A proposal that would enable Maine to sign interstate marijuana commerce contracts with other U.S. states that have legalized cannabis has been presented by a state legislator. Democratic Representative Joseph Perry’s bill would permit, with certain restrictions, the transportation, manufacturing, testing, acquisition, distribution and sale of marijuana or cannabis-related items entering and exiting Maine.
According to the legislation, such agreements are only permitted if the federal statute is changed, financing for interstate implementation is restricted and the Justice Department issues a statement stating that allowing trade between states would not put the state at greater risk of enforcement actions. Businesses that sell marijuana outside of Maine are required to abide by the laws there and cooperate with any inquiries into violations.
If passed, Maine would join Oregon and California in enabling interstate marijuana commerce when federal legislation changes.
The senate president of New Jersey submitted a comparable bill last year, but that proposed legislation hasn’t yet been passed. Regulation issues in Maine could arise from the movement of cannabis across states that forbid it. Maine is a small, remote state with only New Hampshire as a neighbor, and neither state has permitted cannabis for recreational use.
Maine’s cannabis authorities determined in a report issued a year ago that the state’s introduction of an adult-use marijuana business has already surpassed projections in terms of reducing unlawful sales. However, a cannabis company from Oregon filed a complaint in the U.S. courts last year asserting that the state’s prohibition of marijuana exports and imports from and to other states is unconstitutional.
In the same manner that a federal appeals court determined last year that Maine’s regulations preventing foreigners from holding medical cannabis enterprises within the state infringed the commerce provision of the Constitution of the United States, legal experts speculate that preventing the import and export of medicinal cannabis across consenting states may be viewed as restrictive and unlawful. This reasoning might also be used to undermine state-level restrictions on the import and export of marijuana.
If federal regulation changes, the proposed bill in Maine gives the state a chance to gain from interstate trade, perhaps strengthening its economy and generating jobs. However, Maine’s capacity to enter into such accords is now constrained. The measure attempts to give Maine access to the potential sources of income in the developing cannabis business. Additionally, it aims to safeguard public safety and create an oversight structure for cannabis sales.
When interstate commerce for marijuana is ever permitted, there could arise a production boom for the substance. Such a boom would have a positive effect on not only marijuana companies but also other industries that arise to meet the different needs of the thriving cannabis companies. Businesses such as Advanced Container Technologies Inc. (OTC: ACTX) could therefore benefit from allowing cross-state trade in marijuana.
NOTE TO INVESTORS: The latest news and updates relating to Advanced Container Technologies Inc. (OTC: ACTX) are available in the company’s newsroom at https://cnw.fm/ACTX
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