A coalition of ten Republican lawmakers in Maine has introduced legislation that would expand the state’s adult-use cannabis market by allowing the establishment of cannabis hospitality lounges.
The legislation, House Bill 1365, was officially filed on Friday and has been referred to the Committee on Veterans and Legal Affairs for review. It’s titled An Act to Allow Consumption of Adult Use Cannabis in Locally Approved Hospitality Lounges.
If enacted into law, the proposal would allow municipalities to license or approve cannabis-friendly lounges where individuals 21 and older could legally consume cannabis and cannabis products. Unlike other cannabis establishments, these lounges would not require state licensing or oversight from the Office of Cannabis Policy, placing regulation firmly in the hands of local governments.
The measure was spearheaded by Representative Boyer and co-sponsored by Senator Bickford, along with eight other Republican lawmakers. Proponents argue that the bill would create new economic opportunities, increase tax revenue, and provide a safe, regulated space for cannabis consumption.
The bill also amends Maine’s smoking laws to explicitly allow the smoking of cannabis in these licensed lounges, which has been a point of contention since recreational cannabis was legalized in the state.
The Committee on Veterans and Legal Affairs will now review the measure and decide whether to advance it to the full House of Representatives.
