In accordance with the Maine Administrative Procedure Act (MAPA) and 22 M.R.S. § 2430, the Office of Cannabis Policy (OCP) is formally engaging in major substantive rulemaking for the Medical Cannabis Research Grant Program, 18-691 CMR, ch. 100.
Please use the links below to access the proposed rule and public comment form. All public comments must be submitted to OCP by Friday, October 23, 2026, at 5:00 p.m. Additional instructions are available here.
Medical Cannabis Research Grant Program, 18-691 CMR, ch. 100
- View the proposed Chapter 100 rule here (PDF)
- Use this form to submit public comment on the proposed Chapter 100 rulemaking
- The proposed rule specifies:
- The required qualifications for persons conducting the research;
- Factors to be used by grant application evaluators to assess the scientific merit and objectivity of a research proposal;
- Criteria for determining the amount of program funds distributed;
- Criteria for determining the duration of the research;
- Procedures for soliciting research participants, including outreach to patients, and for obtaining the informed consent of participants;
- Reporting requirements for the results of the research and evaluation of the research results, including requirements applicable to public access to any data and scientific publications resulting from work using grant funds; and
- The process by which the Office may recruit and utilize peer reviewers to assist in the review of grant applications received through a request for applications issued in accordance with State procurement laws and rules.
In addition to the form above, interested parties can email public comments or questions directly to Gabi.Pierce@maine.gov using the subject line "Rulemaking Public Comment". Public comments can also be submitted via USPS mail to the following address:
ATTN: Gabi Pierce
Office of Cannabis Policy
Department of Administrative and Financial Services
162 State House Station
Augusta, ME 04333-0162
The deadline for email receipt or USPS postmark is Friday, October 23, 2026, at 5:00 p.m.
OCP is also holding an in-person public hearing on Tuesday, October 13, 2026, to take public comments and questions on the proposed rule.
Public Hearing
Tuesday, October 13 at 10:00 a.m.
109 Capitol Street, Augusta, Maine
Maine Room, First Floor
Once the public comment process is complete, OCP will consider the feedback received and make appropriate revisions to the rule. Following these revisions, OCP will submit the provisionally adopted major substantive rule for review and consideration by the Maine Legislature before final adoption.