash at all times and to pick up after their messes. They also advise users to stay on the established trails to protect vegetation, animal habitat quality and to prevent erosion.

The Prescott Field Trail System offers a 0.4-mile out-and-back gravel path that travels along the edge of Prescott Field and down to the Sandy River. The trail was a project of the High Peaks Alliance and the University of Maine, and is fully-accessible to the banks of the river. The trail begins at the south end of Front Street near the Prescott softball field on the UMF campus.

Meetinghouse Park at 139 Main St. is in the heart of Farmington’s downtown, is host to an historic Gazebo and features several tributes to veterans. The town invites families to “let the kids and the dog run free,” according to the town website.

OXFORD HILLS

The Wook Nook at 495 Main St. in Norway welcomes dogs to attend its outdoor summer concerts. Down the street a few blocks, 290 Maine St. serves water to visiting pooches as staff greet customers to the patio dining area. Brenda Melhus, owner of Norway Brewing at 237 Main St., tells us that any day their patio is open, dogs have an open invitation.

In South Paris, Norway Soft Serve on Main Street is a popular summer stop for people/canine teams.

Norway resident Carissa Daniels urges dog lovers to pose their dogs at iconic spots around Maine, including the World Traveler Signpost, an Albany Township attraction that dates back to the 1930s. Tink, pictured here, is one of Daniels’ many dogs that go to fun places around Oxford Hills. (Courtesy of Carissa Daniels)

Oxbow Brew Pub at 420 Main St. in Oxford is also known for its dog-friendly atmosphere. Rocket Ron’s American Grill is a food truck at 576 Main St. in Oxford and gets an extra thumbs-up for offering free snacks to dogs accompanied by their people.

Tractor Supply’s doors are always open for customers to bring their dogs inside. The Oxford store is at 1272 Main St.

For the adventurous among us, dogsledding is regularly done on the ITS trail between Hebron and Buckfield and at Hancock Lumber’s Jugtown Forest Trail off Ellen Drive in Naples. The Roberts Farm Preserve on Roberts Road in Norway holds Cani-cross races Sunday mornings during the fall and winter seasons.

And leashed dogs are welcomed at public trails in the region, including at Hawk Mountain and Mount Tire ‘m in Waterford, Pennesseewassee Park in Norway and the Smith Bridge Preserve in Oxford.

RANGELEY AREA

The Rangeley Lakes Trail Center has over 30 miles of conserved trails in Dallas Plantation. Dogs are welcome on select trails during the winter months, including the Geneva Loop for skijoring and snowshoeing. Dogs must remain on a leash at all times during a hike.

Parkside & Main at 2520 Main St. in downtown Rangeley allows dogs on its outdoor deck during the summer months. Be sure to keep your pup on a leash while dining as a courtesy to other customers.

Cascade Stream Gorge trail, owned by the Rangeley Lakes Heritage Trust is a 1 mile trail in Sandy River Plantation with views of a stream and waterfalls along the path. Make sure to practice “leave no trace” on your hike and pick up after your dog.

RUMFORD AREA

The dog park at McGouldrick Park in Dixfield at 38 Dix Ave. features a small fenced-off section for small dogs and a larger section for medium and large dogs. There are posted rules and the park is equipped with waste removal stations.

In 2023, Dirigo student Kiley LaFollette presented to the Dixfield Select Board her idea to add a dog park to McGouldrick Park. Her presentation inspired the creation of Friends of McGouldrick Park, a nonprofit, which has brought new life to the park and community. The park features a section for the pooches, as well as a new playground, new boat launch, new picnic tables, and an improved ice skating rink for the humans.

The Swift River Trail is a .8 mile paved path through the woods between the river and Hosmer Field Athletic Complex in Rumford. The parking lot for this trail can be reached by turning off Hosmer Lane on the west side of the river by the basketball courts. Dogs must be leashed and their waste picked up.

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