AUGUSTA, Maine – The Maine Office of Cannabis Policy (OCP) today announced the formation of its new Cannabis Hospitality Task Force, a 15-member panel tasked with reviewing how other states regulate cannabis hospitality establishments and drafting policy recommendations for regulating those establishments in Maine.
Pursuant to P.L. 2023, ch. 679, the members of the task force represent a wide range of stakeholder groups and offer a diversity of backgrounds, geography, and experience. The individuals selected to serve on the task force following a competitive application process include:
- Expert on Cannabis Policy: Sam Tracy
- Expert on Cannabis Culinary Arts: David Ferragamo, Private Chef; Pablo Barajas, Litty Bittys
- Representing the Interests of Adult Use Cannabis Consumers: Rose Mahoney; Steve Rusnack, Full Bloom Cannabis
- Representing the Interests of Municipal Governments: Chris Beaumont, City of Portland; Jon Rioux, Town of Windham
- Representing the Interests of Adult Use Cannabis Licensees: Natasha Johnson, Meristem; Richelle Brossi, Highbrow
- Representing the Interests of the Hospitality Industry: Julie Cutting-Kelley, Emerald Elevation/Cure Restaurant; Nate Cloutier, HospitalityMaine
- Representing Public Health: Anne Sedlack, Maine Medical Association; Jamie Comstock, Bangor Public Health; Jennifer Kelley-Young, City of Portland – Division of Public Health
- Supporter of the 2016 Cannabis Legalization Ballot Measure: Heather Sullivan, Curaleaf
The task force will meet at least four times over the coming months, with the first meeting occurring on Wednesday, July 10 from 1:00 – 4:00 p.m. EDT. The remaining three meetings will also take place at 1:00 p.m. on Wednesdays, July 24, August 14, and August 28.
“We are eager to begin this process and thank all the applicants who expressed interest in participating in this important work,” said OCP Director John Hudak. “We look forward to engaging in the necessary research and dialogue with the selected task force members to inform a thoughtful approach to cannabis hospitality policy in Maine.”
Interested members of the public may stream the task force meetings live, or review archived meetings, through OCP’s YouTube channel. Meeting materials, recordings, and other information may be viewed on OCP’s Cannabis Hospitality Task Force webpage as it becomes available.
About the Office of Cannabis Policy (OCP)
The Mills Administration created the Office of Cannabis Policy (OCP) within the Department of Administration and Financial Services (DAFS) in February 2019. The Office is responsible for the oversight of all aspects of legalized cannabis in Maine, including the Medical Use of Cannabis Program and the Adult Use Cannabis Program.