The Maine House Veterans and Legal Affairs Committee has voted to approve legislation that would create a distinct regulatory structure for sun-grown marijuana, with lower licensing fees and expanded cultivation limits for outdoor growers.
Sponsored by Representative Grayson Osher (D) and backed by a bipartisan group of lawmakers from both chambers, the measure now advances towards the full House after receiving support from the committee.
The legislation would define “sun-grown cultivation” and “sun-grown cultivator” in state law, applying to those who grow marijuana primarily using natural sunlight and limited artificial lighting. It proposes a separate licensing system for outdoor cultivators with reduced fees—such as $15,000 for a Tier 4 license, compared to $30,000 for indoor operations of the same size.
In the medical marijuana program, sun-grown caregivers would be allowed to cultivate up to 150 mature plants or use up to 2,500 square feet of canopy annually, significantly expanding current limits. The bill also includes changes to cultivation security protocols, a grace period for new employees awaiting ID card approval, and the removal of certain requirements such as mandatory yeast and mold testing for adult-use marijuana.
Supporters argue the bill aligns with Maine’s agricultural heritage, boosts sustainability, and improves affordability for small growers entering the legal market. The proposal now awaits further consideration by the full Legislature.
