York County Cannabis – Is It Legal & Where To Buy 2024

Is Cannabis Cultivation Legal in York County?

Guided by Maine’s Medical Use of Marijuana Act and Marijuana Legalization Act, York County residents may cultivate medical and adult-use marijuana indoors and outdoors for commercial and personal use. Other rules are also implemented by relevant state agencies, as stated by the Office of Cannabis Policy.

A qualifying patient may cultivate six mature plants, 12 immature plants, and unlimited seedlings for medical use. The selected cultivation area may be indoor or outdoor but should be fully enclosed with locks and other security devices to prevent unauthorized access. Two or more qualifying patients living under the same residence may share a maximum of two cultivation areas. Each qualifying patient may only possess up to 8 pounds of harvested marijuana. Registered caregivers may maintain two cultivation areas to cultivate 60 immature and 30 mature plants.

Meanwhile, York County residents aged 21 or above may also cultivate adult-use marijuana personally. Following state laws, each resident may grow three mature plants, 12 immature plants, and unlimited seedlings. Each mature plant must have a tag containing the cultivator’s name, ID number, a note stating that the plant is for personal adult use, and the name of the landowner where the plant is cultivated. All cultivation areas must be secured from unauthorized access and should not be visible to the public’s eyes.

The Department of Administrative and Financial Services (DAFS) grants cultivation facility licenses to applicants upon successfully evaluating their application to grow marijuana commercially. Cultivation facility license may be classified as:

• Tier 1 cultivation facility license - may cultivate 30 mature and unlimited immature plants and seedlings in a 500 square feet canopy.

• Tier 2 cultivation facility license - may cultivate in a 2,000 square feet canopy.

• Tier 3 cultivation facility license - may cultivate in a 7,000 square feet canopy.

• Tier 4 cultivation facility license - may cultivate in a 20,000 square feet canopy.

• Nursery cultivation facility license - may cultivate in a 1,000 square feet canopy.

An operating plan and cultivation plan are required from cultivation facilities to demonstrate that they have the capacity to cultivate marijuana responsibly. Medical and adult-use marijuana should be cultivated separately.

Is Cannabis Manufacturing Legal in York County?

Yes, cannabis manufacturing is legal in York County. This involves all activities related to the production of marijuana and marijuana products, such as blending, infusing, compounding, and extraction. Different manufacturing facilities are licensed by the DAFS to manufacture medical and adult-use marijuana.

Registered Manufacturing Facilities manufacture medical marijuana using methods not involving any hazardous substances, except if authorized. These facilities acquire harvested marijuana from qualifying patients, caregivers, or registered dispensaries. Edibles may only be produced if the manufacturing facility has a food establishment license. All manufactured medical marijuana products must be stored in tamper-resistant packaging and labeled with the registry ID number of the manufacturing facility, ingredients, and other chemicals or substances used.

On the other hand, adult-use marijuana is manufactured by Products Manufacturing Facilities duly approved to operate with a commercial kitchen license. Extraction may only be done using water, lipids, gases, and solvents approved by the Department. These facilities may utilize a shared facility in manufacturing medical and adult-use marijuana, including equipment, supplies, and general office space. However, the equipment must not be used to manufacture medical and adult-use marijuana simultaneously. Pursuant to Subchapter 7, manufactured adult-use marijuana must be packaged in child-resistant and tamper-evident packaging. These must also be labeled appropriately with the facility's license number, health and safety warnings, batch number, net content, potency, list of ingredients, and nutritional fact panel for edibles.

Is Cannabis Retail Legal in York County?

Yes. York County allows the operation of registered dispensaries and cannabis stores to sell medical and adult-use marijuana, respectively. Qualifying patients and adults aged 21 or above may be able to purchase edibles, flowers, pre-rolls, vaporizers, concentrates, topicals, and accessories from these dispensaries.

Registered dispensaries must be located 500 feet away from public and private schools. Qualifying patients may purchase 2.5 ounces of harvested marijuana every 15 days. Following state regulations, registered dispensaries may also cultivate, manufacture, and transport marijuana to assist qualifying patients residing in York County.

York County residents who want to purchase adult-use marijuana must be at least 21. Cannabis stores require a valid ID with a photograph and proof of age before dispensing. A total of 2.5 ounces of adult-use marijuana and products that includes no more than 5 grams of marijuana concentrate may be purchased at one time. Intoxicated consumers may not purchase marijuana products.

Medical and adult-use marijuana cannot be sold together by one dispensary.

Is Cannabis Delivery Legal in York County?

York County allows the delivery of medical and adult-use marijuana by registered dispensaries and cannabis stores, respectively.

Following state regulations, deliveries may only be from 7:00 AM to 10:00 PM. A maximum of 2.5 ounces of marijuana, a combination of 2.5 ounces of marijuana and products, or 12 seedlings or immature plants may be delivered per transaction. No limitations are set for the number of marijuana seedlings. Only those who placed their orders online may be allowed to receive the delivered products. Consumers must present a valid ID card or medical marijuana card during delivery.

All dispensaries offering delivery services must ensure that their employees receive appropriate training. Delivery is not allowed in designated safe zones. Moreover, deliveries are also not allowed in temporary rental facilities such as hotels, lodging houses, and campgrounds.

How to Get Medical Marijuana Card in York County

As of March 2023, Maine has repealed the specific debilitating conditions which provide qualifications to patients who aim to obtain a medical marijuana card. Instead, York County residents had been given an easier process to become medical marijuana patients.

Residents aged 18 or older must consult a Maine-certified medical provider to have their medical conditions assessed. A medical marijuana certificate will then be issued if the patient is deemed eligible to become a member of the Maine Medical Use of Marijuana Program. After this, the certifying physician is responsible for registering the patient in the program. An electronic version of the Maine Medical Marijuana Card may be printed upon approval within a few minutes. The patient may expect to receive the original and physical copy of their certificate and ID in their residence within seven days.

How Has Cannabis Legalization Impacted the Economy of York County?

Since the legalization of medical and adult-use marijuana in Maine, York County has contributed to the growth of the State’s economy. Maine imposes sales and excise tax on marijuana. All collected tax revenue is deposited into the State’s General Fund, except that on or before the last day of each month, 12% of the sales and excise tax revenues are transferred into the Adult Use Cannabis Public Health and Safety and Municipal Opt-in Fund.

In February 2023, Maine reported a total adult-use retail sale of $14,451,293 through 242,282 recorded sales transactions. For medical use, the State has recorded 8,419 printed patient certificates, 2,124 registered caregivers, and 725 medical providers in the same month.

The Effects of Cannabis Legalization on Crime Rates in York County

York County Sheriff’s Office recorded decreasing crime rates related to marijuana since the State legalized its medical use and adult use. According to its report on the FBI Crime Data Explorer, arrests for marijuana possession decreased from 80 in 2015 to six in 2021. Meanwhile, arrests for marijuana sales decreased from three in 2015 to two in 2021.

Throughout the years, arrests for marijuana possession have been as follows: 56 in 2016, 21 in 2017, 23 in 2018, eight in 2019, and five in 2020. On the other hand, the recorded marijuana sales arrests were two in 2016, one in 2017 and 2018, four in 2019, and three in 2020.