28-A M.R.S. § 1077 — ME Code / Title 28-A / Part 3 / Chapter 43 / Section 1077
28-A §1077. Public service corporations
Status: in_force

1. Licenses. The bureau may issue licenses under this section for the sale of spirits, wine and malt liquor by vessel corporations, railroad corporations and airline corporations in their vessels, passenger cars, dining cars and aircraft. [PL 2021, c. 658, §206 (AMD).]

2. Vessel corporations. The requirements and conditions for licenses for vessel corporations are as follows. A. The bureau may not require that the vessels operated by vessel corporations be equipped to supply food or provide food service. [PL 2021, c. 658, §206 (AMD).] B. Except as provided in subparagraph (1), licenses issued under this section to vessel corporations operating vessels on coastal waters authorize the licensees to sell liquor on board those vessels after leaving and before reaching ports on coastal waters. Except as provided in subparagraph (1), licenses issued under this section to vessel corporations operating vessels on inland waters within the State authorize the licensees to sell liquor on board those vessels after leaving and before reaching docks on inland waters within the State. (1) A licensee may sell liquor for consumption on board a vessel that is in port or docked only if prior approval for the sale is obtained from the bureau under the license application procedure in section 653 . A separate approval must be obtained for each port or dock location from which on-board sales of liquor are to be made. [PL 2021, c. 658, §206 (AMD).] C. A vessel corporation licensed to sell liquor under this section may sell liquor on Sundays only between the hours of 5 a.m. and 1 a.m. the following day on board vessels operating on inland waters or on coastal waters. [PL 2021, c. 658, §206 (AMD).] D. Notwithstanding the provisions of sections 121 and 122 , a vessel corporation licensed under this section may sell liquor on board vessels operating on inland waters without approval of the municipal officers or, in the case of unincorporated places, the county commissioners. [PL 2021, c. 658, §206 (AMD).] For purposes of this subsection, "coastal waters" has the same meaning as in Title 12, section 6001, subsection 6 . [PL 2021, c. 658, §206 (AMD).]

3. Railroad corporations. The requirements and conditions for licenses for railroad corporations are as follows. A. The license issued to a railroad corporation operating dining cars or passenger cars within the State authorizes the licensee to sell liquor to be consumed in those dining cars or passenger cars only after leaving and before reaching the terminal stops. [PL 2021, c. 658, §206 (AMD).] [PL 2021, c. 658, §206 (AMD).]

4. Airline corporations. The requirements and conditions for licenses for airline corporations are as follows. A. The license issued to an airline corporation operating aircraft within the State authorizes the licensee to sell liquor in those aircraft to be consumed in the aircraft only after leaving and before reaching airports within the State. [PL 2021, c. 658, §206 (AMD).] [PL 2021, c. 658, §206 (AMD).]

5. License sufficient throughout the State. One license issued under this section is sufficient to cover all vessels, passenger cars, dining cars or aircraft operated by the licensed public service corporation. [PL 2021, c. 658, §206 (AMD).]
28-A M.R.S. § 353 — ME Code / Title 28-A / Part 2 / Chapter 15 / Section 353
28-A §353. Business hours
Status: in_force

Agency liquor stores may be open for the sale and delivery of spirits as provided in section 4, subsection 1 in municipalities that have voted in favor of the sale of spirits for off-premises consumption under local option provisions and in unincorporated places where the sale of liquor for off-premises consumption has been authorized by the county commissioners under section 122 . Notwithstanding any local option decisions to the contrary, agency liquor stores may be open from 5 a.m. Sunday to 1 a.m. the following day. [PL 2021, c. 658, §65 (AMD).]
28-A M.R.S. § 1201-A — ME Code / Title 28-A / Part 3 / Chapter 45 / Section 1201-A
28-A §1201-A. Transfer of spirits among certain licensees
Status: in_force

Notwithstanding section 606, subsection 1 and section 1201, subsection 3‑A , if a business or corporation has multiple locations in the State licensed to sell spirits for consumption off the premises, spirits may be transferred from one of those licensed locations to another to facilitate the sale of those spirits. A licensee that transfers spirits from one location to another in accordance with this section must notify the bureau of all transfers in advance on a form determined by the bureau. The licensee shall maintain a record of all transfers made in accordance with this section. [PL 2003, c. 208, §1 (NEW).]
28-A M.R.S. § 1208 — ME Code / Title 28-A / Part 3 / Chapter 45 / Section 1208
28-A §1208. Dual liquor license (REALLOCATED FROM TITLE 28-A, SECTION 1207)
Status: in_force

(REALLOCATED FROM TITLE 28-A, SECTION 1207)

Notwithstanding any other provision of law, the bureau may issue a dual liquor license to a retail establishment to serve wine to be consumed on the premises in accordance with subsection 2 if that establishment is licensed to sell wine to be consumed off the premises and meets the criteria listed in subsection 1 . [PL 2009, c. 510, §7 (RAL).]

1. Minimum criteria. In order for the bureau to issue a dual liquor license in accordance with this section the following criteria must be met: A. The licensee has submitted an application as prescribed by the bureau and the fee under subsection 3 to the bureau; [PL 2009, c. 510, §7 (RAL).] B. The licensee's establishment includes a full kitchen that prepares hot and cold meals to be consumed on the premises; [PL 2009, c. 510, §7 (RAL).] C. The licensee's establishment includes at least 2 restrooms available for use by patrons; [PL 2009, c. 510, §7 (RAL).] D. The licensee has dedicated an area of the establishment with table seating for a minimum of 16 people to sit and eat a meal prepared by the licensee; [PL 2009, c. 510, §7 (RAL).] E. The licensee carries a stock of at least $35,000 of wine; [PL 2009, c. 510, §7 (RAL).] F. The licensee has not committed a violation of this chapter during the past 2 years; and [PL 2009, c. 510, §7 (RAL).] G. The licensee has received approval from the appropriate municipal officers prior to submitting an application to the bureau. [PL 2009, c. 510, §7 (RAL).] [PL 2009, c. 510, §7 (RAL).]

2. License requirements. The holder of a dual liquor license is governed by the following when serving wine to be consumed on the premises: A. Each serving of wine must be dispensed by the licensee or an employee of the licensee who is at least 21 years of age from a stock of wine that is separated from the wine that is for sale for consumption off the premises; [PL 2009, c. 510, §7 (RAL).] B. The licensee shall ensure that at least one employee at least 21 years of age is present at all times when wine is being consumed on the premises; [PL 2019, c. 559, §1 (AMD).] C. Wine may be served only if a full meal is available for purchase and consumption on the premises; and [PL 2021, c. 658, §223 (AMD).] D. A licensee under this section may not permit a patron of the establishment to consume any liquor on the premises other than wine served in accordance with the requirements of this section. [PL 2021, c. 658, §224 (AMD).] E. [PL 2019, c. 559, §4 (RP).] [PL 2021, c. 658, §§223, 224 (AMD).]

3. License fee. The license fee for a dual liquor license is $600 annually in addition to the license to sell malt liquor or wine for consumption off the premises. [PL 2009, c. 510, §7 (RAL).]

4. Rules. The bureau shall adopt rules to implement this section. Rules adopted in accordance with this subsection are routine technical rules as defined by Title 5, chapter 375, subchapter 2‑A . [PL 2009, c. 510, §7 (RAL).]
28-A M.R.S. § 1364 — ME Code / Title 28-A / Part 3 / Chapter 51 / Section 1364
28-A §1364. Invoices and reports
Status: in_force

1. Furnish invoices. All certificate of approval holders shall promptly file with the bureau a copy of every invoice sent to wholesale licensees and the original copy of the Maine purchase order. The invoice must include the licensee's name and the purchase number. [PL 1997, c. 373, §119 (AMD).]

2. File monthly reports. All certificate of approval holders shall furnish a monthly report on or before the 15th day of each calendar month in the form prescribed by the bureau. [PL 2011, c. 147, §1 (AMD).]

3. Certification that excise tax paid. A certificate of approval holder may not ship or cause to be transported into the State any malt liquor or wine until the bureau has certified that: A. The excise tax has been paid; or [PL 1987, c. 45, Pt. A, §4 (NEW).] B. The wholesale licensee, to whom shipment is to be made, has filed a bond to guarantee payment of the excise tax as provided in section 1405 . [PL 2021, c. 658, §229 (AMD).] [PL 2021, c. 658, §229 (AMD).]

4. Reports of low-alcohol spirits products. [PL 2021, c. 658, §230 (RP).]

5. Limitation on definition of "certificate of approval holder." Notwithstanding section 2, subsection 8 , as used in this section, "certificate of approval holder" means an in-state manufacturer of malt liquor or wine licensed under section 1355‑A or an out-of-state manufacturer of or out-of-state wholesaler of malt liquor or wine that has been issued a certificate of approval under section 1361 . [PL 2019, c. 615, §3 (NEW); PL 2019, c. 615, §7 (AFF).]
28-A M.R.S. § 701 — ME Code / Title 28-A / Part 3 / Chapter 29 / Section 701
28-A §701. Proximity to schools; exception
Status: in_force

1. Location within 300 feet of churches and schools. Except as provided in paragraphs B and C , the bureau may not issue a new license for the sale of liquor to be consumed on the premises to new premises within 300 feet of a public or private school, school dormitory, church, chapel or parish house in existence as such at the time the application for the new license is made. A. [PL 1987, c. 342, §33 (RP).] B. The bureau may after holding a public hearing near the proposed location issue licenses to premises that are either in or within 300 feet of a church, chapel, parish house or postsecondary school. [PL 1997, c. 373, §64 (AMD).] C. The restriction in this subsection does not apply if a public or private school, school dormitory, church, chapel or parish house: (1) Locates in a commercial zone that includes restaurants or bars as permitted uses and that had been established pursuant to a zoning ordinance as defined in Title 30‑A, section 4301, subsection 15‑A prior to the public or private school, school dormitory, church, chapel or parish house locating in the commercial zone; or (2) Is located in a downtown as defined in Title 30‑A, section 4301, subsection 5‑A . [PL 2005, c. 269, §1 (NEW).] [PL 2005, c. 269, §1 (AMD).]

2. Method of measurement. The distance must be measured from the main entrance of the premises to the main entrance of the school, school dormitory, church, chapel or parish house by the ordinary course of travel. [PL 1987, c. 45, Pt. A, §4 (NEW).]
28-B M.R.S. § 803-A — ME Code / Title 28-B / Chapter 1 / Section 803-A
28-B §803-A. Administrative holds
Status: in_force

In accordance with the provisions of this section, the office may impose an administrative hold on a licensee’s cannabis plants, cannabis or cannabis products if, as a result of an inspection or investigation of the licensee by the office or a criminal justice agency, the office determines there are reasonable grounds to believe the licensee or an agent or employee of the licensee has committed or is committing a violation of the provisions of this chapter, the rules adopted pursuant to this chapter or the terms, conditions or provisions of the licensee's license regarding labeling and packaging, testing results, contamination of cannabis plants and cannabis or cannabis products or cannabis plants or cannabis products tracking that is not in compliance with the tracking system. [PL 2023, c. 679, Pt. B, §136 (AMD).]

1. Notice. The office shall provide to a licensee subject to an administrative hold notice of the imposition of that hold, which must: A. Include a concise statement of the basis for the administrative hold; [PL 2019, c. 491, §6 (NEW).] B. Detail the cannabis, cannabis products or cannabis plants subject to the administrative hold; [PL 2019, c. 491, §6 (NEW); PL 2021, c. 669, §5 (REV).] C. Describe any operational restrictions to be placed on the licensee's license during the duration of the administrative hold; and [PL 2019, c. 491, §6 (NEW).] D. Indicate actions that must be taken by the licensee as a result of the administrative hold. [PL 2019, c. 491, §6 (NEW).] An administrative hold takes effect at the time that the notice under this subsection is provided by the office to the licensee. [PL 2023, c. 679, Pt. B, §136 (AMD).]

2. Licensee actions. [PL 2023, c. 679, Pt. B, §136 (RP).]

3. Operational responsibilities and restrictions. [PL 2023, c. 679, Pt. B, §136 (RP).]

3-A. Required, permitted or prohibited conduct during administrative holds. For the duration of an administrative hold, a licensee: A. Shall physically segregate any cannabis, cannabis products or cannabis plants subject to the hold from any other cannabis, cannabis products or cannabis plants not subject to the hold; [PL 2023, c. 679, Pt. B, §136 (NEW).] B. Shall maintain the licensed premises and otherwise continue to operate the cannabis establishment pursuant to the provisions of this chapter, the rules adopted pursuant to this chapter and the terms, conditions or provisions of the licensee’s license and the provisions of the administrative hold; [PL 2023, c. 679, Pt. B, §136 (NEW).] C. May, as applicable to the license type, cultivate, harvest, manufacture or otherwise maintain the cannabis, cannabis products or cannabis plants subject to the hold, unless specifically restricted by the office pursuant to subsection 1, paragraph C; [PL 2023, c. 679, Pt. B, §136 (NEW).] D. May cultivate, manufacture, test or sell any cannabis, cannabis products or cannabis plants not subject to the administrative hold; and [PL 2023, c. 679, Pt. B, §136 (NEW).] E. May not sell, give away, transfer, transport, dispose of or destroy any cannabis, cannabis products or cannabis plants subject to the hold. [PL 2023, c. 679, Pt. B, §136 (NEW).] [PL 2023, c. 679, Pt. B, §136 (NEW).]

4. Termination; duration. The office may terminate an administrative hold at any time following the imposition of the hold, except that a hold under this section may not be imposed for a period exceeding 30 consecutive days from the date notice is provided to the licensee in accordance with subsection 1. Notice of termination of an administrative hold must be provided by the office to the licensee subject to the hold. [PL 2023, c. 679, Pt. B, §136 (AMD).]

5. Department action; administrative hold not required prior to imposition of penalty. [PL 2023, c. 679, Pt. B, §136 (RP).]

6. Administrative hold not required prior to imposition of penalty. The office is not required to impose an administrative hold on a licensee prior to imposing any penalty for any violation of the provisions of this chapter, the rules adopted pursuant to this chapter or the terms, conditions or provisions of the licensee's license. [PL 2023, c. 679, Pt. B, §136 (NEW).]
28-A M.R.S. § 1502 — ME Code / Title 28-A / Part 3 / Chapter 59 / Section 1502
28-A §1502. License; fee; renewals
Status: in_force

Sales representatives, including those described in section 1401, subsection 7 , shall apply to the bureau for a license disclosing the person, firm or corporation represented. [PL 2015, c. 387, §2 (AMD).]

1. Fee. The annual license fee is $50. [PL 1991, c. 376, §54 (AMD).]

2. Term of license. The license expires on the last day of December of the year in which it is obtained. It may be renewed annually on payment of the fee. [PL 1987, c. 45, Pt. A, §4 (NEW).]
28-A M.R.S. § 706 — ME Code / Title 28-A / Part 3 / Chapter 29 / Section 706
28-A §706. Identification cards
Status: in_force

1. Acceptable identification. A licensee may refuse to serve liquor to any person who fails to display upon request an identification card issued under Title 29‑A, section 1410 , including an official identification card issued by a federally recognized Indian tribe in the State as described in Title 29‑A, section 1410, subsection 7 , or a motor vehicle operator's license bearing the photograph of the operator and issued under Title 29‑A, chapter 11 . [PL 2017, c. 167, §12 (AMD).]

2. Age requirement for identification. A licensee or licensee's employee or agent may not sell, furnish, give or deliver liquor or imitation liquor to a person under 27 years of age unless the licensee or licensee's employee or agent verifies the person is not a minor by means of reliable photographic identification containing that person's date of birth. [PL 2005, c. 38, §1 (NEW).]
28-A M.R.S. § 2211 — ME Code / Title 28-A / Part 7 / Chapter 91 / Section 2211
28-A §2211. Power of law enforcement officers to stop vehicles; restrictions
Status: in_force

If a law enforcement officer has probable cause to believe that a violation of the liquor laws has taken or is taking place, the officer may, at any time, stop any motor vehicle or other conveyance to arrest or question its operator or occupant or to search the motor vehicle or conveyance. [PL 1987, c. 45, Pt. A, §4 (NEW).]
28-A M.R.S. § 2052 — ME Code / Title 28-A / Part 6 / Chapter 81 / Section 2052
28-A §2052. Illegal transportation by minors
Status: in_force

1. Minor may not transport liquor; exception. [PL 2003, c. 452, Pt. P, §5 (RP); PL 2003, c. 452, Pt. X, §2 (AFF).]

1-A. Minor may not transport liquor. Except as provided in subsection 1‑B , a minor may not knowingly transport or knowingly permit to be transported liquor in a motor vehicle under the minor's control. The following penalties apply to violations of this subsection. A. A minor who violates this subsection commits a civil violation for which a fine of not more than $500 may be adjudged. [PL 2003, c. 452, Pt. P, §5 (NEW); PL 2003, c. 452, Pt. X, §2 (AFF).] B. A minor who violates this subsection after having previously violated this section commits a civil violation for which a fine of not less than $200 and not more than $500 must be adjudged, none of which may be suspended. [PL 2003, c. 452, Pt. P, §5 (NEW); PL 2003, c. 452, Pt. X, §2 (AFF).] C. A minor who violates this subsection after having previously violated this section 2 or more times commits a civil violation for which a fine of not less than $400 and not more than $500 must be adjudged, none of which may be suspended. [PL 2003, c. 452, Pt. P, §5 (NEW); PL 2003, c. 452, Pt. X, §2 (AFF).] [PL 2003, c. 452, Pt. P, §5 (NEW); PL 2003, c. 452, Pt. X, §2 (AFF).]

1-B. Permitted transportation. A minor may transport liquor or permit liquor to be transported in a motor vehicle if in the scope of the minor's employment or at the request of the minor's parent, guardian or custodian, as defined in Title 22, section 4002 . [PL 2003, c. 452, Pt. P, §5 (NEW); PL 2003, c. 452, Pt. X, §2 (AFF).]

2. No conviction if liquor not within minor's section. A minor may not be found in violation of any offense under this section if liquor is found outside the passenger's or driver's section of a motor vehicle under the minor's control, unless the minor has actual knowledge of the presence of the liquor. The trunk or locked glove compartment of any vehicle may not be construed under this section to be within the passenger's or driver's section of the motor vehicle. [PL 2003, c. 452, Pt. P, §5 (AMD); PL 2003, c. 452, Pt. X, §2 (AFF).]

3. Violation. [PL 2003, c. 452, Pt. P, §5 (RP); PL 2003, c. 452, Pt. X, §2 (AFF).]

4. Minor may not be charged with both illegal transportation and illegal possession. A minor charged with illegal transportation under this section may not be charged with illegal possession under section 2051 . A minor who possesses or consumes liquor in a motor vehicle under the terms of this section must be charged under this section, rather than under section 2051 . This subsection does not preclude charges, when appropriate, for a juvenile crime under Title 15, section 3103, subsection 1, paragraph A for conduct that, if committed by an adult, would be considered criminal under Title 29‑A . [PL 2025, c. 431, §23 (AMD).]
28-A M.R.S. § 2077-B — ME Code / Title 28-A / Part 6 / Chapter 83 / Section 2077-B
28-A §2077-B. Interstate shipping of liquor prohibited
Status: in_force

1. Prohibition. Except as provided in section 1403‑A , a person may not sell, furnish, deliver or purchase liquor from an out-of-state company by mail order. [PL 2009, c. 373, §4 (AMD).]

2. Penalty. A person that violates this section is subject to penalties listed in section 2073‑A, subsection 3 and section 2073‑C, subsection 3 . [PL 2021, c. 658, §277 (AMD).]
28-A M.R.S. § 356 — ME Code / Title 28-A / Part 2 / Chapter 15 / Section 356
28-A §356. Flexible hours for certain agency liquor stores
Status: in_force

If an agency liquor store is subject to a substantial seasonal variation in business or retail customers based upon tourism or other factors, the agency liquor store may have flexibility in setting seasonal hours. An agency liquor store that establishes seasonal hours under this section shall notify the bureau, in writing, of those seasonal hours. [PL 2019, c. 48, §1 (NEW).]
28-A M.R.S. § 708-C — ME Code / Title 28-A / Part 3 / Chapter 29 / Section 708-C
28-A §708-C. Donations to public broadcasting stations, municipal entities, incorporated civic organizations and national organizations
Status: in_force

1. Donations for an auction or award. A certificate of approval holder, a spirits supplier or a wholesale licensee may donate a certificate to purchase its product or donate its product to a public broadcasting station, a municipal entity, an incorporated civic organization or a similarly purposed national organization designated by the United States Internal Revenue Service under the United States Internal Revenue Code of 1986, Section 501(c)(3) for the purpose of an auction or to offer as a prize, gift or award in conjunction with efforts to support the purposes of the incorporated civic organization, similarly purposed organization, municipal entity or public broadcasting station. Spirits donated in accordance with this subsection must be listed by the commission for sale in this State, clearly labeled as a donation and purchased from the wholesale spirits provider at the wholesale price. A person authorized to make a donation in accordance with this subsection shall maintain a record of each donation, including the value of the donation and the date on which it was made. A recipient of a donation under this subsection must be 21 years of age or older. [PL 2021, c. 658, §102 (AMD).]

2. Donations for consumption at on-premises events. A certificate of approval holder, a spirits supplier or a wholesale licensee may donate its product or provide malt liquor, wine or spirits at a reduced price to a person licensed by the bureau to serve liquor for on-premises consumption at an event designed to benefit a municipal entity, an incorporated civic organization or a similarly purposed national organization designated by the United States Internal Revenue Service under the United States Internal Revenue Code of 1986, Section 501(c)(3). Spirits donated in accordance with this subsection must be listed by the commission for sale in this State, clearly labeled as a donation and purchased from the wholesale spirits provider at the wholesale price. A person authorized to make a donation or offer its product at a reduced price under this subsection shall maintain a record of the products donated or offered, including the value of each, the reduced price when applicable and the date on which the product was provided. All applicable excise taxes on donated malt liquor, wine or spirits must be remitted as required by this Title. A licensee that receives product in accordance with this subsection: A. Shall maintain a record of each product received and the date on which it was received; [PL 2015, c. 214, §3 (NEW).] B. Shall maintain a record of the name of the municipal entity, incorporated civic organization or similarly purposed national organization the event was designed to benefit and for which the product is provided; [PL 2019, c. 404, §13 (AMD).] C. Shall ensure that the product provided is served only at the event designed to benefit the municipal entity, incorporated civic organization or similarly purposed national organization; [PL 2019, c. 404, §13 (AMD).] D. Shall ensure that excess product that was donated for the event is returned to the donor within a reasonable period after the event; and [PL 2015, c. 214, §3 (NEW).] E. Shall ensure that containers holding donated product are returned to the donor for recycling as appropriate and not presented for redemption under Title 38, chapter 33 . [PL 2021, c. 658, §102 (AMD).] [PL 2021, c. 658, §102 (AMD).]

For purposes of this section, "municipal entity" means a county, city, town or municipal agency or department. [PL 2019, c. 404, §13 (NEW).]
28-A M.R.S. § 1057 — ME Code / Title 28-A / Part 3 / Chapter 43 / Section 1057
28-A §1057. Liquor judging competition event permit
Status: in_force

1. Definitions. As used in this section, unless the context otherwise indicates, the following terms have the following meanings. A. "Homemade liquor" means malt liquor, wine or hard cider made by a person's own efforts in the person's home for personal use that is not offered for sale and that does not contain added spirits. [PL 2025, c. 315, §1 (NEW).] B. "Liquor judging competition event" means an event where judges evaluate entries of malt liquor, wine, hard cider or spirits, except for homemade spirits, based on a set of criteria to determine a winner of the competition. [PL 2025, c. 315, §1 (NEW).] [PL 2025, c. 315, §1 (NEW).]

2. Liquor judging competition event permit; eligibility. One or more certificate of approval holders that are manufacturers may apply for a permit to host a liquor judging competition event subject to the conditions prescribed by this section. [PL 2025, c. 315, §1 (NEW).]

3. Liquor judging competition event participants. A certificate of approval holder or a person who produces homemade liquor that does not contain spirits may participate in the liquor judging competition event in the same manner and subject to the same conditions as a person permitted under this section. [PL 2025, c. 315, §1 (NEW).]

4. Application. An applicant for a liquor judging competition event permit described in subsection 2 shall submit a written application to the bureau no later than 15 calendar days prior to the date of the liquor judging competition event. The application must include the following: A. The name and address of each liquor judging competition event participant; [PL 2025, c. 315, §1 (NEW).] B. The title and purpose of the liquor judging competition event; [PL 2025, c. 315, §1 (NEW).] C. The date, time and duration of the liquor judging competition event; [PL 2025, c. 315, §1 (NEW).] D. The address and location of the liquor judging competition event, including a description of the liquor judging competition event; and [PL 2025, c. 315, §1 (NEW).] E. The address and the location of areas where liquor for the liquor judging competition event may be stored by the applicant for the liquor judging competition event permit. [PL 2025, c. 315, §1 (NEW).] [PL 2025, c. 315, §1 (NEW).]

5. Fee. The permit fee for a liquor judging competition event permit under subsection 2 is $20. [RR 2025, c. 1, Pt. A, §37 (COR).]

6. Ruling on application. Upon receipt of an application under subsection 4 , the bureau shall immediately approve or deny the application. The bureau shall advise applicants that the permit for a liquor judging competition event under subsection 2 may be suspended or revoked pursuant to chapter 33 . [PL 2025, c. 315, §1 (NEW).]

7. Up to 10 permitted liquor judging competition events per year; one liquor judging competition event per permit. A person eligible for a permit under subsection 2 may obtain up to 10 permits under this section per calendar year. [PL 2025, c. 315, §1 (NEW).]

8. Location and participation fee. A certificate of approval holder issued a permit under this section may charge a fee for participation in a liquor judging competition event. The liquor judging competition event is not required to occur on premises licensed by the bureau. [PL 2025, c. 315, §1 (NEW).]

9. Conditions. The following conditions apply to a liquor judging competition event permitted under this section. A. If the venue for the liquor judging competition event is currently licensed for on-premises consumption of liquor, the bureau shall temporarily suspend the authority of the on-premises retail licensee to sell liquor for on-premises consumption in an area designated for the liquor judging competition event. The on-premises retail licensee may sell liquor for on-premises consumption outside the area designated for the liquor judging competition event. [PL 2025, c. 315, §1 (NEW).] B. The liquor judging competition event may not be open to the general public. [PL 2025, c. 315, §1 (NEW).] C. Only judges and stewards may taste liquor entered in a liquor judging competition event. For purposes of this paragraph, "steward" means liquor judging competition event staff that work with judges in conducting the liquor judging competition event. [PL 2025, c. 315, §1 (NEW).] D. Points of entry to the liquor judging competition event must be clearly marked and monitored to ensure consumption of liquor entered in the liquor judging competition event takes place only within the designated area of the liquor judging competition event. [PL 2025, c. 315, §1 (NEW).] E. A minor may not attend the liquor judging competition event. [PL 2025, c. 315, §1 (NEW).] F. A person who is visibly intoxicated may not be served. [PL 2025, c. 315, §1 (NEW).] G. Homemade spirits may not be entered into a liquor judging competition event. [PL 2025, c. 315, §1 (NEW).] H. Liquor may not be sold or offered for sale at a liquor judging competition event except as provided in paragraph A . [PL 2025, c. 315, §1 (NEW).] [PL 2025, c. 315, §1 (NEW).]

10. Rulemaking. The bureau may adopt routine technical rules as defined in Title 5, chapter 375, subchapter 2‑A to administer this section. [PL 2025, c. 315, §1 (NEW).]
28-B M.R.S. § 106 — ME Code / Title 28-B / Chapter 1 / Section 106
28-B §106. Individual identification cards
Status: in_force

The office shall issue individual identification cards to natural persons licensed under this chapter and, upon the request of a licensee, shall issue individual identification cards to principals, contractors, employees or other support staff of the licensee who meet the requirements of this section for the issuance of an individual identification card. [PL 2023, c. 679, Pt. B, §14 (AMD).]

1. Rules. The office may adopt rules regarding individual identification cards issued pursuant to this section. [PL 2023, c. 679, Pt. B, §14 (AMD).]

1-A. Information and format; validity. An individual identification card issued pursuant to this section must include: A. The full name and date of birth of the licensee; [PL 2023, c. 679, Pt. B, §14 (NEW).] B. A photograph of the licensee; [PL 2023, c. 679, Pt. B, §14 (NEW).] C. The date of issuance and expiration date of the identification card; and [PL 2023, c. 679, Pt. B, §14 (NEW).] D. A randomly generated unique identification number. [PL 2023, c. 679, Pt. B, §14 (NEW).] An individual identification card is valid for 2 years from the issue date, remains the property of the office and must be returned to the office upon demand. A person may not alter, obscure, damage or deface an individual identification card. To be valid, an individual identification card must be in good condition with all original markings and information clearly legible. [PL 2023, c. 679, Pt. B, §14 (NEW).]

2. Criminal history record check for principals. Prior to issuing or renewing an individual identification card to a natural person who is a principal, the office shall require the person to submit to a criminal history record check in accordance with section 204 every 2 years. A principal who has been convicted of a disqualifying drug offense at any time within the 2‑year period must report the conviction to the office within 2 business days of the conviction. The licensee must be provided an opportunity to remove the principal or transfer the principal's ownership interests pursuant to section 210 . [PL 2023, c. 679, Pt. B, §14 (AMD).]

3. Criminal history record check for employees not required. A contractor, employee or other support staff of the licensee is not required to submit to a criminal history record check pursuant to section 204 prior to the issuance of an individual identification card by the office. [PL 2023, c. 679, Pt. B, §14 (NEW).]
28-A M.R.S. § 2515 — ME Code / Title 28-A / Part 8 / Chapter 100 / Section 2515
28-A §2515. Evidence of responsible serving practices
Status: in_force

1. Responsible practices. Proof of the server's responsible serving practices is admissible as evidence that the server was not negligent or reckless. Responsible serving practices include, but are not limited to: A. The server's and server's employees attendance at an approved server education training course; and [PL 1999, c. 519, §1 (AMD).] B. The server's implementation, at the time of service, of responsible management policies, procedures and actions. [PL 1987, c. 45, Pt. A, §4 (NEW).] [PL 1999, c. 519, §1 (AMD).]

2. Neither proof nor disproof of negligence or recklessness. Proof or disproof that the server was adhering to responsible serving practices is not by itself proof or disproof of negligence or recklessness. [PL 1987, c. 45, Pt. A, §4 (NEW).]
28-A M.R.S. § 1406 — ME Code / Title 28-A / Part 3 / Chapter 55 / Section 1406
28-A §1406. Report of changes in wholesale licensees and certificate of approval holders to bureau
Status: in_force

1. Certificate of approval holders must list wholesale licensees with bureau; changes. Each certificate of approval holder shall: A. File with the bureau a list of the wholesale licensees who distribute their products in the State; and [PL 1997, c. 373, §132 (AMD).] B. Give written notice to the bureau and the wholesale licensee affected at least 90 days before any change in: (1) Its wholesale licensees; or (2) The territory of its wholesale licensees. [PL 2021, c. 658, §250 (AMD).] [PL 2021, c. 658, §250 (AMD).]

2. Wholesale licensees must list certificate of approval holders with bureau; changes. Each wholesale licensee shall: A. File with the bureau: (1) A list of the certificate of approval holders for whom it distributes malt liquor or wine in the State; and (2) A statement of the boundaries of its territories; and [PL 1997, c. 373, §132 (AMD).] B. Give written notice to the bureau and the certificate of approval holder affected at least 90 days before any change in: (1) Its territory; or (2) The distribution of its products. [PL 1997, c. 373, §132 (AMD).] [PL 1997, c. 373, §132 (AMD).]

3. Shortened waiting period before change. The bureau may shorten the waiting period before a change is made in the following situations. A. A certificate of approval holder or a wholesale licensee may request a hearing before the bureau to shorten the waiting period before a change is made. The bureau may, for cause, shorten the waiting period before approving a change in either the wholesale licensee or the wholesale licensee's territory. [PL 1997, c. 373, §132 (AMD).] B. If both the certificate of approval holder and the wholesale licensee affected waive the 90-day waiting period by giving the bureau written notice, then the bureau may immediately approve a change in either the wholesale licensee or the wholesale licensee's territory. [PL 1997, c. 373, §132 (AMD).] [PL 1997, c. 373, §132 (AMD).]
28-A M.R.S. § 606 — ME Code / Title 28-A / Part 3 / Chapter 25 / Section 606
28-A §606.  Purchase of spirits by licensees, government instrumentalities, airlines, ferry services, hospitals and state institutions
Status: in_force

1. Purchase of spirits. Subject to the restrictions provided in subsection 1‑A , a person licensed to sell spirits for on‑premises consumption shall purchase spirits from an agency liquor store licensed as a reselling agent. This subsection does not apply to public service corporations operating interstate. A. [PL 1993, c. 276, §2 (RP).] [PL 2021, c. 658, §91 (AMD).]

1-A. On-premises licensees; purchase from reselling agent. Except for a public service corporation that operates interstate, a person licensed to sell spirits for on-premises consumption shall purchase spirits from a reselling agent only, in accordance with this subsection. A licensee that violates this subsection is subject to the administrative penalties provided in section 2074‑A . A. The sale price of spirits sold by a reselling agent to an establishment licensed for on-premises consumption must be the retail price established by the commission or the discounted retail price established by the bureau in accordance with subsection 1‑C . [PL 2019, c. 404, §8 (AMD).] B. Upon completion of a transaction, the reselling agent and the on-premises licensee shall each retain a copy of the licensee order form. [PL 2021, c. 658, §91 (AMD).] C. [PL 1993, c. 276, §3 (RP).] D. [PL 1993, c. 276, §3 (RP).] [PL 2021, c. 658, §91 (AMD).]

1-B. Price of sales to agency liquor stores. [PL 1997, c. 24, Pt. L, §1 (RP).]

1-C. Price of state spirits sales to agency liquor stores. The bureau may offer discounts below the retail price set by the commission on spirits sold to agency liquor stores. [PL 2019, c. 404, §9 (AMD).]

1-D. Purchase of spirits. [PL 2021, c. 658, §91 (RP).]

2. On-premises retailers must report purchases. [PL 2015, c. 430, §5 (RP).]

3. Prospective licensees may order spirits in advance. Upon approval of the bureau, a person that has been issued an agency liquor store license effective at a future date or a license to sell spirits for on-premises consumption effective at a future date may order spirits in advance of the effective date of the license and may advertise the effective date. [PL 2021, c. 658, §91 (AMD).]

4. Discount for agency liquor stores. [PL 2013, c. 476, Pt. A, §21 (RP).]

4-A. Discount rates for agency liquor stores; rulemaking. Beginning July 1, 2014, the bureau shall set the wholesale price of spirits, which is the price an agency liquor store pays to purchase spirits from the State, at a minimum discount of 12% off the retail price. Upon the expiration or termination of all contracts for the operation of the State's wholesale spirits business in effect on January 1, 2022, the bureau shall set the wholesale price of spirits, which is the price an agency liquor store pays to purchase spirits from the State, at a minimum discount of 18% off of the retail price. The bureau by rule may establish discount rates greater than the minimum discount rates established in this subsection, including: A. Graduated discount rates, which must be structured in a way that does not adversely affect agency liquor stores that stock a low level of inventory; and [PL 2021, c. 592, Pt. B, §2 (NEW).] B. Increased discount rates to be awarded as part of a sales incentive program for agency liquor stores. In adopting a sales incentive program under this paragraph, the bureau shall consider the effect of the sales incentive program on state revenue and on any pending or existing contracts awarded under section 90 . [PL 2021, c. 592, Pt. B, §2 (NEW).] Rules adopted pursuant to this subsection are routine technical rules as defined in Title 5, chapter 375, subchapter 2‑A . [PL 2021, c. 658, §91 (AMD).]

4-B. Discount rate for small distilleries. Beginning July 1, 2019, the bureau shall set the wholesale price of spirits produced by a small distillery licensed under section 1355‑A, subsection 5, paragraph B and retained by that small distillery for sale under section 1355‑A, subsection 5, paragraph G or H , which is the price the small distillery pays to purchase those spirits from the State, at a discount of 22.75% off the retail price. [PL 2021, c. 658, §91 (AMD).]

5. Sale to government instrumentalities. The bureau may authorize the sale of spirits to government instrumentalities within the State. The bureau shall set the price. [PL 2021, c. 658, §91 (AMD).]

6. Sale to airlines and ferry services for consumption outside the State. The bureau may authorize the sale of spirits for consumption outside of the State to airlines and ferry services or their agents. The bureau shall set the price. [PL 2021, c. 658, §91 (AMD).]

6-A. Sale to hospitals and state institutions. The bureau may authorize the sale of spirits to hospitals and state institutions within the State for medicinal purposes only. The bureau shall set the price. [PL 2021, c. 658, §91 (NEW).]

7. Premium must be collected. Nothing in this section permits the sale of spirits without collecting the entire premium assessed under chapter 65 . [PL 1997, c. 373, §58 (AMD).]

8. Limits on price. An agency liquor store shall sell all spirits purchased from the bureau at the retail price established by the commission. [PL 2021, c. 658, §91 (AMD).]
28-A M.R.S. § 10 — ME Code / Title 28-A / Part 1 / Chapter 1 / Section 10
28-A §10. Class A restaurant and off-premises retail licensee on same premises
Status: repealed

1. Class A restaurant or restaurant and off-premises retail licensee on same premises not prohibited. If a portion of the premises is licensed as an off-premises retail licensee, this Title may not be construed to prohibit issuance of a Class III or Class IV license to the same licensee for a restaurant or Class A restaurant for the remaining portion of the premises, as long as necessary qualifications are maintained for each separately licensed area and food is available for free or purchase at all times that liquor is sold for on-premises consumption. [PL 2025, c. 230, Pt. A, §3 (AMD).]

2. Access between the 2 licensed areas. There may be access between the 2 licensed areas for the licensee or the licensee's employees if it is through areas open only to the licensee or the employees. There must be complete nonaccess between the 2 licensed areas by the public. [PL 2013, c. 344, §1 (AMD).]

2-A. Access exception. [PL 2013, c. 344, §1 (NEW); MRSA T. 28-A §10, sub-§2-A (RP).] Revisor's Note: Subsection 2-A was repealed 9/30/15. PL 2015, c. 162, §1 attempted to strike the language that repealed the subsection, but did not take effect in time.

2-B. Access exception. Notwithstanding subsection 2 , there may be access between the 2 licensed areas by the public as provided by this subsection. A. There may be access between the 2 licensed areas when there is a clear delineation of space, by a wall or permanent barrier that separates the 2 licensed areas and allows only one clearly defined and controlled point of access for patrons between the licensed establishments. The controlled point of access is not required to include a door that must be physically opened and closed. [PL 2015, c. 494, Pt. D, §9 (NEW).] B. When access between the 2 licensed areas exists for patrons of either establishment, food must be available for free or purchase at all times that malt liquor and wine is sold for on-premises consumption. [PL 2025, c. 230, Pt. A, §4 (AMD).] C. Malt liquor or wine sold or served on the premises may not be transported by a patron from one licensed area to another. The licensee shall ensure that easily readable signs are conspicuously posted to inform the public that transfer of malt liquor or wine from one licensed area to another is strictly prohibited. [PL 2025, c. 230, Pt. A, §4 (AMD).] [PL 2025, c. 230, Pt. A, §4 (AMD).]

3. Licensee to maintain separate records, supplies and inventory. The licensee shall maintain records within each separate licensed establishment in accordance with the appropriate license privilege authorized for each separate area. The licensee shall maintain supplies and inventory separately in accordance with the appropriate license privilege either in each separate licensed establishment or, with prior approval of the bureau, in one storage area on the premises with appropriate separation of the supplies and inventory. [PL 2013, c. 344, §1 (AMD).]

4. Application. This section does not apply to: A. A dual license holder under section 1208 ; or [PL 2017, c. 324, §1 (NEW).] B. A manufacturing facility licensed under section 1355‑A at the same location as a retail establishment authorized by section 1355‑A, subsection 2, paragraph I . [PL 2017, c. 324, §1 (NEW).] [PL 2017, c. 324, §1 (AMD).]
28-A M.R.S. § 1453 — ME Code / Title 28-A / Part 3 / Chapter 57 / Section 1453
28-A §1453. Dual distributorship prohibited
Status: in_force

1. Dual distributorship prohibited. A certificate of approval holder that designates a sales territory for which a wholesale licensee is primarily responsible may not enter into any agreement with any other wholesale licensee for the purpose of establishing an additional agreement for its brand or label in the same territory. [PL 2021, c. 658, §256 (AMD).]

2. Certificate of approval holder to file list. Each certificate of approval holder shall file with its application for a certificate of approval or in-state manufacturer license a list giving the name and address of each bottler and wholesale licensee authorized to distribute products of that certificate of approval holder and designating the exclusive territory assigned to each wholesale licensee within the State. Unless authorized by the bureau, wholesale licensees may not sell those products to licensees outside of the exclusive territory allocated and designated. A. Sales of wine to retail licensees at the wholesale licensee's warehouse must be considered a sale within the wholesale licensee's exclusive territory. [PL 2021, c. 658, §256 (AMD).] [PL 2021, c. 658, §256 (AMD).]

3. Primary source of supply. A wholesale licensee may not purchase liquor from anyone other than the primary source of supply within the United States. [PL 2021, c. 658, §256 (AMD).]
28-A M.R.S. § 2513 — ME Code / Title 28-A / Part 8 / Chapter 100 / Section 2513
28-A §2513. Notice required
Status: in_force

Every plaintiff seeking damages under this Act must give written notice to all defendants within 180 days of the date of the server's conduct creating liability under this Act. The notice must specify the time, place and circumstances of the server's conduct creating liability under this Act and the time, place and circumstances of any resulting damages. No error or omission in the notice voids the effect of the notice, if otherwise valid, unless the error or omission is substantially material. Failure to give written notice within the time specified is grounds for dismissal of a claim, unless the plaintiff provides written notice within the limits of section 2514 and shows good cause why notice could not have reasonably been filed within the 180-day limit. For purposes of this section, "good cause" includes but is not limited to the inability of the plaintiff to obtain investigative records from a law enforcement officer or law enforcement agency. [PL 2017, c. 77, §1 (AMD).]
28-A M.R.S. § 1052 — ME Code / Title 28-A / Part 3 / Chapter 43 / Section 1052
28-A §1052. Off-premises catering at planned events or gatherings
Status: in_force

1. Off-premises catering license for sale of liquor. A club licensed to sell spirits, wine and malt liquor or a licensed Class A restaurant, licensed Class A restaurant/lounge, licensed restaurant, licensed Class A lounge, licensed hotel, licensed bed and breakfast, licensed golf course, licensed auditorium, licensed civic auditorium or licensed performing arts center may apply for an additional license to conduct off-premises catering at planned events or gatherings to be held at locations other than the licensee's premises under this section. [PL 2025, c. 230, Pt. A, §11 (AMD).]

2. Fee. [PL 2021, c. 658, §167 (RP).]

3. Type of event. An off-premises catering license authorizes the licensee to sell the type or types of liquor specified in subsection 3‑A only at: A. Public events or public gatherings sponsored by a charitable, nonprofit organization or civic group; and [PL 1987, c. 45, Pt. A, §4 (NEW).] B. Private events or private gatherings sponsored by an individual person, organization or association of persons. [PL 1987, c. 45, Pt. A, §4 (NEW).] [PL 2021, c. 658, §167 (AMD).]

3-A. Type of liquor. An off-premises catering licensee may sell at an event described in subsection 3 only the type or types of liquor that the licensee is authorized to sell pursuant to the licensee's underlying club, Class A restaurant, Class A restaurant/lounge, restaurant, Class A lounge, hotel, bed and breakfast, golf course, auditorium, civic auditorium or performing arts center license. [PL 2025, c. 230, Pt. A, §12 (AMD).]

4. Application. The licensee must apply for an off-premises catering license by filing a written application with the bureau at least 24 hours before the event or gathering. The application must include the following: A. Title and purpose of the event; [PL 1987, c. 45, Pt. A, §4 (NEW).] B. Date, time and duration; [PL 1987, c. 45, Pt. A, §4 (NEW).] C. Location; [PL 1987, c. 45, Pt. A, §4 (NEW).] D. Approximate number of persons to be accommodated; [PL 1987, c. 45, Pt. A, §4 (NEW).] E. Name and address of the sponsoring person, organization or association; [PL 2021, c. 658, §167 (AMD).] F. If food is to be served, the name and address of the food caterer, if other than the licensee; and [PL 2021, c. 658, §167 (AMD).] G. Approval by the municipal officers, or a municipal official designated by the municipal officers, of the municipality in which the proposed additional licensed premises are located, which, notwithstanding section 653 , may be granted without public notice. The bureau shall accept approval required under this paragraph in electronic form submitted by the applicant or directly by the municipality to the bureau. [PL 2017, c. 260, §1 (AMD).] [PL 2021, c. 658, §167 (AMD).]

5. Ruling on application. Upon receipt of the application, the bureau may immediately approve or deny the application. The bureau shall advise the applicant that the license and the off-premises sales license may be revoked and suspended under chapter 33 . [PL 2021, c. 658, §167 (AMD).]

6. Local option questions. The bureau may not grant approval for the sale of liquor at events to be held in areas where the voters have voted in the negative concerning the pertinent local option questions. [PL 1997, c. 373, §85 (AMD).]
28-B M.R.S. § 1505 — ME Code / Title 28-B / Chapter 3 / Section 1505
28-B §1505. Limitation
Status: in_force

Notwithstanding any provision of law to the contrary, the Office of Cannabis Policy, established in section 104‑A , may not enforce any provision of this chapter. [PL 2023, c. 679, Pt. B, §142 (NEW).]
28-A M.R.S. § 714 — ME Code / Title 28-A / Part 3 / Chapter 29 / Section 714
28-A §714. Malt liquor sales in kegs
Status: in_force

1. Definitions. As used in this section, unless the context otherwise indicates, the following terms have the following meanings. A. [PL 2019, c. 46, §3 (RP).] B. "Off-premises licensee" means a licensee licensed to sell liquor for consumption off the premises. [PL 1991, c. 543 (NEW).] [PL 2019, c. 46, §3 (AMD).]

2. Right of sale and purchase. The bureau may not deny the wholesale and retail sale of malt liquor in a keg or any fraction of a keg to a purchaser entitled to purchase malt liquor. [PL 1993, c. 730, §34 (AMD).]

3. Tagging requirement. The sale of malt liquor in kegs is subject to the following. A. Every keg of malt liquor offered for sale by an off-premises retail licensee, referred to in this subsection as "the seller," must be tagged in a manner approved by the commissioner identifying the keg and be labeled in accordance with the requirements of section 6‑A . The tag must be supplied for each keg, without fee, by the wholesaler of the keg or the small brewery that produced the keg. [PL 2021, c. 658, §110 (AMD).] B. The seller of the keg shall complete a form designed and approved by the commissioner and affix the tag to each keg supplied to the retail seller by the distributor of the keg. The form must be printed and distributed, without fee, by the wholesaler of the keg or the small brewery that produced the keg. The form must include the name, address and date of birth of the purchaser and the identification number of the keg. The form must summarize the requirements of this section, the penalties for violating any provision of this section and the penalties for providing alcohol to a minor. The seller shall retain the form as a record subject to chapter 31 . [PL 2021, c. 658, §110 (AMD).] C. The seller of the keg shall require positive identification of the purchaser. [PL 1991, c. 543 (NEW).] D. The seller of the keg may require a deposit of up to $50 from the purchaser of the keg, regardless of the size of the keg. The seller shall refund the deposit to a person who returns a properly tagged keg purchased from that seller. [PL 1991, c. 543 (NEW).] E. The seller shall inform the purchaser that if the tag is defaced or missing when the keg is returned the deposit is forfeited. [PL 2021, c. 658, §110 (AMD).] F. The seller may retain a deposit forfeited and use the funds forfeited for local school-based alcohol education programs or for any other purpose. [PL 2021, c. 658, §110 (AMD).] [PL 2021, c. 658, §110 (AMD).]

4. Civil violation; possession of unlabeled keg. In addition to any other penalties imposed by law, a person possessing an unlabeled keg purchased in this State after the effective date of this section commits a civil violation for which a forfeiture of $500 must be adjudged. [PL 1991, c. 543 (NEW).]

5. Criminal penalty; removal or defacing of tag. A person commits defacing or removal of a malt liquor keg tag if that person defaces or removes from a keg a tag required by this section. Defacing or removal of a malt liquor keg tag is a Class E crime. If a person who purchased a properly tagged keg returns the keg without a tag or with a defaced tag, that person is presumed to have removed or defaced the tag. [PL 1991, c. 543 (NEW).]
28-A M.R.S. § 1063 — ME Code / Title 28-A / Part 3 / Chapter 43 / Section 1063
28-A §1063. Class A restaurants and Class A restaurant/lounges
Status: in_force

1. Issuance of license. The bureau may issue licenses under this section for the sale of spirits, wine and malt liquor for on-premises consumption to Class A restaurants, as defined in section 2, subsection 15, paragraph R , and to Class A restaurant/lounges, as defined in section 2, subsection 15, paragraph R-1. [PL 2021, c. 658, §180 (AMD).]

2. Income from sale of food requirement. [PL 2023, c. 44, §18 (RP).]

2-A. Income from sale of food requirement. At least 10% of the gross annual income must be from the sale of food for each Class A restaurant or Class A restaurant/lounge. [PL 2023, c. 44, §19 (NEW).]

3. Bureau to determine whether new applicant would probably meet sale of food requirement. The bureau may not issue an initial license to a Class A restaurant or a Class A restaurant/lounge unless it determines that the applicant would probably meet the requirement of subsection 2‑A . [PL 2023, c. 44, §20 (AMD).]

4. Proof of compliance with sale of food requirement for license renewal. The bureau may not renew a Class A restaurant's or a Class A restaurant/lounge's license unless the licensee furnishes the bureau with proof that the previous year's business met the requirement of subsection 2‑A . If the bureau determines that the licensee has not satisfied the requirement of subsection 2‑A , the bureau may renew the license for only one year, during which the licensee must meet the requirement of subsection 2‑A to be eligible for further license renewal. [PL 2023, c. 44, §21 (AMD).]

5. Class A restaurant/lounges; minors. [PL 1995, c. 25, §1 (RP).]
28-A M.R.S. § 2089 — ME Code / Title 28-A / Part 6 / Chapter 83 / Section 2089
28-A §2089. Powdered alcohol
Status: in_force

1. Possession and use prohibited. A person may not possess or use alcohol in a powdered or crystalline form. A. A person who violates this subsection commits a civil violation for which a fine of not less than $250 and not more than $500 must be adjudged. [PL 2015, c. 205, §1 (NEW).] B. A person who violates this subsection after having been previously adjudicated as violating this subsection commits a civil violation for which a fine of not less than $500 and not more than $3,000 must be adjudged. [PL 2015, c. 205, §1 (NEW).] [PL 2015, c. 205, §1 (NEW).]

2. Selling or furnishing prohibited. A person may not sell, furnish or give away or offer for sale or offer to furnish or give away alcohol in a powdered or crystalline form. A. A person who violates this subsection commits a civil violation for which a fine of not less than $500 and not more than $1,000 must be adjudged. [PL 2015, c. 205, §1 (NEW).] B. A person who violates this subsection after having been previously adjudicated as violating this subsection commits a Class E crime for which a fine of not less than $1,000 and, notwithstanding Title 17‑A, section 1704, subsection 5 and section 1705, subsection 5 , not more than $5,000 must be imposed. In addition to a fine imposed under this subsection, if the person is a licensee under chapter 19 , 43 , 45 , 51 or 55 , the court may suspend that person's license for up to one year in accordance with chapter 33 . A violation under this paragraph is a strict liability crime as defined in Title 17‑A, section 34, subsection 4‑A . [PL 2019, c. 113, Pt. C, §72 (AMD).] [PL 2019, c. 113, Pt. C, §72 (AMD).]
28-B M.R.S. § 703 — ME Code / Title 28-B / Chapter 1 / Section 703
28-B §703. Other health and safety requirements and restrictions; rules
Status: in_force

1. Requirements and restrictions for edible cannabis products. In addition to all other applicable provisions of this subchapter, edible cannabis products to be sold or offered for sale by a licensee to a consumer in accordance with this chapter: A. [PL 2023, c. 679, Pt. B, §126 (RP).] B. Must be manufactured in a manner that results in the cannabinoid content within the product being homogeneous throughout the product or throughout each element of the product that has a cannabinoid content; [PL 2017, c. 409, Pt. A, §6 (NEW).] C. Must be manufactured in a manner that results in the amount of cannabis concentrate within the product being homogeneous throughout the product or throughout each element of the product that contains cannabis concentrate; [PL 2017, c. 409, Pt. A, §6 (NEW); PL 2021, c. 669, §5 (REV).] D. Unless determined impracticable by the office by rule, must be stamped or embossed with a universal symbol on each serving of the edible cannabis product or each serving must be individually wrapped or blister packaged with a universal symbol clearly included on the wrapping or packaging. In the event the office determines by rule that stamping, embossing, individual wrapping or blister packaging for a particular type of edible cannabis product is impracticable, each serving of the product must be packaged together with the universal symbol affixed to the packaging. For purposes of this chapter, edible cannabis products that are determined to be impracticable to stamp, emboss, individually wrap or blister package include but are not limited to: (1) Potato or corn chips; (2) Popcorn; (3) Pretzels; (4) Loose granola; and (5) Gummies; [PL 2025, c. 390, Pt. A, §51 (RPR).] E. May not be manufactured in the distinct shape of a human, animal or fruit; [PL 2017, c. 409, Pt. A, §6 (NEW).] F. May not contain more than 10 milligrams of THC per serving of the product and may not contain more than 200 milligrams of THC per package of the product, with an allowable variance rate of 10%, except that the allowable variance may not be less than 0.6 milligrams or greater than 5 milligrams. In the calculation of the amount of THC allowed under this paragraph, the allowable variance rate must be in addition to the allowable variance rate applicable to a testing facility pursuant to section 602, subsection 3 ; [PL 2023, c. 396, §19 (AMD).] F-1. May, except as provided in paragraph F , have the amount or potency of cannabinoids calculated using an allowable variance rate of 10%, except that the allowable variance may not be less than 0.6 milligrams or greater than 5 milligrams. In the calculation of the amount or potency of cannabinoids allowed under this paragraph, the allowable variance rate may be in addition to the allowable variance rate applicable to a testing facility pursuant to section 602, subsection 3 ; [PL 2021, c. 558, §5 (NEW).] G. [PL 2023, c. 679, Pt. B, §128 (RP).] G-1. May not be adulterated or misbranded as described in Title 22, sections 2156 and 2157 , respectively, or contain additives specifically formulated to increase the addictiveness of the edible cannabis product; and [PL 2023, c. 679, Pt. B, §129 (NEW).] H. May not involve the addition of cannabis to a trademarked food or drink product, except when the trademarked product is used as a component of or ingredient in the edible cannabis product and the edible cannabis product is not advertised or described for sale as containing the trademarked product. [PL 2017, c. 409, Pt. A, §6 (NEW); PL 2021, c. 669, §5 (REV).] [PL 2025, c. 390, Pt. A, §51 (AMD).]

2. Health and safety rules. The office shall adopt labeling, packaging and other necessary health and safety rules for adult use cannabis and adult use cannabis products to be sold or offered for sale by a licensee to a consumer in accordance with this chapter. Rules adopted pursuant to this subsection must establish mandatory health and safety standards applicable to the cultivation of adult use cannabis, the manufacture of adult use cannabis products and the labeling and packaging of adult use cannabis and adult use cannabis products sold by a licensee to a consumer. Such rules must address, but are not limited to: A. Requirements for the storage, warehousing and transportation of adult use cannabis and adult use cannabis products by licensees; [PL 2017, c. 409, Pt. A, §6 (NEW); PL 2021, c. 669, §5 (REV).] B. Sanitary standards for cannabis establishments, including, but not limited to, sanitary standards for the manufacture of adult use cannabis and adult use cannabis products; and [PL 2017, c. 409, Pt. A, §6 (NEW); PL 2021, c. 669, §5 (REV).] C. Limitations on the display of adult use cannabis and adult use cannabis products at cannabis stores. [PL 2017, c. 409, Pt. A, §6 (NEW); PL 2021, c. 669, §5 (REV).] [PL 2023, c. 679, Pt. B, §130 (AMD).]
28-A M.R.S. § 1010 — ME Code / Title 28-A / Part 3 / Chapter 41 / Section 1010
28-A §1010. Class VII-A licenses
Status: in_force

1. Types of liquor which may be sold. A Class VII-A licensee may sell wine to be consumed off the premises where sold. [PL 1987, c. 45, Pt. A, §4 (NEW).]

2. Fees. The fees for a Class VII-A license are as follows: A. Full-time (one year).................$200. [PL 1993, c. 410, Pt. ZZ, §15 (AMD).] B. [PL 1993, c. 410, Pt. ZZ, §15 (RP).] C. [PL 1987, c. 342, §73 (RP).] D. [PL 1993, c. 410, Pt. ZZ, §15 (RP).] [PL 1993, c. 410, Pt. ZZ, §15 (AMD).]

3. Eligible premises. The following premises are eligible to obtain a Class VII-A license: A. Ship chandlers without a qualifying stock of groceries, compatible merchandise or combination of both. [PL 1987, c. 342, §74 (RPR).] [PL 1987, c. 342, §74 (AMD).]
28-A M.R.S. § 121 — ME Code / Title 28-A / Part 1 / Chapter 5 / Section 121
28-A §121. Local option election in a municipality
Status: in_force

A local option election in a municipality shall be held in the following manner. [PL 1987, c. 45, Pt. A, §4 (NEW).]

1. Petition. A petition for a local option election must be signed by 30 voters in that municipality or by a number of voters equal to at least 5% of the number of votes cast in that municipality in the last gubernatorial election, whichever is fewer. All petition signatures must have been signed since the last general election. The petition must be addressed to and received by the municipal officers at least 60 days before holding any primary, special statewide, general or municipal election or town meeting. [PL 2019, c. 672, §1 (RPR).]

1-A. Vote of municipal officers. As an alternative to the petition process in subsection 1 , the municipal officers may vote to hold a local option election, which must be conducted pursuant to subsection 3 , including one or more of the questions specified in section 123 . [PL 2019, c. 672, §2 (NEW).]

2. Meeting. Upon receipt of a petition, or in accordance with a vote of the municipal officers pursuant to subsection 1‑A , the municipal officers shall notify the inhabitants of their respective municipalities to meet in the manner prescribed by law. The meeting must be held to vote upon any or all of the questions contained in section 123 . [PL 2019, c. 672, §3 (AMD).]

3. Conduct of election. Except as provided in this section, the petition process and the voting at elections held in towns and plantations must be held and conducted in accordance with Title 30‑A, sections 2528 , 2529 and 2532 , even if the town or plantation has not accepted the provisions of section 2528 . The voting at elections held in cities must be held and conducted in accordance with Title 21‑A . No referendum questions except those set out in section 123 may be printed on the ballot. The municipal clerk shall make a return of the results, certify the results and send it to the office of the Secretary of State. The Secretary of State shall forward the results to the bureau. [PL 1997, c. 373, §29 (AMD).]
28-A M.R.S. § 1402-A — ME Code / Title 28-A / Part 3 / Chapter 55 / Section 1402-A
28-A §1402-A. Samples of products
Status: in_force

A person licensed as a manufacturer of malt liquor or wine under section 1355‑A or licensed as a wholesaler may give a retail licensee samples of products under the following conditions: [PL 2015, c. 386, §1 (AMD).]

1. Invoice required. The products must be accompanied by an invoice; [PL 1997, c. 228, §1 (NEW).]

2. Product registered. The product must be registered with the bureau and clearly labeled as a sample; [PL 1997, c. 228, §1 (NEW).]

3. Taxes paid. Taxes must be paid on each item; [PL 1997, c. 228, §1 (NEW).]

3-A. Partial-bottle wine samples. Bottles of wine designated for partial-bottle sampling must be properly sealed between samplings. Partial-bottle wine samples may be provided only on the premises of a retailer licensed to sell wine for on-premises or off-premises consumption to the owner or a supervisory or managerial employee of the retailer; [PL 2021, c. 658, §238 (AMD).]

4. Full-bottle samples. The maximum amount of unopened full-bottle samples given to a retail licensee may not exceed 18 gallons of malt liquor and 18 liters of wine annually. A full-bottle sample is an unopened bottle of wine or malt liquor given to a retail licensee, which may be consumed by a retail licensee on or off the premises; [PL 2021, c. 658, §239 (AMD).]

4-A. Prohibited recipients. Malt liquor or wine samples authorized under this section may not be provided to a person who is a minor or who is visibly intoxicated; and [PL 2021, c. 658, §240 (NEW).]

5. Samples removed. [PL 2011, c. 629, §28 (RP).]

6. Records maintained. Records must be maintained for a 2-year period by the licensee giving or receiving samples. [PL 1997, c. 228, §1 (NEW).]
28-A M.R.S. § 82-A — ME Code / Title 28-A / Part 1 / Chapter 3-A / Section 82-A
28-A §82-A. Enforcement of licensing
Status: in_force

1. Authority. In addition to any authority a law enforcement officer has to enforce the laws, a law enforcement officer may, subject to subsections 2 and 4 , enforce this Title or the rules adopted pursuant to this Title against violations that may result in an administrative sanction against a licensee or the licensee's agents or employees. [PL 2005, c. 139, §4 (NEW).]

2. Commissioner. The commissioner in consultation with the Commissioner of Public Safety or the Commissioner of Public Safety's designee may by agreement, with the consent and approval of the affected law enforcement agency, designate the law enforcement agency's officers to exercise the enforcement authority identified in subsection 1 . [PL 2013, c. 368, Pt. V, §17 (AMD).]

3. Contract officers. The commissioner in consultation with the Commissioner of Public Safety or the Commissioner of Public Safety's designee may appoint contract officers for the purpose of enforcing this Title and the rules adopted pursuant to this Title against specific violations that may result in an administrative sanction against a licensee, or the licensee's agents or employees. [PL 2013, c. 368, Pt. V, §17 (AMD).]

4. Limitation. The commissioner in consultation with the Commissioner of Public Safety or the Commissioner of Public Safety's designee may limit the authority granted by this section to specific sections of this Title and rules adopted pursuant to those sections. [PL 2013, c. 368, Pt. V, §17 (AMD).]
28-A M.R.S. § 2073-E — ME Code / Title 28-A / Part 6 / Chapter 83 / Section 2073-E
28-A §2073-E. Importation and in-state transportation of liquor for special purposes
Status: in_force

1. Bureau may authorize importation and in-state transportation of liquor for special purposes. Notwithstanding any provision of law to the contrary, the bureau may grant a permit authorizing the transportation of liquor into and within the State to the following persons for the following specified purposes: A. To a hospital or state institution located in the State, for medicinal purposes only; [PL 2021, c. 658, §271 (NEW).] B. To a licensed physician, surgeon, osteopath, chiropractor, optometrist, dentist or veterinarian located in the State, for medicinal purposes only; [PL 2021, c. 658, §271 (NEW).] C. To a licensed pharmacist located in the State, for use in the compounding of prescriptions and other medicinal use but not for sale by the pharmacist unless compounded with or mixed with other substances; [PL 2021, c. 658, §271 (NEW).] D. To an industrial establishment located in the State, only for an industrial use, for use as an ingredient in the manufacture of food products, for use as an ingredient in the manufacture of commodities that by reason of their nature cannot be used for beverage purposes or for use in the manufacture of commodities unfit for beverage purposes; [PL 2021, c. 658, §271 (NEW).] E. To a school, college or state institution located in the State, for laboratory use only; [PL 2021, c. 658, §271 (NEW).] F. To a licensed in-state spirits manufacturer, for use as an ingredient in distilling or manufacturing spirits and other spirituous liquor products that are authorized by 27 Code of Federal Regulations. A permit issued under this paragraph authorizes only the transportation of spirits into and within the State and may not authorize the transportation of malt liquor or wine into and within the State; and [PL 2021, c. 658, §271 (NEW).] G. To a church or the pastor of a church located in the State, for sacramental purposes or similar religious rites only. [PL 2021, c. 658, §271 (NEW).] [PL 2021, c. 658, §271 (NEW).]

2. Invoice required. Each shipment of liquor transported into the State in accordance with this section must be accompanied by an invoice that includes the purchase number and the names of the sender and intended recipient of the liquor. [PL 2021, c. 658, §271 (NEW).]
28-B M.R.S. § 501 — ME Code / Title 28-B / Chapter 1 / Section 501
28-B §501. Operation of cultivation facilities
Status: in_force

A cultivation facility must be operated in accordance with the provisions of this section and the rules adopted pursuant to this chapter. [PL 2017, c. 409, Pt. A, §6 (NEW).]

1. Cultivation of adult use cannabis only for sale and distribution to other licensees. Except as otherwise provided in this section, a cultivation facility may cultivate adult use cannabis only for sale and distribution to products manufacturing facilities, cannabis stores or other cultivation facilities. [PL 2017, c. 409, Pt. A, §6 (NEW); PL 2021, c. 669, §5 (REV).]

2. Retail sale of adult use cannabis without separate cannabis store license prohibited. Except as provided in subsection 3 , a cultivation facility may not sell or offer to sell adult use cannabis, immature cannabis plants or seedlings to consumers unless the cultivation facility licensee obtains from the office a separate license to operate a cannabis store and otherwise complies with all applicable requirements under this chapter and the rules adopted pursuant to this chapter concerning the operation of cannabis stores. A cultivation facility may not give away adult use cannabis, adult use cannabis products or cannabis plants to a consumer. [PL 2023, c. 679, Pt. B, §61 (AMD).]

3. Operation of nursery cultivation facilities. A nursery cultivation facility as described in section 301, subsection 5 must be operated in accordance with the provisions of this subsection and must comply with all other applicable requirements of this chapter and the rules adopted pursuant to this chapter. A. A nursery cultivation facility may cultivate immature cannabis plants, seedlings and cannabis seeds only for sale and distribution to cannabis stores and to other cultivation facilities pursuant to paragraph C and to consumers pursuant to paragraph D . [PL 2017, c. 409, Pt. A, §6 (NEW); PL 2021, c. 669, §5 (REV).] B. A nursery cultivation facility may cultivate mature cannabis plants only for the propagation of those mature cannabis plants or for the production of cannabis seeds by those mature cannabis plants, but the area within a nursery cultivation facility in which mature cannabis plants are cultivated must be physically separated from the area within the facility in which immature cannabis plants and seedlings are cultivated. A nursery cultivation facility may not sell, distribute or otherwise transfer to any person mature cannabis plants, cannabis flower or cannabis trim. [PL 2017, c. 409, Pt. A, §6 (NEW); PL 2021, c. 669, §5 (REV).] C. A nursery cultivation facility may sell and distribute to cannabis stores and other cultivation facilities only immature cannabis plants, seedlings and cannabis seeds. Adult use cannabis sold by a nursery cultivation facility to cannabis stores and other cultivation facilities is subject to the excise tax imposed pursuant to Title 36, chapter 723 , which must be paid to the State Tax Assessor as required by subsection 9 . [PL 2019, c. 231, Pt. B, §2 (AMD); PL 2021, c. 669, §5 (REV).] D. A nursery cultivation facility may sell to consumers only immature cannabis plants, seedlings, cannabis seeds and agricultural or gardening supplies relating to the cultivation of cannabis pursuant to subsection 11 or from the nursery cultivation facility under this paragraph. Sales to consumers from a nursery cultivation facility: (1) Must be conducted within a portion of the licensed premises of the nursery cultivation facility that is dedicated to consumer sales of immature cannabis plants, seedlings, cannabis seeds and agricultural or gardening supplies relating to the cultivation of cannabis. A nursery cultivation facility licensee shall ensure that the portion of the licensed premises of the nursery cultivation facility that is dedicated to consumer sales complies with all applicable requirements of this chapter and the rules adopted pursuant to this chapter concerning the operation of cannabis stores; and (2) Are subject to the sales tax imposed pursuant to Title 36, section 1811 and must be collected and remitted as required by subsection 9 . [PL 2023, c. 396, §4 (AMD).] E. The office may adopt rules regulating the operation of nursery cultivation facilities. [PL 2023, c. 679, Pt. B, §62 (AMD).] [PL 2023, c. 679, Pt. B, §62 (AMD).]

4. Cannabis extraction without separate products manufacturing facility license prohibited. A cultivation facility may not engage in the manufacture of cannabis concentrate by cannabis extraction unless the cultivation facility licensee has obtained from the office a separate license to operate a products manufacturing facility and otherwise meets the requirements under this chapter and the rules adopted pursuant to this chapter concerning the operation of a products manufacturing facility and concerning cannabis extraction. A cultivation facility licensee with a separate license to operate a products manufacturing facility may share hallways or other common areas with the products manufacturing facility. [PL 2023, c. 679, Pt. B, §63 (AMD).]

5. Use of shared facility for cultivation of adult use cannabis and cannabis for medical use. Subject to the requirements of this subsection and the rules adopted pursuant to this subsection, a cultivation facility licensee that is also a registered caregiver or a registered dispensary may cultivate adult use cannabis pursuant to this chapter within the same facility in which the licensee also cultivates cannabis for medical use pursuant to the Maine Medical Use of Cannabis Act. A cultivation facility licensee may share a facility for cultivation with a registered caregiver or registered dispensary pursuant to this subsection as long as at least one owner of the cultivation facility is also the registered caregiver or an owner of the registered dispensary but is not required to have identical ownership. A. A cultivation facility licensee that cultivates cannabis under this subsection must comply with all applicable requirements of this chapter and the rules adopted pursuant to this chapter concerning the operation of cultivation facilities. [PL 2017, c. 409, Pt. A, §6 (NEW); PL 2021, c. 669, §5 (REV).] B. Except as provided in paragraph C , the areas of the shared facility in which adult use cannabis is cultivated must be separated from the areas of the shared facility in which cannabis for medical use is cultivated in a manner that provides for a visually conspicuous delineation of the physical space between the cultivation area for adult use cannabis and the cultivation area for cannabis for medical use. For the purposes of this paragraph, "visually conspicuous delineation" means a permanently constructed physical barrier including, but not limited to, a wall or fencing. [PL 2023, c. 679, Pt. B, §64 (AMD).] C. The following items or areas within the shared facility may be shared for both the cultivation of adult use cannabis and the cultivation of cannabis for medical use: (1) Cultivation-related and noncultivation-related equipment, except that cultivation-related equipment may not be simultaneously used for the cultivation of adult use cannabis and the cultivation of cannabis for medical use; (2) Cultivation-related and noncultivation-related supplies or products not containing cannabis or cannabis products and the storage areas for those supplies or products; and (3) General office space, bathrooms, entryways and walkways. [PL 2017, c. 409, Pt. A, §6 (NEW); PL 2021, c. 669, §5 (REV).] D. Each cannabis plant within the shared facility must be tagged or otherwise identified as an adult use cannabis plant or a cannabis plant for medical use. [PL 2017, c. 409, Pt. A, §6 (NEW); PL 2021, c. 669, §5 (REV).] E. [PL 2023, c. 679, Pt. B, §64 (RP).] F. The office may require a cultivation facility licensee to provide a colocation plan describing how the licensee will ensure that cultivation-related equipment will not be simultaneously used for the cultivation of adult use cannabis and cannabis for medical use and how the licensee will ensure that adult use cannabis will be kept separate from cannabis for medical use pursuant to the requirements of this chapter and the rules adopted pursuant to this chapter and the Maine Medical Use of Cannabis Act. [PL 2023, c. 679, Pt. B, §64 (NEW).] [PL 2023, c. 679, Pt. B, §64 (AMD).]

6. Limited authorization for sale of cannabis plants and cannabis seeds by registered caregiver or registered dispensary to cultivation facility licensee. [PL 2023, c. 679, Pt. B, §65 (RP).]

7. Requirements for outdoor cultivation. This subsection governs outdoor cultivation operations by a cultivation facility licensee. A. An outdoor cultivation area within the licensed premises of a cultivation facility may not share a common wall or fence with an outdoor cultivation area within the licensed premises of a different cultivation facility. [PL 2017, c. 409, Pt. A, §6 (NEW).] B. The outer boundary of an outdoor cultivation area within the licensed premises of a cultivation facility must be separated by at least 20 feet from the outer boundary of an outdoor cultivation area within the licensed premises of a different cultivation facility. [PL 2017, c. 409, Pt. A, §6 (NEW).] C. The office may adopt rules regarding the outdoor cultivation of adult use cannabis by a cultivation facility licensee, including, but not limited to, security requirements specific to outdoor cultivation operations and requirements for shielding outdoor cultivation operations from public view. [PL 2023, c. 679, Pt. B, §66 (AMD).] [PL 2023, c. 679, Pt. B, §66 (AMD).]

8. Sampling by other licensees. A cultivation facility licensee may provide samples of adult use cannabis cultivated at the licensed premises to a products manufacturing facility licensee or a cannabis store licensee for business or marketing purposes only. Samples provided by a cultivation facility licensee to another licensee under this subsection may not be consumed within the licensed premises of the cultivation facility. This subsection does not apply to a nursery cultivation facility licensee. [PL 2017, c. 409, Pt. A, §6 (NEW); PL 2021, c. 669, §5 (REV).]

9. Excise tax; sales tax. A cultivation facility licensee shall ensure that the tax imposed on the sale of adult use cannabis pursuant to Title 36, chapter 723 is paid to the State Tax Assessor. A nursery cultivation facility licensee shall ensure that the tax imposed on the sale of adult use cannabis and adult use cannabis products under Title 36, section 1811 is collected and remitted in accordance with the requirements of Title 36, Part 3 and the rules adopted pursuant to Title 36, Part 3 . [PL 2019, c. 231, Pt. B, §4 (AMD); PL 2021, c. 669, §5 (REV); PL 2021, c. 669, §5 (REV).]

10. Tracking. In accordance with the requirements of section 105 , a cultivation facility licensee shall track the adult use cannabis it cultivates from immature cannabis plant to the point at which the cannabis plant or the cannabis produced by the cannabis plant is delivered or transferred to a products manufacturing facility, a testing facility, a cannabis store or another cultivation facility or is disposed of or destroyed. If a cultivation facility receives a return of a cannabis plant, cannabis flower or cannabis trim from a products manufacturing facility, a cannabis store or another cultivation facility, the cultivation facility licensee receiving the return shall track the returned cannabis plant, cannabis flower or cannabis trim to the point at which the return is transferred to a products manufacturing facility, a testing facility, a cannabis store or a cultivation facility or is disposed of or destroyed. [PL 2023, c. 396, §5 (AMD).]

11. Delivery service. A tier 1 cultivation facility under section 301, subsection 1 , a tier 2 cultivation facility under section 301, subsection 2 and a nursery cultivation facility may sell to consumers through a delivery service operated under the same requirements as for cannabis stores under section 504, subsection 9 , but a nursery cultivation facility may sell under this subsection only those items authorized for sale under subsection 3, paragraph D . A cultivation facility authorized to conduct retail sales under this subsection shall ensure that the tax imposed on the sale of adult use cannabis and adult use cannabis products to a consumer pursuant to Title 36, section 1811 is collected and remitted in accordance with the requirements of Title 36, Part 3 and the rules adopted pursuant to Title 36, Part 3 . [PL 2023, c. 396, §6 (NEW).]

12. Acquisition of seeds and seedlings. Notwithstanding any provision of law to the contrary, a cultivation facility licensee or nursery cultivation facility licensee may acquire seeds or seedlings as follows: A. By lawful purchase from another cultivation facility licensee, including a nursery cultivation facility licensee; or [PL 2023, c. 679, Pt. B, §67 (NEW).] B. By gift from an individual, who must be at least 21 years of age and a resident of the State: (1) A licensee may not accept, during a 90-day period, more than one transfer of 2 1/2 ounces of seeds or more than one transfer of 12 seedlings from each individual gifting seeds or seedlings to that licensee during that 90-day period; (2) Before accepting a gift of seeds or seedlings from an individual, the licensee must receive approval from the office, in writing, to accept the gift of seeds or seedlings. A licensee that receives seeds or seedlings as a gift from an individual shall record on forms made available by the office the full name, contact telephone number and the identification number of a valid state identification belonging to each individual; (3) The individual gifting the seeds or seedlings to the licensee may not receive remuneration of any kind in return; and (4) The gift of the seeds or seedlings must not be conditional or contingent upon any other terms or requirements of the licensee. [PL 2023, c. 679, Pt. B, §67 (NEW).] Any seeds or seedlings acquired pursuant to this subsection must be tracked pursuant to section 105 . [PL 2023, c. 679, Pt. B, §67 (NEW).]
28-A M.R.S. § 2078 — ME Code / Title 28-A / Part 6 / Chapter 83 / Section 2078
28-A §2078. Illegal sale of liquor
Status: in_force

1. Sale of liquor without a valid license. Any person who, or any person whose employee or agent, sells liquor within the State without a valid license commits a Class E crime and, notwithstanding Title 17‑A, section 4‑A , shall be punished: A. For the first offense, by a fine of not less than $300 plus costs nor more than $500 plus costs, which fine and costs may not be suspended, and an additional penalty of not more than 30 days imprisonment at the discretion of the court; [PL 1987, c. 45, Pt. A, §4 (NEW).] B. For a 2nd offense, by a fine of not less than $500 plus costs nor more than $1,000 plus costs, which fine and costs may not be suspended, and an additional penalty of not more than 60 days imprisonment at the discretion of the court; and [PL 1987, c. 45, Pt. A, §4 (NEW).] C. For all subsequent offenses, by a fine of not less than $1,000 plus costs and 60 days imprisonment, which fine and costs and sentence may not be suspended, and an additional penalty of 4 months imprisonment at the discretion of the court. [PL 1987, c. 45, Pt. A, §4 (NEW).] [PL 1987, c. 45, Pt. A, §4 (NEW).]

2. Employee or agent equally guilty. Any agent or other person in the employment of or on the premises of another, who violates or in any manner assists in violating any law relating to liquor, is equally guilty with the principal and is subject to the same penalties. [PL 1987, c. 45, Pt. A, §4 (NEW).]
28-B M.R.S. § 406 — ME Code / Title 28-B / Chapter 1 / Section 406
28-B §406. Notification to department
Status: in_force

A municipality shall notify the department within 14 days of the date the municipality authorizes the operation of a cannabis establishment within the municipality; issues or renews a license for the operation of a cannabis establishment within the municipality; withdraws authorization or suspends or revokes a license for the operation of a cannabis establishment within the municipality; approves relocation of the licensed premises of a cannabis establishment to the municipality; or approves a transfer of ownership interests in a license the licensed premises of which are located within the municipality. For the purposes of this section, "municipality" has the same meaning as in section 212 . [PL 2017, c. 409, Pt. A, §6 (NEW); PL 2021, c. 669, §5 (REV).]

The department shall provide the Bureau of Revenue Services with any information received pursuant to this section within 14 days of the date the department receives that information. [PL 2017, c. 409, Pt. A, §6 (NEW).]
28-B M.R.S. § 803 — ME Code / Title 28-B / Chapter 1 / Section 803
28-B §803. Disposition of unauthorized cannabis or cannabis products of licensee
Status: in_force

1. Order; destruction of cannabis or cannabis products. If the office issues a final order imposing a monetary penalty on or a license suspension or revocation against a licensee pursuant to this subchapter, the office may specify in the order, in addition to any other penalties imposed in the order, that all or a portion of the cannabis or cannabis products in the possession of the licensee are not authorized under this chapter and are subject to destruction. A licensee subject to a final order directing the destruction of cannabis or cannabis products in the possession of the licensee shall forfeit the cannabis and cannabis products described in the order to the office for destruction. [PL 2023, c. 679, Pt. B, §135 (AMD).]

2. Investigation. If the office is notified by a criminal justice agency that there is a pending investigation of a licensee subject to an order imposed under subsection 1 , the office may not destroy any cannabis or cannabis products of that licensee until the destruction is approved by the criminal justice agency. [PL 2023, c. 679, Pt. B, §135 (AMD).]
28-A M.R.S. § 2505 — ME Code / Title 28-A / Part 8 / Chapter 100 / Section 2505
28-A §2505. Defendants
Status: in_force

1. Licensee as a defendant. Any server who is a licensee or employee or agent of a licensee who commits an act giving rise to liability, as provided in sections 2506 and 2507 , may be made a defendant to a claim under this Act. [PL 1987, c. 45, Pt. A, §4 (NEW).]

2. Nonlicensee as a defendant. Any server who is a nonlicensee who commits an act giving rise to liability, as provided in section 2506, subsection 1 , and section 2507 , may be made a defendant to a claim under this Act. [PL 1987, c. 45, Pt. A, §4 (NEW).]
28-B M.R.S. § 204 — ME Code / Title 28-B / Chapter 1 / Section 204
28-B §204. Criminal history record check
Status: in_force

The office shall request a criminal history record check for each applicant for an initial license under this chapter and for each licensee every 2 years thereafter. If the applicant or licensee is a business entity, every principal of the business entity is required to submit to a criminal history record check in accordance with this section. A criminal history record check conducted pursuant to this section must include criminal history record information obtained from the Maine Criminal Justice Information System established in Title 16, section 631 and the Federal Bureau of Investigation. [PL 2023, c. 679, Pt. B, §28 (AMD).]

1. Record of public criminal history information required. Criminal history record information obtained from the Maine Criminal Justice Information System pursuant to this section must include a record of public criminal history record information as defined in Title 16, section 703, subsection 8 . [PL 2017, c. 409, Pt. A, §6 (NEW).]

2. Other state and national criminal history record information required. Criminal history record information obtained from the Federal Bureau of Investigation pursuant to this section must include other state and national criminal history record information. [PL 2017, c. 409, Pt. A, §6 (NEW).]

3. Fingerprinting. An individual required to submit to a criminal history record check under this section shall submit to having the individual's fingerprints taken. The State Police, upon payment by the individual of the fee required under subsection 4 , shall take or cause to be taken the individual's fingerprints and shall forward the fingerprints to the Department of Public Safety, Bureau of State Police, State Bureau of Identification. The State Bureau of Identification shall conduct the state and national criminal history record checks required under this section. Except for the portion of a payment, if any, that constitutes the processing fee for a criminal history record check charged by the Federal Bureau of Investigation, all money received by the State Police under this section must be paid to the Treasurer of State, who shall apply the money to the expenses incurred by the Department of Public Safety in the administration of this section. [PL 2017, c. 409, Pt. A, §6 (NEW).]

4. Fees. The office shall by rule set the amount of the fee to be paid by an individual under subsection 3 for each criminal history record check required to be performed under this section. [PL 2023, c. 679, Pt. B, §29 (AMD).]

5. Availability of criminal history record information. The subject of a Federal Bureau of Investigation criminal history record check may obtain a copy of the criminal history record check by following the procedures outlined in 28 Code of Federal Regulations, Sections 16.32 and 16.33. The subject of a state criminal history record check may inspect and review the criminal history record information pursuant to Title 16, section 709 . [PL 2017, c. 409, Pt. A, §6 (NEW).]

6. Use of criminal history record information. State and national criminal history record information obtained by the office under this section may be used only for the purpose of screening an applicant for a license or a licensee under this chapter or as necessary for the issuance of an individual identification card under section 106 . [PL 2023, c. 679, Pt. B, §30 (AMD).]

7. Confidentiality. All criminal history record information obtained by the office pursuant to this section is confidential, is for the official use of the office only and may not be disseminated outside of the office or disclosed to any other person or entity except as provided in subsection 5 . [PL 2023, c. 679, Pt. B, §31 (AMD).]

8. Rules. The office, after consultation with the Department of Public Safety, Bureau of State Police, State Bureau of Identification, shall adopt rules to implement this section. [PL 2023, c. 679, Pt. B, §32 (AMD).]
28-B M.R.S. § 405 — ME Code / Title 28-B / Chapter 1 / Section 405
28-B §405. Information requests
Status: in_force

A municipality may request that the office provide any information obtained by the office pursuant to the provisions of subchapter 2 or 3 that the municipality determines necessary for the administration of its local authorization process for cannabis establishments under this subchapter. Unless the information is confidential pursuant to law or rule, the office, in a timely manner, shall provide the information requested pursuant to this section. For the purposes of this section, "municipality" has the same meaning as in section 212 . [PL 2023, c. 679, Pt. B, §60 (AMD).]
28-B M.R.S. § 113 — ME Code / Title 28-B / Chapter 1 / Section 113
28-B §113. Report to Legislature
Status: in_force

1. Report required. By February 15, 2025, and annually thereafter, the office shall submit a report to the joint standing committee of the Legislature having jurisdiction over adult use cannabis matters as provided in this section. [PL 2023, c. 679, Pt. B, §19 (AMD).]

2. Report contents. The report required under subsection 1 must, at a minimum, include the following information: A. The number of applications for each type of license submitted to the office pursuant to this chapter during the prior calendar year, including, if applicable, the number of applications for license renewals, and the number of each type of license conditionally approved by the office during the prior calendar year; [PL 2023, c. 679, Pt. B, §20 (AMD).] B. The total number of each type of active license issued by the office pursuant to this chapter in the prior calendar year following local authorization of a conditionally approved licensee; [PL 2023, c. 679, Pt. B, §20 (AMD).] C. The total square footage of plant canopy approved by the office for active cultivation facilities licensed in the prior calendar year, the percentage of active cultivation facility licenses by cultivation tier and, if applicable, the number of approved increases in the maximum plant canopy allowed under a tier 4 cultivation facility license in the prior calendar year pursuant to section 304 ; [PL 2023, c. 679, Pt. B, §20 (AMD).] D. The total amount of application fees and license fees collected pursuant to this chapter and the total amount of the excise and sales tax revenue collected on the sale of adult use cannabis and adult use cannabis products during the prior calendar year; [PL 2017, c. 409, Pt. A, §6 (NEW); PL 2021, c. 669, §5 (REV).] E. An overview of current adult use cannabis-related staffing at the office and the cost to the office to regulate the adult use cannabis industry in the State during the prior fiscal year and cost projections for the upcoming fiscal year; [PL 2023, c. 679, Pt. B, §20 (AMD).] F. The total reported volume and value of adult use cannabis cultivated and sold by all cultivation facilities in the prior calendar year, when available; [PL 2017, c. 409, Pt. A, §6 (NEW); PL 2021, c. 669, §5 (REV).] G. The total reported volume and value of adult use cannabis and adult use cannabis products sold by all cannabis stores in the prior calendar year, when available; [PL 2017, c. 409, Pt. A, §6 (NEW); PL 2021, c. 669, §5 (REV).] H. The number of inspections of the licensed premises of licensees performed by the office during the prior calendar year and the results of those inspections, including, but not limited to, the number of inspections resulting in license violations and the percentage of all licensees inspected during the prior calendar year; [PL 2023, c. 679, Pt. B, §20 (AMD).] I. The number of license violations committed by licensees during the prior calendar year and a breakdown of those violations into specific categories based on the type of violation and the outcome of the violation, including, but not limited to, the total amount of monetary penalties imposed and collected by the office and the percentage of total license violations resulting in the imposition of a monetary penalty, license suspension or license revocation; [PL 2023, c. 679, Pt. B, §20 (AMD).] J. Public health and safety data collected, received or analyzed by the office pursuant to section 107 in the prior calendar year; [PL 2023, c. 679, Pt. B, §20 (AMD).] K. Recommendations, including any suggested legislation, to address any issues with the regulation of the adult use cannabis industry in the State encountered by the office in the prior calendar year; and [PL 2023, c. 679, Pt. B, §20 (AMD).] L. A detailed account of income and expenditures for the Adult Use Cannabis Regulatory Coordination Fund established in section 1102 and the Adult Use Cannabis Public Health and Safety and Municipal Opt-in Fund established in section 1101 . [PL 2023, c. 679, Pt. B, §20 (NEW).] [PL 2023, c. 679, Pt. B, §20 (AMD).]

3. Authority to report out legislation. After reviewing the report required under subsection 1 , the joint standing committee of the Legislature having jurisdiction over adult use cannabis matters may report out legislation to implement any recommendations contained in the report or to address any other issues identified in the report. [PL 2017, c. 409, Pt. A, §6 (NEW); PL 2021, c. 669, §5 (REV).]
28-A M.R.S. § 1072 — ME Code / Title 28-A / Part 3 / Chapter 43 / Section 1072
28-A §1072. Clubs
Status: in_force

1. Issuance of licenses. The bureau may issue licenses under this section for the sale of spirits, wine and malt liquor to be consumed on the premises to clubs, as defined in section 2, subsection 15, paragraph D . [PL 1997, c. 373, §99 (AMD).]

2. Requirements. Except as provided in subsection 3 , for at least one year immediately before filing the application for a license, a club must have: A. Been in continuous operation and existence; [PL 1987, c. 45, Pt. A, §4 (NEW).] B. Regularly occupied as owner or lessee a suitable clubhouse or quarters for use of club members; [PL 2021, c. 658, §188 (AMD).] C. Held regular meetings; [PL 1987, c. 45, Pt. A, §4 (NEW).] D. Conducted its business through officers regularly elected; and [PL 1987, c. 45, Pt. A, §4 (NEW).] E. Charged and collected dues from club members. [PL 2021, c. 658, §188 (AMD).] [PL 2021, c. 658, §188 (AMD).]

3. Exception to one-year requirement. Any organization in the State having a charter from a national organization is exempt from the one-year requirement of subsection 2 if it has been established for not less than 3 months. [PL 1993, c. 730, §44 (AMD).]

4. Register of club members. Every club shall keep and maintain a register of the name, identity and address of each club member. The club shall allow any liquor inspector or other authorized agent of the bureau to inspect the register at any reasonable time. [PL 2021, c. 658, §189 (AMD).]

5. Sale of liquor only to club members and guests; exception. Except as provided in paragraph A or B , licensed clubs may not sell liquor to anyone except club members and their guests accompanying them. A. Licensed veterans' and fraternal organizations and social clubs may sell liquor to members of the same national or affiliated international organization and to members of auxiliaries of the same national or affiliated international organization and their guests accompanying them. [PL 1987, c. 45, Pt. A, §4 (NEW).] B. At the discretion of and by agreement with the bureau, a licensed veterans' organization may, subject to time-of-day and seasonal limitations defined at the time of license approval, sell liquor to the public if the organization has a valid license and is located on an island off the coast of the State that is provided with ferry service pursuant to Title 23, Part 6 and Title 35‑A, chapter 51 . When a licensed veterans' organization sells liquor to the public pursuant to this paragraph, the premises at which the liquor is sold are deemed a public place for purposes of Title 22, chapter 262 during the time the public is invited or allowed to be present, and smoking, as defined in Title 22, section 1541, subsection 6 , is prohibited during that time. [PL 2021, c. 658, §190 (AMD).] [PL 2021, c. 658, §190 (AMD).]

6. Sales in original containers forbidden. A club may not sell spirits in the original container. [PL 2021, c. 658, §191 (AMD).]
28-A M.R.S. § 5 — ME Code / Title 28-A / Part 1 / Chapter 1 / Section 5
28-A §5. Prevailing time
Status: in_force

The hours referred to in this Title are the legal time prevailing in the State on the day of the sale or other activity. [PL 1987, c. 45, Pt. A, §4 (NEW).]
28-A M.R.S. § 2516 — ME Code / Title 28-A / Part 8 / Chapter 100 / Section 2516
28-A §2516. Privileges
Status: in_force

1. Refusal to serve. No licensee is liable for damages resulting from a good faith refusal to serve liquor to any individual who: A. Fails to show proper identification of age; [PL 1987, c. 45, Pt. A, §4 (NEW).] B. Reasonably appears to be a minor; or [PL 1987, c. 45, Pt. A, §4 (NEW).] C. Is refused service in a good faith effort to prevent the individual from becoming visibly intoxicated. [PL 2021, c. 658, §283 (AMD).] [PL 2021, c. 658, §283 (AMD).]

2. Holding identification documents. No licensee is liable for retaining identification documents presented to the licensee as proof of the individual's age for the purpose of receiving liquor provided that: A. Retention is for a reasonable length of time in a good faith effort to determine whether the individual is of legal age; and [PL 1987, c. 45, Pt. A, §4 (NEW).] B. The licensee informs the individual why the licensee is retaining the identification documents. [PL 2021, c. 658, §284 (AMD).] [PL 2021, c. 658, §284 (AMD).]

3. Other defenses not limited. This section does not limit a licensee's right to assert any other defense provided by law. [PL 1987, c. 45, Pt. A, §4 (NEW).]

4. Failure to exercise privileges. A licensee may not be held liable under this Act for failing to exercise any privilege provided in this section. This section does not provide immunity from liability under sections 2506 and 2507 . [PL 1987, c. 45, Pt. A, §4 (NEW).]
28-A M.R.S. § 704 — ME Code / Title 28-A / Part 3 / Chapter 29 / Section 704
28-A §704. Employment of minors
Status: in_force

1. Employees under 17 years of age. A licensee for the sale of liquor to be consumed on licensed premises may not employ a person under 17 years of age in the serving or selling of liquor on the premises where the liquor is sold. A licensee who violates this subsection is subject to the penalties in section 803 . [PL 2003, c. 452, Pt. P, §3 (RPR); PL 2003, c. 452, Pt. X, §2 (AFF).]

1-A. (REALLOCATED FROM T. 28-A, §704, sub-§2) Employees between 17 and 21 years of age. An employee who is at least 17 years of age but less than 21 years of age may serve or sell liquor only in the presence of an employee who is at least 21 years of age and is in a supervisory capacity. A. A licensee whose employee violates this subsection is subject to the penalties in section 803 . [RR 2003, c. 1, §26 (RAL); RR 2003, c. 1, §27 (AFF).] B. An employee who violates this subsection is subject to the penalties in section 803 . [RR 2003, c. 1, §26 (RAL); RR 2003, c. 1, §27 (AFF).] [RR 2003, c. 1, §26 (RAL); RR 2003, c. 1, §27 (AFF).]

2. Penalty. [PL 1993, c. 266, §8 (RP).]

2. (REALLOCATED TO T. 28-A, §704, sub-§1-A) Employees between 17 and 21 years of age. [RR 2003, c. 1, §26 (RAL); RR 2003, c. 1, §27 (AFF); PL 2003, c. 452, Pt. P, §3 (RPR); PL 2003, c. 452, Pt. X, §2 (AFF).]
28-B M.R.S. § 510 — ME Code / Title 28-B / Chapter 1 / Section 510
28-B §510. Limited access areas
Status: in_force

Except as provided in subsection 1 , a person may not enter or remain in any limited access area unless the person displays an individual identification card issued by the office pursuant to section 106 . [PL 2023, c. 679, Pt. B, §108 (AMD).]

1. Contractors. A licensee may allow a person to enter or remain in any limited access area without displaying an individual identification card if the person is a contractor of the licensee, including, but not limited to, an electrician, a plumber, an engineer or an alarm technician, whose scope of work will not involve the handling of cannabis or cannabis products and the person signs a visitor entry log provided and maintained by the licensee and is issued a visitor identification badge by the licensee. [PL 2023, c. 679, Pt. B, §108 (AMD).]

1-A. Visitors. A licensee may allow a visitor who is not a minor to enter or remain in any limited access area without displaying an individual identification card if the visitor signs a visitor entry log provided and maintained by the licensee, the visitor is issued a visitor identification badge by the licensee and, if the visitor is visiting in a limited access area with immediate access to cannabis or cannabis products, the visitor is accompanied at all times by the licensee or an employee of the licensee. [PL 2023, c. 679, Pt. B, §108 (NEW).]

2. Licensee compliance. A licensee shall ensure that all areas of ingress to and egress from limited access areas within its licensed premises are conspicuously marked and that a person is not allowed to enter or remain in any limited access area without displaying the person's individual identification card issued by the office pursuant to section 106 . [PL 2023, c. 679, Pt. B, §108 (AMD).]
28-A M.R.S. § 1012 — ME Code / Title 28-A / Part 3 / Chapter 41 / Section 1012
28-A §1012. Other retail licenses
Status: in_force

1. Incorporated civic organizations. An incorporated civic organization may obtain up to 5 licenses per year to sell spirits, wine and malt liquor for on-premises consumption as provided in section 1071 . The fee for each license is $50. A. [PL 2021, c. 658, §155 (RP).] B. [PL 1987, c. 623, §12 (RP).] [PL 2021, c. 658, §155 (AMD).]

2. Auxiliary license. The following licensed establishments may obtain an auxiliary license to sell spirits, wine or malt liquor for on-premises consumption at one additional premises as provided in section 1075 : A. A Class A restaurant located at, a Class A restaurant/lounge located at, a Class A lounge located at or a hotel with a Class I license located at a ski area, golf course or disc golf course; and [PL 2021, c. 658, §156 (RPR).] B. A golf course with a Class I license or a club with a Class I or Class V license located at a golf course or disc golf course. [PL 2021, c. 658, §156 (NEW).] The fee for an auxiliary license is $100. [PL 2021, c. 658, §156 (RPR).]

3. Off-premises catering license. A club licensed to sell spirits, wine and malt liquor or a licensed Class A restaurant, licensed Class A restaurant/lounge, licensed restaurant, licensed Class A lounge, licensed hotel, licensed bed and breakfast, licensed golf course, licensed auditorium, licensed civic auditorium or licensed performing arts center may obtain a license to conduct off-premises catering of the same type or types of liquor that the establishment may sell pursuant to the establishment's underlying club, Class A restaurant, Class A restaurant/lounge, restaurant, Class A lounge, hotel, bed and breakfast, golf course, auditorium, civic auditorium or performing arts center license as provided in section 1052 . The fee for an off-premises catering license is $10 per calendar day of the event or gathering. A. [PL 2021, c. 658, §157 (RP).] [PL 2025, c. 230, Pt. A, §10 (AMD).]

4. Golf course or disc golf course mobile service bar. A licensee that is the owner of a golf course or disc golf course and a licensee that is a Class A restaurant located at, a Class A restaurant/lounge located at or a hotel with a Class I license located at a golf course or disc golf course may apply for a license to sell liquor from a mobile service bar as provided in section 1075‑A . The license fee per calendar year is $100. [PL 2021, c. 658, §158 (RPR).]

5. Small distillery off-premises license. [PL 2011, c. 629, §16 (RP).]

6. Minibar license. The bureau may issue a license for the placement of a minibar to an operator of a hotel licensed under section 1061 or in accordance with the license required by Title 30‑A, section 3811 subject to the following conditions and applicable rules established by the bureau: A. The fee for a minibar license for a hotel holding an existing license under section 1061 is $100 annually plus $5 for each room in which a minibar is placed, not to exceed a maximum of $900 per hotel; [PL 2009, c. 458, §2 (NEW).] B. The fee for a minibar license for a hotel holding an existing license under Title 30‑A, section 3811 is $200 annually plus $10 for each room in which a minibar is placed; [PL 2009, c. 458, §2 (NEW).] C. A minibar may be stocked with malt liquor, wine and spirits as well as other complementary merchandise; [PL 2021, c. 658, §159 (AMD).] D. Supplies of malt liquor and wine for a hotel minibar must be purchased from a wholesale licensee; [PL 2021, c. 658, §160 (AMD).] E. Supplies of spirits for a hotel minibar must be purchased from an agency liquor store licensed as a reselling agent under section 453‑C ; [PL 2019, c. 404, §17 (AMD).] F. A hotel must maintain invoices for all liquor stocked in a minibar and must maintain records of all sales of liquor sold or dispensed from a minibar; [PL 2019, c. 404, §17 (AMD).] G. A minibar must be equipped with a secure locking device that may be unlocked only by persons 21 years of age or older; [PL 2009, c. 458, §2 (NEW).] H. A hotel room equipped with a minibar may be rented only to a person who is 21 years of age or older and who has demonstrated proof of age by presenting proper identification as described in section 2087 unless the minibar is secured in a manner that prevents access by a person under 21 years of age; [PL 2009, c. 458, §2 (NEW).] I. The registered occupant of a hotel room equipped with a minibar is liable for any violation of liquor laws by anyone under 21 years of age who also occupies or enters the room; and [PL 2009, c. 458, §2 (NEW).] J. A minibar may be stocked and serviced only by an employee who is 21 years of age or older. [PL 2009, c. 458, §2 (NEW).] The bureau may adopt rules to implement this subsection. Rules adopted pursuant to this subsection are routine technical rules as defined in Title 5, chapter 375, subchapter 2‑A . [PL 2021, c. 658, §§159, 160 (AMD).]

7. Common consumption area license. A licensed auditorium, hotel, restaurant, Class A restaurant or Class A restaurant/lounge or a manufacturer licensed under section 1355‑A may apply for a common consumption area license to operate a common consumption area within an entertainment district established in accordance with section 221 . The license fee is $100. [PL 2019, c. 281, §8 (NEW).]
28-A M.R.S. § 457 — ME Code / Title 28-A / Part 2 / Chapter 19 / Section 457
28-A §457. Transfer of agency liquor store license
Status: in_force

Upon application of a licensee under this chapter, an agency liquor store license must be transferred to a new owner upon the sale of the licensed establishment and payment of the transfer fee required in section 1010‑A, subsection 2 if the new owner is eligible under section 601 and the physical premises of the establishment remain unchanged. [PL 2021, c. 658, §72 (AMD).]
28-A M.R.S. § 1357 — ME Code / Title 28-A / Part 3 / Chapter 51 / Section 1357
28-A §1357. Sales to persons in another state
Status: in_force

Notwithstanding any provision of this Title to the contrary, a manufacturer licensed under section 1355‑A may sell and ship its products to a person located in another state, as long as the sale and shipment are authorized by and conducted in accordance with the requirements of the law of the state where the shipment is delivered. [PL 2021, c. 8, §2 (NEW).]
28-B M.R.S. § 511 — ME Code / Title 28-B / Chapter 1 / Section 511
28-B §511. Record keeping and inspection of records; audits
Status: in_force

1. Record keeping; inspection of records. A licensee shall maintain a complete set of all records of the licensee's business transactions, which may be stored electronically. Upon providing at least 24 hours' notice, the office may inspect or audit the licensee's records during regular business hours. The office may not conduct an audit of a licensee's records more than twice in any 6-month period. The cost of any audit must be paid by the office from the Adult Use Cannabis Regulatory Coordination Fund under section 1102 . Nothing in this subsection may be construed to prevent the office from reviewing at any time business records submitted through the tracking system in accordance with section 105. Records must be maintained by a licensee at a minimum for a period comprising the current tax year and the 6 immediately preceding tax years in accordance with Title 36, section 135 . [PL 2023, c. 679, Pt. B, §109 (AMD).]

2. Additional information may be required. [PL 2023, c. 679, Pt. B, §109 (RP).]

3. Audit. The office may require a licensee to submit to an audit of the licensee's business records. If the office requires a licensee to submit to an audit, the licensee shall provide the auditor selected by the office with access to all business records of the licensee and the cost of the audit must be paid by the office from the Adult Use Cannabis Regulatory Coordination Fund under section 1102 . [PL 2023, c. 679, Pt. B, §109 (AMD).]

4. Confidentiality. This subsection governs the confidentiality of records under this section. A. Documents of a licensee inspected or examined by the office pursuant to this section are confidential and may not be disclosed except as needed in a civil or criminal proceeding to enforce any provision of this chapter and the rules adopted pursuant to this chapter or any criminal law. [PL 2023, c. 679, Pt. B, §109 (AMD).] B. Audit working papers are confidential and may not be disclosed to any person outside the office, except that audit working papers may be disclosed to the licensee subject to the audit. A final audit report is a public record for the purposes of Title 1, chapter 13, subchapter 1 . For the purposes of this paragraph, "audit working papers" means all documentation and other information acquired, prepared or maintained by the office and the auditor selected by the office during the conduct of the audit, including, but not limited to, draft reports and portions of draft reports. [PL 2023, c. 679, Pt. B, §109 (AMD).] [PL 2023, c. 679, Pt. B, §109 (AMD).]
28-A M.R.S. § 703-A — ME Code / Title 28-A / Part 3 / Chapter 29 / Section 703-A
28-A §703-A. Prohibition of employment of violators as retail employees
Status: in_force

1. Employment prohibited. A retail licensee may not employ a person as a retail employee if that person, within 2 years of the date of that person's application for employment, has been convicted of a first offense of violating section 2078 or section 2081, subsection 1, paragraph A or B . A retail licensee may not employ a person as a retail employee if that person, within 5 years of the date of that person's application for employment, has been convicted of a 2nd offense of violating section 2078 or section 2081, subsection 1, paragraph A or B . [PL 1993, c. 254, §1 (AMD).]

2. Affidavit required. Retail licensees shall require a person applying for employment as a retail employee to furnish to the licensee an affidavit stating that the applicant has not been convicted of a first offense of violating section 2078 or section 2081, subsection 1, paragraph A or B , within 2 years of the date of the affidavit. Retail licensees shall require a person applying for employment as a retail employee to furnish to the licensee an affidavit stating that the applicant has not been convicted of a 2nd offense of violating section 2078 or section 2081, subsection 1, paragraph A or B , within 5 years of the date of the affidavit. The affidavit must be executed at the time of application. The bureau shall develop the affidavit required by this section and make single copies of that affidavit available to retailers. [PL 1997, c. 373, §66 (AMD).]
28-B M.R.S. § 107 — ME Code / Title 28-B / Chapter 1 / Section 107
28-B §107. Collection and analysis of public health and safety data
Status: in_force

The office shall develop programs or initiatives to facilitate the collection and analysis of data regarding the effects of the use of cannabis in the State, including, but not limited to, youth and adult cannabis use; school suspension and discipline relating to the use of cannabis; poison center calls, emergency department visits and hospitalizations relating to the use of or exposure to cannabis; operating under the influence citations or arrests relating to the use of cannabis; motor vehicle accidents, including information on fatalities, relating to the use of cannabis; property crime relating to the regulated and unregulated adult use cannabis markets; and cannabis-related citations or arrests. The office may adopt rules to implement this section. [PL 2023, c. 679, Pt. B, §15 (AMD).]
28-A M.R.S. § 2512 — ME Code / Title 28-A / Part 8 / Chapter 100 / Section 2512
28-A §2512. Named and retained; several liability
Status: in_force

1. Named and retained. No action against a server may be maintained unless the minor, the intoxicated individual or the estate of the minor or intoxicated individual is named as a defendant in the action and is retained in the action until the litigation is concluded by trial or settlement. [PL 1987, c. 45, Pt. A, §4 (NEW).]

2. Several but not joint liability. The intoxicated individual and any server, as described in section 2505 , are each severally liable and not jointly liable for that percentage of the plaintiff's damages which corresponds to each defendant's percentage of fault as determined by the court or a jury. [PL 1987, c. 45, Pt. A, §4 (NEW).]
28-A M.R.S. § 2073-A — ME Code / Title 28-A / Part 6 / Chapter 83 / Section 2073-A
28-A §2073-A. Importation of spirits
Status: in_force

1. Prohibition. Except as provided in subsection 2 and section 2073‑E , a person other than the bureau may not transport spirits into the State or cause spirits to be transported into the State. [PL 2021, c. 658, §267 (NEW).]

2. Exceptions. Notwithstanding subsection 1 , a person may transport spirits into the State or cause spirits to be transported into the State in the following circumstances. A. An individual may transport into the State up to 4 liters of spirits for the individual's personal use. [PL 2021, c. 658, §267 (NEW).] B. Upon application, the bureau may grant a permit to an individual authorizing the individual to transport into and within the State more than 4 liters of spirits for the individual's personal use. [PL 2021, c. 658, §267 (NEW).] C. An out-of-state spirits supplier may transport spirits into the State or may cause spirits to be transported into the State by a common carrier or contract carrier authorized by the Department of Public Safety. Each shipment of spirits transported into the State in accordance with this paragraph must be accompanied by an invoice that includes the purchase number and the names of the sender and intended recipient of the spirits, who must be authorized to receive spirits imports under section 2073‑B, subsection 2, paragraph B . [PL 2021, c. 658, §267 (NEW).] [PL 2021, c. 658, §267 (NEW).]

3. Penalties. The following penalties apply to violations of this section. A. A person that transports into the State or that causes to be transported into the State a quantity of less than 40 liters of spirits in violation of this section commits a civil violation for which a fine of not more than $500 may be adjudged. [PL 2021, c. 658, §267 (NEW).] B. A person that transports into the State or that causes to be transported into the State a quantity of 40 or more liters of spirits in violation of this section commits a Class E crime, which is a strict liability crime as defined in Title 17‑A, section 34, subsection 4‑A . [PL 2021, c. 658, §267 (NEW).] [PL 2021, c. 658, §267 (NEW).]

4. Evidence. The possession of more than 8 liters of spirits in one or more containers that are not labeled in accordance with Title 38, section 3105 is prima facie evidence of a violation of this section. [PL 2021, c. 658, §267 (NEW).]

5. Forfeiture. Notwithstanding section 2221‑A , a court shall order spirits transported or caused to be transported into the State in violation of this section to be forfeited to the State and disposed of as provided in section 2229 : A. If a person fails to appear in court either in person or by counsel on the date and time specified in response to a Uniform Summons and Complaint issued for a violation of this section; or [PL 2021, c. 658, §267 (NEW).] B. As part of every adjudication and imposition of a fine under subsection 3, paragraph A and every conviction under subsection 3, paragraph B . [PL 2021, c. 658, §267 (NEW).] [PL 2021, c. 658, §267 (NEW).]
28-A M.R.S. § 2087 — ME Code / Title 28-A / Part 6 / Chapter 83 / Section 2087
28-A §2087. Refusal to provide proper identification
Status: in_force

1. Refusal to provide proper identification prohibited. A person may not intentionally refuse to provide a law enforcement officer proper identification if: A. The person is present on licensed premises at a time when minors are not permitted to be on the premises; [PL 1999, c. 413, §2 (NEW).] B. The officer has a reasonable and articulable suspicion that a violation of law has taken place or is taking place because a minor is present on licensed premises; [PL 1999, c. 413, §2 (NEW).] C. The officer has a reasonable and articulable suspicion that the person is a minor; and [PL 1999, c. 413, §2 (NEW).] D. The officer has informed the person that the officer is investigating a possible liquor violation involving the presence of minors on the licensed premises and that the officer believes that the person is a minor. [PL 1999, c. 413, §2 (NEW).] For purposes of this section, "proper identification" means a person's correct name, address and date of birth except that, if a person has in the person's possession an identification card issued under Title 29‑A, section 1410 , or a motor vehicle operator's license bearing the photograph of the operator and issued under Title 29‑A, chapter 11 , proper identification means that identification card or motor vehicle operator's license. [PL 1999, c. 413, §2 (NEW).]

2. Penalties. A violation of this section is a civil violation for which a forfeiture of not more than $500 may be adjudged. [PL 1999, c. 413, §2 (NEW).]

3. Defense. It is a defense to prosecution under subsection 1 if in a situation that involved risk to the minor or to another person of overdose from the consumption of alcohol, including but not limited to extreme physical illness, decreased level of consciousness, respiratory depression, coma, mania or death from the consumption of alcohol: A. The minor in good faith sought medical or emergency treatment or assistance for the minor or the other person; or [PL 2015, c. 154, §2 (NEW).] B. The minor was the person for whom medical or emergency treatment or assistance was sought and the evidence of the violation of this section is obtained as a result of a person contacting emergency medical services or law enforcement. [PL 2015, c. 154, §2 (NEW).] This subsection does not provide a defense to a charge of operating a motor vehicle while under the influence of alcohol. [PL 2015, c. 154, §2 (NEW).]
28-A M.R.S. § 1405 — ME Code / Title 28-A / Part 3 / Chapter 55 / Section 1405
28-A §1405. Bonded wholesale licensees
Status: in_force

1. Procedures for bonded wholesale licensees. Bonded wholesale licensees shall order and purchase malt liquor and wine under the following procedures. A. The bureau shall furnish all purchase order forms. [PL 1997, c. 373, §129 (AMD).] B. [PL 2021, c. 622, §5 (RP).] C. The bonded wholesale licensee shall submit a copy of the completed purchase order form to the certificate of approval holder with which the bonded wholesale licensee wishes to place the order. [PL 2023, c. 405, Pt. A, §107 (RPR).] D. The bonded wholesale licensee shall submit to the bureau, in a manner specified by the bureau, a copy of the completed purchase order form and retain a copy for the licensee's files. [PL 2021, c. 622, §5 (AMD).] [PL 2023, c. 405, Pt. A, §107 (AMD).]

2. Corporate security bond. To secure payment of the excise tax, each wholesale licensee shall file with the bureau a corporate surety bond guaranteeing payment of the proper excise tax due the State. A. The bureau shall fix the amount and terms of the bond, subject to the following restrictions. (1) The bond must be equal to the highest monthly excise tax paid by the wholesale licensee during the period of the prior year license, plus 10% of the highest month. (2) New licensees desiring to furnish bond under this section shall furnish a corporate surety bond in an amount to be determined by the bureau. (3) All bonds must be provided and effective only for each licensed year. [PL 2013, c. 368, Pt. XXXX, §6 (AMD); PL 2013, c. 368, Pt. XXXX, §13 (AFF).] B. Failure to pay the excise tax when due is grounds for suspension of the license of the wholesale licensee. [PL 2013, c. 368, Pt. XXXX, §6 (AMD); PL 2013, c. 368, Pt. XXXX, §13 (AFF).] [PL 2013, c. 368, Pt. XXXX, §6 (AMD); PL 2013, c. 368, Pt. XXXX, §13 (AFF).]

3. Payment of excise tax. By filing the bond required in subsection 2 , a wholesale licensee may pay monthly the excise tax imposed by section 1652 on all malt liquor or wine shipped into the State as shown by invoice of the shipment by the holder of a certificate of approval issued under section 1361 . A. The wholesale licensee shall pay the excise tax by the 15th day of the calendar month following the month in which shipment occurs. [PL 2013, c. 368, Pt. XXXX, §7 (AMD); PL 2013, c. 368, Pt. XXXX, §13 (AFF).] B. At the time of payment of the excise tax, each wholesale licensee shall file with the bureau in the form prescribed by the bureau: (1) A verified monthly report of all malt liquor or wine purchased or imported based on the date of shipment invoice during the preceding calendar month; and (2) Any additional information the bureau requires to compute and ensure the accuracy of the excise tax payment accompanying the report. [PL 2021, c. 658, §249 (AMD).] [PL 2021, c. 658, §249 (AMD).]
28-B M.R.S. § 211 — ME Code / Title 28-B / Chapter 1 / Section 211
28-B §211. Relocation of licensed premises
Status: in_force

1. Relocation application. A licensee may apply to the office, on forms prepared and furnished by the office, for approval to relocate the licensed premises of the cannabis establishment that the licensee is licensed to operate. [PL 2023, c. 679, Pt. B, §43 (AMD).]

2. Local authorization required. The office shall, within 10 days of receiving certification of local authorization pursuant to section 402, subsection 3, paragraph B from the municipality in which the relocated licensed premises are to be located or pursuant to section 403, subsection 3, paragraphs B and C from the Maine Land Use Planning Commission if the relocated licensed premises are to be located in the unorganized and deorganized areas, notify the licensee that local authorization has been confirmed for the relocation and that the licensee may proceed with relocation, and the office shall issue to the licensee an updated license specifying the address of the new premises. [PL 2023, c. 679, Pt. B, §43 (AMD).]

3. Effect on license term. A relocation of licensed premises pursuant to this section does not extend or otherwise modify the license term of the license subject to relocation. [PL 2017, c. 409, Pt. A, §6 (NEW).]

4. Rules. The office shall by rule adopt requirements for the submission of a license relocation application and standards for the approval of a relocation application. [PL 2023, c. 679, Pt. B, §43 (AMD).]
28-A M.R.S. § 1501 — ME Code / Title 28-A / Part 3 / Chapter 59 / Section 1501
28-A §1501. Lists of officers, partners and sales representatives
Status: in_force

All persons selling liquor in the State shall furnish to the bureau a list of all officers and directors, if a corporation, or a list of all partners, if a partnership, and the name of the sales representatives of the person within the State. [PL 2015, c. 129, §8 (AMD); PL 2015, c. 184, §4 (AMD).]
28-A M.R.S. § 803 — ME Code / Title 28-A / Part 3 / Chapter 33 / Section 803
28-A §803. Revocation or suspension procedure
Status: in_force

1. Violation of law or rule. Upon discovering a violation of federal or state law, rule or regulation relating to liquor or an infraction of a rule adopted by the bureau, the director of the bureau, or the director's designee, shall: A. Report the violation to the District Court in a signed complaint; or [PL 2021, c. 658, §117 (AMD).] B. Issue warnings to the licensees involved. [PL 1987, c. 45, Pt. A, §4 (NEW).] [PL 2021, c. 658, §117 (AMD).]

2. Notice and hearing. Except as provided under subsection 6 , upon receipt of a signed complaint prepared under subsection 1, paragraph A , notice must be provided and a hearing must be held according to the following procedures. A. The director of the bureau or the director's designee shall notify the licensee or the licensee's agent or employee by serving on the licensee or the licensee's agent or employee a copy of the complaint and a notice stating the time and place of the hearing and that the licensee or the licensee's agent or employee may appear in person or by counsel at the hearing. Service of the complaint and hearing notice upon the licensee is sufficient when served in hand by the director's designee or when sent by registered or certified mail at least 7 days before the date of the hearing to the address given by the licensee at the time of the licensee's application for a license or certificate of approval. Service of the complaint and hearing notice upon a licensee's agent or employee is sufficient when served in hand by the director's designee or when sent by registered or certified mail at least 7 days before the date of the hearing to the address given by the agent or employee at the time the agent or employee was initially notified by the bureau of the violation. The director or the director's designee shall file proof of service with the District Court. [PL 2021, c. 658, §117 (AMD).] B. The District Court shall conduct a hearing limited to the facts, the law and the rules of the bureau, as specified in the complaint. [PL 2021, c. 658, §117 (AMD).] C. The District Court shall conduct the hearing in the following manner. (1) The District Court may administer oaths to witnesses and issue subpoenas at the request of any party, including subpoenas to compel the attendance of parents and legal guardians of unemancipated minors. (a) The bureau shall pay to the witnesses the legal fees for travel and attendance, except that, notwithstanding Title 16, section 253 , the bureau is not required to pay the fees before the travel and attendance occur. (2) Hearsay testimony is not admissible during the hearing. The licensees, agents or employees named in the complaint have the right to have all witnesses testify in person at the hearing. (3) The District Court shall conduct hearings in one or more designated places that are the most convenient and economical for all parties concerned in the hearing. [PL 2009, c. 199, §7 (AMD).] D. The District Court shall render a decision in each case, based upon the facts, the law and the rules of the bureau. The findings must specify the facts found and the law or rules found to be violated. [PL 2009, c. 199, §7 (AMD).] [PL 2021, c. 658, §117 (AMD).]

2-A. Suspension or revocation decision. [PL 2011, c. 559, Pt. A, §31 (RP).]

3. Suspension of penalty; place case on file. After hearing, the District Court may: A. Suspend a penalty; or [PL 1987, c. 45, Pt. A, §4 (NEW).] B. Place a case on file instead of imposing a penalty. [PL 2021, c. 658, §117 (AMD).] [PL 2021, c. 658, §117 (AMD).]

4. Application of suspension or revocation. A suspension or revocation applies to premises and persons in the following manner. A. If a licensee is directly or indirectly interested in more than one license or certificate of approval, suspensions apply only to the premises where the violation occurs. [PL 2021, c. 658, §117 (AMD).] B. If a licensee is interested directly or indirectly in more than one license or certificate of approval, the District Court may order that a revocation apply to any of those premises. [PL 2021, c. 658, §117 (AMD).] C. If the licensee is a corporation, the District Court shall treat the officers, directors and substantial stockholders as individuals. [PL 2021, c. 658, §117 (AMD).] [PL 2021, c. 658, §117 (AMD).]

5. Term of suspension or revocation. Except as provided by section 802, subsection 3 , suspensions must be for a definite period of time. If the District Court revokes a license or certificate of approval, the District Court shall specify that the bureau may not issue a license or certificate of approval to the person whose license or certificate of approval is revoked for a period of not less than one year nor more than 5 years from the date of revocation. [PL 2021, c. 658, §117 (AMD).]

6. Warnings. Upon the written recommendation of the director of the bureau, or the director's designee, the District Court, instead of notifying a licensee against which a complaint is pending to appear for hearing, may send the licensee a warning. Warnings must be sent by registered or certified mail and contain a copy of the complaint. A licensee to which a warning is sent may demand a hearing by notifying the District Court by registered or certified mail within 10 days from the date the warning was mailed. [PL 2021, c. 658, §117 (AMD).]

7. License or certificate of approval subsequent to violation. If a violation by a licensee remains undiscovered during the one-year period of the license or certificate of approval or continues after the licensee's license or certificate of approval has been renewed, the license or certificate of approval issued for a new year subsequent to the violation may be suspended or revoked by the District Court. [PL 2021, c. 658, §117 (AMD).]

8. Fines. Notwithstanding any provision of this Title to the contrary, the District Court may impose a fine of a specific sum on a licensee or the licensee's agent or employee, of not less than $50 nor more than $1,500, for any one offense. Such a fine may be imposed instead of or in addition to any suspension or revocation of a license or certificate of approval by the court. A. The District Court shall maintain a record of all fines received by the court and shall pay the fines into the General Fund by the 15th day of each month. [PL 2021, c. 658, §117 (AMD).] [PL 2021, c. 658, §117 (AMD).]

9. Offer in compromise. Notwithstanding any provision of this Title to the contrary, the District Court may accept from a wholesale licensee or certificate of approval holder under this Title an offer in compromise in lieu of suspension of a wholesale license or certificate of approval suspended by the District Court. A. A wholesale licensee or certificate of approval holder may petition the District Court to accept an offer in compromise within 10 days following receipt of notice of the suspension. [PL 2021, c. 658, §117 (AMD).] B. The fine in lieu of suspension, when an offer in compromise is accepted by the District Court, must be 50% of the daily gross profit multiplied by the number of days of license suspension, except that the fine may not be less than $75 for each day of license suspension or more than $1,500 for any one offense. For purposes of this paragraph, "daily gross profit" means 1/30 of the total gross receipts from the sale of liquor during the 30 business days immediately before the date of receipt of the notice of the license suspension, less the invoice cost of the liquor sold by the wholesale licensee or certificate of approval holder during those 30 business days. [PL 2021, c. 658, §117 (AMD).] C. The wholesale licensee or certificate of approval holder shall pay the fine to the District Court within 5 days from the date of the acceptance of the offer in compromise. The District Court shall then pay the fine into the General Fund. [PL 2021, c. 658, §117 (AMD).] D. If a wholesale licensee or certificate of approval holder fails to pay the fine in full within the time period allowed in this subsection, the suspension of license or certificate of approval begins on the following day. [PL 1987, c. 45, Pt. A, §4 (NEW).] E. [PL 1987, c. 342, §55 (RP).] [PL 2021, c. 658, §117 (AMD).]
28-A M.R.S. § 1401-A — ME Code / Title 28-A / Part 3 / Chapter 55 / Section 1401-A
28-A §1401-A. Limitation on definition of "certificate of approval holder"
Status: in_force

Notwithstanding section 2, subsection 8 , as used in this chapter, unless the context otherwise indicates, "certificate of approval holder" means an in-state manufacturer of malt liquor or wine licensed under section 1355‑A or an out-of-state manufacturer of or out-of-state wholesaler of malt liquor or wine that has been issued a certificate of approval under section 1361 . [PL 2019, c. 615, §5 (NEW); PL 2019, c. 615, §7 (AFF).]
28-A M.R.S. § 15 — ME Code / Title 28-A / Part 1 / Chapter 1 / Section 15
28-A §15. Display of signs
Status: in_force

A licensee under chapter 19 or 45 shall post a sign provided by the commissioner in a conspicuous location at the licensed premises informing customers of the provisions of sections 2051 and 2081 . A person who violates this section commits a civil violation for which a fine of not less than $50 nor more than $200 may be adjudged for any one offense. [PL 2005, c. 437, §1 (NEW).]
28-A M.R.S. § 1075 — ME Code / Title 28-A / Part 3 / Chapter 43 / Section 1075
28-A §1075. Auxiliary licenses
Status: in_force

1. Issuance of licenses. Pursuant to section 1012, subsection 2 and subject to the requirements of subsection 1‑A , the bureau may issue one auxiliary license under this section for the sale of spirits, wine or malt liquor for on-premises consumption at one additional premises to: A. A Class A restaurant located at, a Class A restaurant/lounge located at, a Class A lounge located at or a hotel with a Class I license located at a ski area, golf course or disc golf course; or [PL 2021, c. 658, §195 (RPR).] A-1. A golf course with a Class I license or a club with a Class I or Class V license located at a golf course or disc golf course. [PL 2021, c. 658, §195 (NEW).] B. [PL 2021, c. 658, §195 (RP).] C. [PL 2021, c. 658, §195 (RP).] D. [PL 2021, c. 658, §195 (RP).] [PL 2021, c. 658, §195 (RPR).]

1-A. Qualifications. To qualify for an auxiliary license under this section: A. The additional premises that will be subject to the auxiliary license must be located at the same ski area, golf course or disc golf course as the licensee's current Class A restaurant, Class A restaurant/lounge, Class A lounge, hotel, golf course or club; [PL 2021, c. 658, §195 (NEW).] B. The additional premises must offer food for sale to the public consistent with the sale of food requirement for the primary licensed premises, although the food need not be prepared at the additional premises; and [PL 2023, c. 44, §28 (AMD).] C. The additional premises must be properly equipped, including with tables, chairs and restrooms. [PL 2021, c. 658, §195 (NEW).] [PL 2023, c. 44, §28 (AMD).]

2. Sales for consumption on slopes or courses prohibited. A licensee under this section may not sell liquor at a ski area for consumption on the slopes away from the licensed area. Except as provided in section 1075‑A , a licensee under this section may not sell liquor at a golf course or disc golf course for consumption on the course away from the licensed area. [PL 2021, c. 658, §195 (RPR).]

2-A. Sales for consumption on slopes or courses prohibited. [PL 2005, c. 108, §3 (RP).]
28-B M.R.S. § 602 — ME Code / Title 28-B / Chapter 1 / Section 602
28-B §602. Mandatory testing
Status: in_force

A licensee may not sell or distribute adult use cannabis or an adult use cannabis product to a consumer under this chapter unless the cannabis or cannabis product has been tested pursuant to this subchapter and the rules adopted pursuant to this subchapter and that mandatory testing has demonstrated that the cannabis or cannabis product does not exceed the maximum level of allowable contamination for any contaminant that is injurious to health and for which testing is required. [PL 2021, c. 612, §2 (AMD); PL 2021, c. 669, §5 (REV).]

1. Scope of mandatory testing. Mandatory testing of adult use cannabis and adult use cannabis products under this section must include, but is not limited to, testing for: A. Residual solvents, poisons and toxins; [PL 2017, c. 409, Pt. A, §6 (NEW).] B. Harmful chemicals; [PL 2017, c. 409, Pt. A, §6 (NEW).] C. Dangerous yeasts, molds and mildew as specified in rules adopted by the office; [PL 2023, c. 679, Pt. B, §113 (AMD).] D. Harmful microbes, including, but not limited to, Escherichia coli and salmonella; [PL 2017, c. 409, Pt. A, §6 (NEW).] E. Pesticides, fungicides and insecticides; and [PL 2017, c. 409, Pt. A, §6 (NEW).] F. THC potency, homogeneity and cannabinoid profiles to ensure correct labeling. [PL 2017, c. 409, Pt. A, §6 (NEW).] The office may temporarily waive mandatory testing requirements under this section for any contaminant or factor for which the office has determined that there exists no licensed testing facility in the State capable of and certified to perform such testing. [PL 2023, c. 679, Pt. B, §§113, 114 (AMD).]

1-A. Testing of returns. Cannabis and cannabis products returned pursuant to section 502, subsection 14 or section 504, subsection 11 may be resold or redistributed without retesting if the tamper-evident packaging indicates that the cannabis or cannabis products have not been tampered with. Cannabis and cannabis products returned by a consumer to any licensee may not be resold. [PL 2023, c. 679, Pt. B, §115 (AMD).]

2. Record keeping. A licensee shall maintain a record of all mandatory testing that includes a description of the adult use cannabis or adult use cannabis product provided to the testing facility, the identity of the testing facility and the results of the mandatory test. A licensee that chooses to retest any adult use cannabis or adult use cannabis products for potency in accordance with section 503, subsection 4‑A shall maintain a record of all mandatory potency test results. [PL 2023, c. 679, Pt. B, §116 (AMD).]

3. Testing process, protocols and standards. The office shall establish by rule processes, protocols and standards for mandatory and other testing of cannabis and cannabis products that conform with the best practices generally used within the cannabis industry, including, but not limited to, an allowable variance rate for determining the amount or potency of THC or other cannabinoids in edible cannabis products. [PL 2023, c. 679, Pt. B, §117 (AMD).]
28-A M.R.S. § 1371 — ME Code / Title 28-A / Part 3 / Chapter 51 / Section 1371
28-A §1371. Special warehouse storage facilities
Status: in_force

1. Licensing of special warehouse storage facilities. Notwithstanding the importation restrictions of section 1361, subsection 4 and sections 2073‑A and 2073‑C , the bureau may issue a license authorizing the direct importation of malt liquor, wine or spirits by a manufacturer, wholesaler or spirits supplier located in a foreign country or another state into special warehouse storage facilities located within the State that are under the direct supervision and control of the licensee under this section or into a public warehouse with the approval of the bureau. [PL 2021, c. 658, §232 (AMD).]

2. Fee. The fee for a license under this section is $600 a year for malt liquor only, $600 a year for wine only and $600 a year for spirits only. [PL 2021, c. 658, §232 (AMD).]

3. Stored liquor not subject to state spirits tax or excise tax until withdrawn. Liquor stored in special warehouse storage facilities licensed under this section is not subject to the state spirits tax under section 1651 or to the excise tax under section 1652 until it is withdrawn from the special warehouse storage facilities. A. Malt liquor and wine withdrawn from the special warehouse storage facilities by wholesale licensees immediately become subject to the same tax as malt liquor and wine imported into the State from out-of-state certificate of approval holders. The wholesale licensee shall withdraw the malt liquor and wine to be distributed in the State by the procedure established in sections 1404 and 1405 . [PL 2021, c. 658, §232 (AMD).] B. The bureau may withdraw spirits from special warehouse storage facilities. [PL 1997, c. 373, §122 (AMD); PL 2013, c. 368, Pt. V, §61 (REV).] C. Out-of-state purchasers authorized by the bureau may withdraw spirits, wine and malt liquor from special warehouse storage facilities. The authorization allows the out-of-state purchasers to directly transport the spirits, wine and malt liquor to the state border for delivery outside of the State. Products withdrawn by authorized out-of-state purchasers for delivery outside of the State are not subject to the state spirits tax under section 1651 or the state excise tax under section 1652 . [PL 2021, c. 658, §232 (AMD).] [PL 2021, c. 658, §232 (AMD).]
28-A M.R.S. § 605 — ME Code / Title 28-A / Part 3 / Chapter 25 / Section 605
28-A §605. Transfer of licenses; death; bankruptcy; receivership; guardianship; corporations
Status: in_force

Except as otherwise provided in this section and section 608 , a license or any interest in a license may not be sold, transferred, assigned or otherwise subject to control by any person other than the licensee. If the business, or any interest in the business, in connection with which a licensed activity is conducted is sold, transferred or assigned, the licensee shall immediately send to the bureau the license and a sworn statement showing the name and address of the purchaser. The bureau is not required to refund any portion of the license fee if the license is surrendered before it expires. For the purposes of this section, neither a tenant brewery that is licensed in accordance with section 1355‑A, subsection 6 nor a tenant winery that is licensed in accordance with section 1355‑A, subsection 7 is considered to be subject to the control of the host brewery or host winery, as the case may be, as described in those subsections, or considered to have been transferred or assigned the license or interest in the license of the host brewery or host winery. [PL 2021, c. 658, §87 (AMD).]

1. Transfer within same municipality. Upon receipt of a written application, the bureau may transfer any retail liquor license from one place to another within the same municipality. If the approval of the municipal officers was required for the original license, the transfer may be made only with the approval of the municipal officers. No transfer may be made to premises for which the license could not have been originally legally issued. [PL 1997, c. 373, §55 (AMD).]

2. Death, bankruptcy or receivership. In the case of death, bankruptcy or receivership of any licensee, the executor or administrator of the deceased licensee or the trustee or receiver of the bankrupt licensee or licensee in receivership may retain the license for the remaining term of the license or transfer the license without additional fee. A. Personal representatives, receivers or trustees may operate the premises themselves or through a manager for a year from the date of their appointment for the benefit of the estate. (1) The license must be renewed upon the expiration date at the regular license fee. (2) If the license or renewed license is not transferred within one year from the date of appointment, it becomes void and must be returned to the bureau for cancellation. (3) Any suspension or revocation of the license by the District Court for any violation applies against both the manager and the personal representative, receiver or trustee. (4) A personal representative, receiver, trustee or duly appointed manager may not operate under the license unless approved by the bureau. [PL 2021, c. 658, §§88, 89 (AMD).] B. If a licensee dies, the following persons, with the written approval of the bureau, may continue the operation of the license for not more than 60 days pending appointment of a personal representative of the estate: (1) The surviving spouse; (2) A person who has filed a petition for appointment as executor or administrator for the estate of the deceased licensee; (3) Any sole heir of the deceased licensee; or (4) Any person designated by all of the heirs of the deceased licensee. [PL 1997, c. 373, §56 (AMD).] C. When no administration of the estate of a deceased licensee is contemplated, the surviving spouse or person designated by all of the heirs of the deceased licensee may take over the license under the same conditions as are provided for operation and transfer by executors and administrators. [PL 1987, c. 45, Pt. A, §4 (NEW).] [PL 2021, c. 658, §§88, 89 (AMD).]

2-A. Transfer to surviving spouse or designated heir. When the term of the license of a deceased licensee expires, the bureau shall transfer the license for the existing location to the surviving spouse or a designated heir of the deceased licensee if the surviving spouse or designated heir submits a request for the transfer of that license at least 60 days prior to the expiration of the license. The bureau may deny the transfer of the license if the surviving spouse or designated heir does not meet all of the eligibility requirements for that license set forth in this chapter. If both the surviving spouse and the designated heir request transfer of the license, the bureau shall reissue the license by the same process used if no surviving spouse or designated heir requested that the license be transferred. [PL 2001, c. 711, §7 (NEW).]

3. Guardians and conservators. Duly appointed and qualified guardians and conservators of the estate of a licensee may take over, operate and renew licenses of their wards during their term of office if they or their managers are approved by the bureau. A. Guardians and conservators, except in the case of off-premises retail licensees approved by the municipal officers in their municipality, may not transfer their wards' licenses and shall renew licenses each year. [PL 2021, c. 658, §90 (AMD).] B. Penalties for violations apply to both guardians or conservators and their managers in the same manner as executors or administrators and their managers in subsection 2 . [PL 1987, c. 45, Pt. A, §4 (NEW).] [PL 2021, c. 658, §90 (AMD).]

4. Sale of stock of a corporate licensee. Any sale or transfer of stock of a corporate licensee which results in the sale or transfer of more than 10% of the shares of stock of the corporate licensee shall be considered a transfer within the meaning of this section and a new license must be purchased. [PL 1987, c. 342, §26 (AMD).]

5. Incorporation of licensee's business. The incorporation of a licensee's business or a change in the form of incorporation of a licensee's business are transfers within the meaning of this section. This subsection does not apply to agency liquor stores as long as the licensed agent retains control of the corporate stock. [PL 1987, c. 623, §7 (AMD).]

6. Change in partnership. Addition or deletion of a partner in a partnership is a transfer within the meaning of this section. [PL 1987, c. 342, §27 (NEW).]

7. Corporate merger or acquisition. The merger or acquisition of a licensee which is incorporated is a transfer within the meaning of this section. [PL 1987, c. 342, §27 (NEW).]

8. Application. This section does not apply to certificate of approval holders. [PL 1987, c. 623, §7 (AMD).]
28-A M.R.S. § 705 — ME Code / Title 28-A / Part 3 / Chapter 29 / Section 705
28-A §705. Sales for cash; sales to certain persons restricted
Status: in_force

1. Sales for cash. Except as provided in subsection 1‑B , a wholesale licensee, the employee of a wholesale licensee or a reselling agent as defined by section 2, subsection 27‑A may not sell or offer to sell any liquor except for cash or payment by check or electronic funds transfer as provided in subsection 1‑A . A. [PL 2003, c. 349, §1 (RP).] B. [PL 2003, c. 349, §1 (RP).] C. [PL 2003, c. 349, §1 (RP).] D. [PL 2003, c. 349, §1 (RP).] [PL 2003, c. 349, §1 (RPR).]

1-A. Electronic funds transfer. For the purposes of this section, "electronic funds transfer" means using an electronic device for the purpose of ordering, instructing or authorizing a financial institution to debit or credit an account. A. Electronic funds transfers are permissible under the following conditions: (1) An agreement to engage in electronic funds transfer for payment for malt liquor or wine between manufacturers, wholesale licensees or retail licensees must be voluntary and in writing. A manufacturer, wholesale licensee or retail licensee may not refuse to do business with or otherwise limit business with another manufacturer, wholesale licensee or retail licensee for declining to pay for malt liquor or wine by electronic funds transfer; (2) When electronic funds transfer is the form of payment, the form of payment must be noted on the invoice at the time of delivery and acknowledged in writing by the buyer or the buyer's employee. The note on the invoice constitutes an irrevocable promise to pay. All parties to electronic funds transfer transactions will maintain records of those transactions for 2 years from the date of the transaction and make those records available for inspection by the bureau upon request; (3) Initiation of the electronic funds transfer must occur on the next business day after the delivery of the product; (4) Parties engaging in electronic funds transfers under this section pay their own costs associated with electronic funds transfers; and (5) Any electronic funds transfer transaction that is not completed due to insufficient funds is subject to the provisions of the Uniform Commercial Code. [PL 2021, c. 658, §95 (AMD).] [PL 2021, c. 658, §95 (AMD).]

1-B. Sales on credit. Credit may be extended: A. By a hotel or club to bona fide registered hotel guests or club members, respectively; [PL 2021, c. 658, §96 (AMD).] B. By a hotel or Class A restaurant to the holder of a credit card that authorizes the holder to charge goods or credits; and [PL 2003, c. 349, §2 (NEW).] C. By an on-premises licensee to the host of a private, prearranged function without a credit card. [PL 2003, c. 349, §2 (NEW).] [PL 2021, c. 658, §96 (AMD).]

1-C. Right of action. A right of action does not exist to collect claims for credits extended contrary to this section. [PL 2003, c. 349, §2 (NEW).]

1-D. Credit for deposits. This section does not prohibit a licensee from giving credit to a purchaser for the actual amount of the deposit on beverage containers as defined in Title 38, section 3102, subsection 2 or on the packages or original containers as a credit on any sale or from paying the amount actually charged for such a deposit on the packages or original containers. [PL 2015, c. 166, §2 (AMD).]

1-E. Goods in exchange for product prohibited; exception. A wholesale licensee or a wholesale licensee's employee or agent may not sell, offer to sell or furnish any liquor to any person on a passbook or store order or receive from any person any goods, wares, merchandise or other articles in exchange for liquor. This paragraph does not apply to beverage container deposits on packages or original containers that were originally purchased from that licensee by the person returning the packages or original containers. [PL 2003, c. 349, §2 (NEW).]

2. Prohibited sales of liquor or imitation liquor to be consumed off the premises. A licensee or licensee's employee or agent may not sell, furnish, give or deliver malt liquor, imitation liquor or wine to be consumed off the premises to: A. [PL 1993, c. 266, §10 (RP).] B. [PL 1987, c. 342, §37 (RP).] C. [PL 1987, c. 342, §37 (RP).] D. [PL 1993, c. 266, §10 (RP).] E. A minor. Any licensee who accepts an order or receives payment for liquor or imitation liquor from a minor violates this paragraph. [PL 1993, c. 266, §10 (AMD).] [PL 1993, c. 266, §10 (AMD).]

2-A. Prohibited sales of liquor to be consumed off the premises. A licensee or licensee's employee or agent may not sell, furnish, give or deliver malt liquor or wine to be consumed off the premises to a person who is visibly intoxicated. [PL 1993, c. 266, §11 (NEW).]

3. Prohibited sales of liquor or imitation liquor to be consumed on the premises. No licensee or licensee's employee or agent may sell, furnish, give, serve or permit to be served any liquor or imitation liquor to be consumed on the premises where sold to: A. [PL 1993, c. 266, §12 (RP).] B. [PL 1987, c. 342, §38 (RP).] C. [PL 1987, c. 342, §38 (RP).] D. [PL 1993, c. 266, §12 (RP).] E. A minor. Any licensee who accepts an order or receives payment for liquor or imitation liquor from a minor violates this paragraph. [PL 1993, c. 266, §12 (AMD).] [PL 1993, c. 266, §12 (AMD).]

3-A. Prohibited sales of liquor to be consumed on the premises. A licensee or licensee's employee or agent may not sell, furnish, give, serve or permit to be served any liquor to be consumed on the premises where sold to a person who is visibly intoxicated. [PL 1993, c. 266, §13 (NEW).]

4. Permitting consumption or possession by a minor on the premises. No licensee, or agent or employee of a licensee, may permit a minor to consume or possess liquor or imitation liquor on the premises. [PL 1993, c. 266, §14 (AMD).]

5. Sale of imitation liquor to minors. [PL 1993, c. 730, §29 (RP).]
28-B M.R.S. § 103 — ME Code / Title 28-B / Chapter 1 / Section 103
28-B §103. Unauthorized conduct; penalties
Status: in_force

1. Unauthorized conduct. Except as otherwise provided in this chapter, in the rules adopted pursuant to this chapter, in chapter 3 or in the Maine Medical Use of Cannabis Act or as specifically authorized pursuant to a license issued under this chapter, a person may not: A. Cultivate, manufacture or test cannabis or cannabis products; [PL 2017, c. 409, Pt. A, §6 (NEW); PL 2021, c. 669, §5 (REV).] B. Sell or offer for sale cannabis or cannabis products; [PL 2023, c. 6, §13 (AMD).] C. Use, possess, transport, transfer, furnish or purchase cannabis or cannabis products; or [PL 2023, c. 6, §14 (AMD).] D. Sell, offer for sale or furnish any products containing tobacco, nicotine or synthetic nicotine to any person without first obtaining a retail tobacco license in accordance with Title 22, chapter 262‑A . [PL 2023, c. 6, §15 (NEW).] [PL 2023, c. 6, §§13-15 (AMD).]

2. Penalties. In addition to any penalties that may be imposed pursuant to this chapter or chapter 3 , a person that violates any other provision of law or rule governing the conduct prohibited under subsection 1 is subject to any criminal or civil penalties that may be imposed pursuant to that other law or rule. [PL 2017, c. 409, Pt. A, §6 (NEW).]
28-A M.R.S. § 804 — ME Code / Title 28-A / Part 3 / Chapter 33 / Section 804
28-A §804. Record of proceedings and transcript
Status: in_force

The District Court shall keep a full and complete record of all proceedings on the revocation and suspension of a license or certificate of approval issued by the bureau. The District Court is not required to have a transcript of the testimony prepared unless required for rehearing or appeal. [PL 2021, c. 658, §118 (AMD).]
28-B M.R.S. § 503-A — ME Code / Title 28-B / Chapter 1 / Section 503-A
28-B §503-A. Operation of sample collectors
Status: in_force

A sample collector shall operate in accordance with the provisions of this section and the rules adopted pursuant to this chapter. [PL 2019, c. 676, §13 (NEW).]

1. Authorized operation. A sample collector is authorized to collect samples of cannabis and cannabis products from a cannabis establishment for mandatory and other testing by a testing facility and to transport and deliver those samples to the testing facility for those purposes. A sample collector may operate as an independent contractor or employee of a testing facility or as an employee of a business entity that employs 2 or more sample collectors and that is not a cultivation facility, a products manufacturing facility, a cannabis store, a registered caregiver, a registered dispensary or a manufacturing facility as defined in Title 22, section 2421‑A, subsection 27. [PL 2023, c. 679, Pt. B, §85 (AMD).]

2. Compliance with sampling protocols, standards and criteria. A sample collector shall follow all sampling protocols, standards and criteria adopted by rule or otherwise approved by the office for the sampling of different forms of cannabis and cannabis products. [PL 2023, c. 679, Pt. B, §86 (AMD).]

3. Record keeping. A sample collector shall maintain records of all business transactions in accordance with the record-keeping requirements of section 511 and section 602, subsections 2 and 3 . [PL 2019, c. 676, §13 (NEW).]

4. Disposal of cannabis and cannabis products. A sample collector shall dispose of or destroy used, unused and waste cannabis and cannabis products in accordance with rules adopted by the office. [PL 2023, c. 679, Pt. B, §87 (AMD).]

5. Independence of sample collector interest. A person with an interest in a sample collector license may not be a caregiver or a registered caregiver or have an interest in a registered dispensary, a cannabis store license, a cultivation facility license or a products manufacturing facility license but may hold or have an interest in a business entity that employs 2 or more sample collectors, in a testing facility license or in multiple testing facility licenses. A person who is a caregiver or a registered caregiver or who has an interest in a registered dispensary, a cannabis store license, a cultivation facility license or a products manufacturing facility license may not have an interest in a sample collector license. As used in this subsection, "interest" has the same meaning as in section 205, subsection 2, paragraph B . [PL 2019, c. 676, §13 (NEW); PL 2021, c. 669, §5 (REV).]

6. Tracking. In accordance with the requirements of section 105 , a sample collector shall track all adult use cannabis and adult use cannabis products it collects from a licensee for testing purposes from the point at which the cannabis or cannabis products are collected from a licensee to the point at which the cannabis or cannabis products are delivered to a testing facility or the cannabis or cannabis products are disposed of or destroyed. [PL 2019, c. 676, §13 (NEW); PL 2021, c. 669, §5 (REV).]

7. Rules. The office shall adopt rules regarding the licensing and operation of sample collectors pursuant to this chapter, including, but not limited to, rules establishing licensing requirements, acceptable sample collection methods, sample collector record keeping, documentation and business practices and standards for the disposal of used, unused and waste cannabis and cannabis products. Rules adopted pursuant to this subsection are routine technical rules as defined in Title 5, chapter 375, subchapter 2‑A. [PL 2023, c. 679, Pt. B, §88 (AMD).]
28-A M.R.S. § 1008 — ME Code / Title 28-A / Part 3 / Chapter 41 / Section 1008
28-A §1008. Class VI-A licenses
Status: in_force

1. Types of liquor which may be sold. A Class VI-A licensee may sell malt liquor to be consumed off the premises where sold. [PL 1987, c. 45, Pt. A, §4 (NEW).]

2. Fees. The fees for a Class VI-A license are as follows: A. Full-time (one year)...............$200. [PL 1993, c. 410, Pt. ZZ, §13 (AMD).] B. [PL 1993, c. 410, Pt. ZZ, §13 (RP).] C. [PL 1987, c. 342, §69 (RP).] D. [PL 1993, c. 410, Pt. ZZ, §13 (RP).] [PL 1993, c. 410, Pt. ZZ, §13 (AMD).]

3. Eligible premises. The following premises are eligible to obtain a Class VI-A license: A. Ship chandlers without a qualifying stock of groceries, compatible merchandise or combination of both. [PL 1987, c. 342, §70 (RPR).] [PL 1987, c. 342, §70 (AMD).]
28-A M.R.S. § 1503 — ME Code / Title 28-A / Part 3 / Chapter 59 / Section 1503
28-A §1503. Revocation of license
Status: in_force

Licenses issued by the bureau under this chapter must be revoked for the violation of the liquor laws or any rule adopted by the bureau. [PL 1997, c. 373, §136 (AMD).]
28-A M.R.S. § 604 — ME Code / Title 28-A / Part 3 / Chapter 25 / Section 604
28-A §604. Production of licenses or certificates of approval
Status: in_force

A licensee shall make available for inspection its licenses or certificates of approval at any premises in the State to which those licenses or certificates of approval apply. [PL 2021, c. 658, §86 (AMD).]
28-A M.R.S. § 502 — ME Code / Title 28-A / Part 2 / Chapter 21 / Section 502
28-A §502. Wholesale spirits provider prohibited financial interests
Status: in_force

The wholesale spirits provider and each principal officer of the wholesale spirits provider may not hold or possess: [PL 2021, c. 658, §82 (NEW).]

1. Agency liquor store license. An agency liquor store license; [PL 2021, c. 658, §82 (NEW).]

2. License to manufacture spirits. A license in this State or another state to manufacture spirits; or [PL 2021, c. 658, §82 (NEW).]

3. Direct financial interest in prohibited license. A direct financial interest in a license described in subsection 1 or 2 , except that a minor investment in not more than 1% of the securities of a business entity holding a license described in subsection 1 or 2 does not constitute a financial interest prohibited by this subsection. [PL 2021, c. 658, §82 (NEW).]
28-A M.R.S. § 453-C — ME Code / Title 28-A / Part 2 / Chapter 19 / Section 453-C
28-A §453-C. Reselling agents
Status: in_force

1. License to resell spirits purchased from the bureau; fortified wine sale permitted. An agency liquor store may not resell spirits purchased from the bureau to a retail licensee licensed for on-premises consumption unless the agency liquor store is licensed as a reselling agent under this section. A reselling agent is prohibited from reselling spirits to a retail licensee licensed for on-premises consumption unless the spirits are purchased from the bureau. A reselling agent may sell fortified wine to a retail licensee for on-premises consumption. [PL 2025, c. 230, Pt. A, §6 (AMD).]

2. License fee. The fee for a state license to resell spirits to a retail licensee licensed for on-premises consumption is $50 annually. [PL 2013, c. 269, Pt. C, §7 (AMD); PL 2013, c. 269, Pt. C, §13 (AFF).]

3. Off-site facility license. A licensed reselling agent may obtain a license to maintain an off-site facility for the storage and distribution of spirits as provided in this subsection. A. The off-site facility may be used for the storage of spirits intended for sale to an on-premises licensee or to fulfill and distribute orders to an on-premises licensee. The sales of spirits to an on-premises licensee may be transacted at the licensed retail agency store or at the licensed off-site facility. [PL 2015, c. 434, §1 (AMD).] B. The off-site facility must be equipped with a security system providing 24-hour response. [PL 2015, c. 434, §1 (AMD).] C. A licensed reselling agent may have only one off-site facility, which may not be located further than 5 miles from the licensed retail agency store. [PL 2015, c. 434, §1 (AMD).] D. The fee for an off-site facility license is $100 annually. [PL 2015, c. 434, §1 (AMD).] [PL 2015, c. 434, §1 (AMD).]

4. Reporting of spirits sales to on-premises licensees. Beginning October 15, 2016, a licensed reselling agent shall report on a monthly basis all spirits sales made to establishments licensed to sell spirits for on-premises consumption. A. A report under this subsection must be made to a trade association contracted by the bureau to collect spirits sales data from reselling agents as described in section 84, subsection 6 . [PL 2015, c. 430, §4 (NEW).] B. The bureau shall ensure that reports under this subsection may be made by electronic transmission through a secure website established by the bureau. A reselling agent that is not reasonably able to use the website may submit a report under this subsection on paper or by using other methods approved by the bureau. [PL 2015, c. 430, §4 (NEW).] C. The bureau may provide a stipend or reimbursement to reselling agents licensed and actively selling spirits to on-premises licensees as of July 1, 2016 to mitigate the costs of compliance with this subsection. [PL 2015, c. 430, §4 (NEW).] D. The bureau may adopt rules regarding mitigating the costs incurred by reselling agents in complying with this subsection. Rules adopted pursuant to this paragraph are routine technical rules as defined by Title 5, chapter 375, subchapter 2‑A . [PL 2015, c. 430, §4 (NEW).] [PL 2015, c. 430, §4 (NEW).]
28-B M.R.S. § 208 — ME Code / Title 28-B / Chapter 1 / Section 208
28-B §208. License term
Status: in_force

An active license issued by the office pursuant to section 205, subsection 4 is effective for a period of one year from the date of issuance and may be renewed pursuant to section 209 . [PL 2023, c. 679, Pt. B, §40 (AMD).]
28-A M.R.S. § 1455 — ME Code / Title 28-A / Part 3 / Chapter 57 / Section 1455
28-A §1455. Notice of intent to terminate
Status: in_force

1. Written notices. Before any termination procedure initiated by the certificate of approval holder, the certificate of approval holder shall give the wholesale licensee a written notice of any claimed deficiency existing in the wholesale licensee's territory and the certificate of approval holder shall give the wholesale licensee reasonable time or, if the certificate of approval holder is a small beer manufacturer or a small hard cider manufacturer, at least 30 days to correct the claimed deficiency or deficiencies. After this time has elapsed, the certificate of approval holder shall provide the wholesale licensee with a written notice of the certificate of approval holder's intent to amend, cancel, terminate, refuse to continue, refuse to renew or cause the wholesale licensee to resign from an agreement at least 90 days prior to the effective date of the intended amendment, cancellation, termination, refusal to continue, refusal to renew or causing of resignation. The written notice must state all of the reasons for the intended amendment, cancellation, termination, refusal to continue, refusal to renew or causing of resignation. The notice provisions of this section do not apply if the reason for the intended amendment, cancellation, termination, refusal to continue, refusal to renew or causing of resignation is: A. The bankruptcy or insolvency of the wholesale licensee; [PL 1987, c. 45, Pt. A, §4 (NEW).] B. An assignment for the benefit of creditors or similar disposition of the assets of the wholesale licensee's business; [PL 1987, c. 45, Pt. A, §4 (NEW).] C. Revocation of the wholesale licensee's license; or [PL 1987, c. 45, Pt. A, §4 (NEW).] D. Conviction or a plea of guilty or no contest to a charge of violating a law relating to the business that materially affects the wholesale licensee's ability to remain in business. [PL 1987, c. 45, Pt. A, §4 (NEW).] For purposes of this section, "small beer manufacturer" and "small hard cider manufacturer" have the same meanings as in section 1457, subsection 1‑A . [PL 2021, c. 658, §258 (AMD).]
28-A M.R.S. § 1002 — ME Code / Title 28-A / Part 3 / Chapter 41 / Section 1002
28-A §1002. Class I-A licenses
Status: in_force

1. Types of liquor which may be sold. A Class I-A licensee may sell spirits, wine and malt liquor to be consumed on the premises where sold. [PL 1987, c. 45, Pt. A, §4 (NEW).]

2. Fees. The fees for a Class I-A license are as follows: A. Full-time (one year)...............$1,100. [PL 1993, c. 410, Pt. ZZ, §7 (AMD).] B. [PL 1993, c. 410, Pt. ZZ, §7 (RP).] C. [PL 1987, c. 342, §58 (RP).] D. [PL 1993, c. 410, Pt. ZZ, §7 (RP).] [PL 1993, c. 410, Pt. ZZ, §7 (AMD).]

3. Eligible premises. The following premises are eligible to obtain a Class I-A license: A. Hotels which do not serve food. [PL 1987, c. 45, Pt. A, §4 (NEW).] [PL 1987, c. 45, Pt. A, §4 (NEW).]
28-A M.R.S. § 712 — ME Code / Title 28-A / Part 3 / Chapter 29 / Section 712
28-A §712. Advertising or sale of liquor by trade name
Status: in_force

1. Advertise or announce for sale by trade name. No licensee may advertise or offer for sale any malt liquor or wine by trade name or other designation which would indicate the manufacturer or place of manufacture of malt liquor or wine, unless the licensee actually has on hand and for sale a sufficient quantity of the particular malt liquor or wine advertised to meet requirements to be normally expected as the result of the advertisement or announcement. [PL 1987, c. 45, Pt. A, §4 (NEW).]

2. Serve from faucet, spigot, dispensing apparatus by trade name. A licensee may not furnish or serve any liquor from any faucet, spigot or other dispensing apparatus, unless: A. The trade name or brand of the liquor served appears in full sight of the customer in legible lettering upon the faucet, spigot or dispensing apparatus; or [PL 2017, c. 167, §13 (AMD).] B. The licensee displays a list of all liquor currently available on tap that is clearly visible to patrons of the establishment in a manner that allows a patron to identify the trade name or brand of the liquor that is being dispensed from each faucet, spigot or dispensing apparatus. [PL 2017, c. 167, §13 (AMD).] [PL 2017, c. 167, §13 (AMD).]
28-A M.R.S. § 1204 — ME Code / Title 28-A / Part 3 / Chapter 45 / Section 1204
28-A §1204. Ship chandlers
Status: in_force

1. Issuance of licenses. The bureau may issue licenses under this section for the sale of malt liquor and wine for off-premises consumption to ship chandlers, as defined in section 2, subsection 15, paragraph S . [PL 2021, c. 658, §212 (AMD).]

2. Conditions on sales. Ship chandlers may sell malt liquor and wine only to ships which are: A. Not licensed as retail licensees; and [PL 1987, c. 342, §106 (NEW).] B. Registered in another state or another country. [PL 1987, c. 342, §106 (NEW).] [PL 1987, c. 342, §106 (NEW).]

3. Exception to off-premises retail licensee requirements. Notwithstanding section 1201 , a licensed ship chandler is not required to have or maintain a stock of groceries, compatible merchandise or combination of both. [PL 2021, c. 658, §213 (AMD).]
28-A M.R.S. § 2072 — ME Code / Title 28-A / Part 6 / Chapter 83 / Section 2072
28-A §2072. Illegal deposit or possession with intent to sell
Status: in_force

1. Illegal deposit or possession. No person may deposit or have in that person's possession any liquor: A. With intent to sell the liquor in the State in violation of law; [PL 1987, c. 45, Pt. A, §4 (NEW).] B. With intent that the liquor be sold in the State in violation of law by any person; or [PL 1997, c. 373, §153 (AMD).] C. With intent to aid or assist any person in an illegal sale. [PL 1987, c. 45, Pt. A, §4 (NEW).] [PL 1997, c. 373, §153 (AMD).]

2. Penalties. A person who violates this section commits a Class E crime. [PL 1987, c. 45, Pt. A, §4 (NEW).]
28-B M.R.S. § 109 — ME Code / Title 28-B / Chapter 1 / Section 109
28-B §109. Enhanced training for criminal justice agencies and municipalities
Status: in_force

The office shall develop and implement or facilitate the development and implementation by a public or private entity of programs or initiatives providing enhanced training for criminal justice agencies and municipal officers and employees in the requirements and enforcement of this chapter and the rules adopted pursuant to this chapter, including, but not limited to, programs providing grants to regional or local criminal justice agencies or municipalities to train law enforcement officers and, if applicable, municipal officers and employees in inspections, investigations, searches, seizures, forfeitures and personal use and home cultivation allowances under this chapter and chapter 3 and the rules adopted pursuant to this chapter; in drug recognition procedures and the general enforcement of the State's motor vehicle laws relating to the use of cannabis; and in restorative justice, jail diversion, cannabis industry-specific technical assistance and mentoring for economically disadvantaged persons in communities disproportionately affected by high rates of arrest and incarceration for cannabis-related offenses. Training programs or initiatives developed and implemented pursuant to this section may be funded with revenue from the Adult Use Cannabis Public Health and Safety and Municipal Opt-in Fund established in section 1101. The office may adopt rules to implement this section. [PL 2023, c. 679, Pt. B, §17 (AMD).]
28-A M.R.S. § 1361 — ME Code / Title 28-A / Part 3 / Chapter 51 / Section 1361
28-A §1361. Certificate of approval; malt liquor or wine
Status: in_force

1. Certificate of approval required. An out-of-state manufacturer or out-of-state wholesaler of malt liquor or wine may not engage in the following activities unless the manufacturer or wholesaler has obtained a certificate of approval from the bureau in accordance with this section: A. Offer malt liquor or wine for sale in the State or sell malt liquor or wine in the State; or [PL 2021, c. 658, §227 (NEW).] B. Transport into or cause to be transported into the State malt liquor or wine for sale or resale in the State. [PL 2021, c. 658, §227 (NEW).] [PL 2021, c. 658, §227 (AMD).]

2. Fee for certificate of approval. The fee for a certificate of approval under this section is $1,000 per year for malt liquor only and $1,000 per year for wine only, except that the fee for an out-of-state manufacturer or out-of-state wholesaler of wine or malt liquor that ships 120 gallons of wine or malt liquor or less per year is $100. Payment of the fee must accompany the application for the certificate of approval. [PL 2021, c. 658, §227 (AMD).]

3. Conditions on certificate of approval. A certificate of approval under this section is subject to the laws of the State and the rules of the bureau. A. [PL 2021, c. 658, §227 (RP).] [PL 2021, c. 658, §227 (AMD).]

4. No sales of malt liquor or wine to person without wholesale license. Except as otherwise authorized in sections 2073‑C , 2073‑D and 2073‑E , a certificate of approval holder may not sell malt liquor or wine to a person that is not a wholesale licensee or cause malt liquor or wine to be transported into the State for sale to any person that is not a wholesale licensee. Malt liquor or wine must be delivered to the place of business of the wholesale licensee as shown in the wholesale licensee's license, must be unloaded and inventoried at the wholesale licensee's premises upon the wholesale licensee's receipt of the shipment and must come to rest before delivery is made to any retailer to enable the bureau to inspect and inventory the wholesale licensee's warehouses for the purpose of verifying taxes that are required to be paid on imported malt liquor and wine. This subsection does not apply to a licensed small brewery or small winery authorized under section 1355‑A to sell its own products directly to retailers. [PL 2021, c. 658, §227 (AMD).]

5. No exclusivity agreement. A certificate of approval holder may not make it a condition in selling malt liquor or wine to any wholesale licensee that the wholesale licensee may not sell malt liquor or wine manufactured or sold by other manufacturers or out-of-state wholesalers. [PL 2021, c. 658, §227 (AMD).]
28-A M.R.S. § 1065 — ME Code / Title 28-A / Part 3 / Chapter 43 / Section 1065
28-A §1065. Class A lounges
Status: in_force

1. Issuance of licenses. The bureau may issue licenses under this section for the sale of spirits, wine and malt liquor to be consumed on the premises to Class A lounges as defined in section 2, subsection 15, paragraph L . [PL 1997, c. 373, §90 (AMD).]

2. Food availability. [PL 2023, c. 44, §22 (RP).]

3. Income from the sale of food requirement. [PL 1993, c. 730, §43 (RP).]

4. Minors not allowed on premises. Minors are not permitted to remain on the premises of a licensed Class A lounge except when: A. The minor is accompanied by a parent, legal guardian or custodian, as defined in Title 22, section 4002 ; or [PL 2021, c. 658, §183 (AMD).] B. The licensee does not permit consumption of liquor on the premises for a specific period of time or event. [PL 2003, c. 493, §12 (AMD); PL 2003, c. 493, §14 (AFF).] C. [PL 2003, c. 493, §12 (RP); PL 2003, c. 493, §14 (AFF).] [PL 2021, c. 658, §183 (AMD).]

5. Licensed by Department of Health and Human Services. All Class A lounges must be licensed by the Department of Health and Human Services. [PL 1987, c. 45, Pt. A, §4 (NEW); PL 2003, c. 689, Pt. B, §6 (REV).]

6. Written evaluation. [PL 1987, c. 342, §91 (RP).]

7. Sunset. [PL 1987, c. 342, §91 (RP).]
28-A M.R.S. § 754 — ME Code / Title 28-A / Part 3 / Chapter 31 / Section 754
28-A §754. Records open for inspection
Status: in_force

1. Records open for inspection. All records required to be kept under this chapter are open for inspection to the bureau or its representatives at any time. The bureau or its representatives may make copies of records that may be used as evidence of violation of this chapter. [PL 2013, c. 588, Pt. B, §4 (AMD).]

2. Refusal of access. A licensee may not refuse to allow the bureau or its representatives to audit the books and records of the licensee. [PL 2013, c. 588, Pt. B, §4 (AMD).]
28-B M.R.S. § 508 — ME Code / Title 28-B / Chapter 1 / Section 508
28-B §508. Use of cannabis and cannabis products within licensed premises
Status: in_force

1. Employee use of cannabis or cannabis products for medical use. A licensee may allow an employee who is a qualifying patient pursuant to the Maine Medical Use of Cannabis Act to privately consume cannabis and cannabis products for medical use within its licensed premises. [PL 2023, c. 679, Pt. B, §107 (AMD).]

2. Employee use of adult use cannabis or adult use cannabis products. Except as otherwise provided in this chapter, a licensee may not allow an employee to consume adult use cannabis or adult use cannabis products within its licensed premises or while the employee is otherwise engaged in activities within the course and scope of employment. [PL 2017, c. 409, Pt. A, §6 (NEW); PL 2021, c. 669, §5 (REV).]

3. Other use of adult use cannabis or adult use cannabis products. Except as otherwise provided in this chapter: A. A person may not consume adult use cannabis or adult use cannabis products within the licensed premises of a cannabis establishment; and [PL 2017, c. 409, Pt. A, §6 (NEW); PL 2021, c. 669, §5 (REV).] B. A licensee may not allow any person to consume adult use cannabis or adult use cannabis products within its licensed premises. [PL 2017, c. 409, Pt. A, §6 (NEW); PL 2021, c. 669, §5 (REV).] [PL 2017, c. 409, Pt. A, §6 (NEW); PL 2021, c. 669, §5 (REV).]
28-A M.R.S. § 806 — ME Code / Title 28-A / Part 3 / Chapter 33 / Section 806
28-A §806. Records
Status: in_force

1. Limitation on maintenance of records. Except as provided in subsection 2 , the bureau shall maintain a record of each violation, revocation or suspension for not more than 5 years. [PL 1997, c. 373, §83 (AMD).]

2. Records of Class A, B and C convictions. The bureau shall maintain records of convictions for Class A, B and C crimes for at least 5 years, and may maintain them longer according to the policy of the bureau. [PL 1997, c. 373, §83 (AMD).]

3. Notice of violators. The District Court clerk shall provide the bureau with the names and dates of final adjudication of all persons found in violation of this Title or the rules of the bureau. [PL 1997, c. 373, §83 (AMD); PL 1999, c. 547, Pt. B, §78 (AMD); PL 1999, c. 547, Pt. B, §80 (AFF).]
28-A M.R.S. § 13 — ME Code / Title 28-A / Part 1 / Chapter 1 / Section 13
28-A §13. Low-alcohol spirits products sold by malt liquor or wine licensees
Status: in_force

1. Retail sales. Notwithstanding any provision of this Title to the contrary, a person licensed to sell malt liquor or wine for on-premises or off-premises consumption may also sell low-alcohol spirits products. All provisions of this Title applicable to wine, except chapters 65 and 67 , apply to low-alcohol spirits products when sold by persons licensed to sell wine for on-premises or off-premises consumption. [PL 2025, c. 230, Pt. A, §5 (AMD).]

2. Wholesale sales. Notwithstanding any provision of this Title to the contrary, a person licensed under section 1401 as an in-state wholesaler of malt liquor or wine may also sell and distribute low-alcohol spirits products. [PL 2025, c. 230, Pt. A, §5 (AMD).]
28-A M.R.S. § 2073 — ME Code / Title 28-A / Part 6 / Chapter 83 / Section 2073
28-A §2073. In-state transportation of liquor for illegal sale
Status: in_force

1. In-state transportation of liquor for illegal sale prohibited. A person may not knowingly transport within the State any liquor: A. With intent to sell the liquor in the State in violation of law; [PL 1987, c. 45, Pt. A, §4 (NEW).] B. With intent that the liquor be illegally sold by any person; or [PL 1987, c. 45, Pt. A, §4 (NEW).] C. With intent to aid any person in illegal sale of liquor. [PL 1987, c. 45, Pt. A, §4 (NEW).] [PL 2021, c. 658, §266 (AMD).]

2. Penalties. A person who violates this section commits a Class E crime. [PL 2021, c. 658, §266 (AMD).]

3. Legal importation into and transportation of liquor within the State. [PL 2021, c. 658, §266 (RP).]
28-A M.R.S. § 2503 — ME Code / Title 28-A / Part 8 / Chapter 100 / Section 2503
28-A §2503. Definitions
Status: in_force

As used in this chapter, unless the context indicates otherwise, the following terms have the following meanings. [PL 1987, c. 45, Pt. A, §4 (NEW).]

1. Intoxicated individual. "Intoxicated individual" means an individual who is in a state of intoxication as defined by this Act. [PL 1987, c. 45, Pt. A, §4 (NEW).]

2. Intoxication. "Intoxication" means a substantial impairment of an individual's mental or physical faculties as a result of drug or liquor use. [PL 1987, c. 45, Pt. A, §4 (NEW).]

3. Licensee. Notwithstanding section 2, subsection 14 , "licensee" means any person to whom a license of any kind is issued by the bureau and any person who is required to be licensed to serve liquor. [PL 2005, c. 539, §11 (AMD).]

4. Nonlicensee. "Nonlicensee" means any person who is neither a licensee nor an employee or agent of a licensee and is not required to be licensed under this Title. [PL 1987, c. 45, Pt. A, §4 (NEW).]

5. Server. "Server" means a person who sells, gives or otherwise provides liquor to an individual. [PL 1987, c. 45, Pt. A, §4 (NEW).]

6. Service of liquor. "Service of liquor" means any sale, gift or other furnishing of liquor. [PL 1987, c. 45, Pt. A, §4 (NEW).]

7. Visibly intoxicated. "Visibly intoxicated" means a state of intoxication accompanied by a perceptible act, a series of acts or the appearance of an individual which clearly demonstrates a state of intoxication. [PL 1987, c. 45, Pt. A, §4 (NEW).]
28-B M.R.S. § 105 — ME Code / Title 28-B / Chapter 1 / Section 105
28-B §105. Tracking system
Status: in_force

The office shall implement and administer a system, referred to in this section as "the tracking system," for the tracking of cannabis plants, adult use cannabis and adult use cannabis products from immature cannabis plant to the point of retail sale, return, disposal or destruction. The tracking system must allow for cannabis plants at the stage of cultivation and upon transfer from the stage of cultivation to another licensee to be tracked by group. The office may implement a tracking system that allows adult use cannabis or adult use cannabis products to be tracked by group. [PL 2023, c. 679, Pt. B, §8 (AMD).]

The office shall ensure that the system implemented and administered under this section, whether tracking individually or by group, maintains a detailed record at every stage from immature cannabis plant to the point of retail sale, return, disposal or destruction. [PL 2023, c. 679, Pt. B, §9 (AMD).]

1. Data submission requirements. The tracking system must allow licensees to submit tracking data for adult use cannabis or adult use cannabis products to the office. The tracking system must permit licensees to submit all required tracking data through manual data entry or through the use of software that connects to the tracking system maintained by the office through an application program interface, including without limitation point-of-sale system software. Nothing in this subsection may be construed to permit the submission of required tracking data using an application program interface that cannot transmit all required data to the tracking system required by the office. [PL 2023, c. 679, Pt. B, §10 (RPR).]

1-A. Group tracking. Cannabis plants at the same stage of growth that are of the same varietal or cultivar of the plant genus Cannabis may be tracked by group if they: A. Are planted in the same specific area at the same time; [PL 2021, c. 628, §1 (NEW).] B. Are transplanted to the same specific area at the same time; or [PL 2021, c. 628, §1 (NEW).] C. Include cannabis plants that were planted in a specific area and cannabis plants that were transplanted to the same specific area. [PL 2021, c. 628, §1 (NEW); PL 2021, c. 669, §5 (REV).] For cannabis plants that are tracked as a group, a licensee shall designate the square footage of the specific area in which the plants are planted or transplanted. Cannabis plants may not be tracked as a group unless they are intended for harvest as a group. [RR 2021, c. 2, Pt. A, §106 (COR).]

1-B. Tagging. A licensee shall affix a tag containing the identifying information required by the office under this chapter or rule adopted pursuant to this chapter to each group of cannabis plants tracked under this section. The office may not require cannabis plants that are being tracked as a group to be individually affixed with a tag during cultivation or transfer to another licensee. [PL 2023, c. 679, Pt. B, §11 (AMD).]

1-C. Group transfers. When a group of cannabis plants tracked under this section is transferred to another licensee, the licensee transferring the group of cannabis plants must provide a manifest that lists every cannabis plant within the group and any other relevant information required by the office by rule. [PL 2023, c. 679, Pt. B, §12 (AMD).]

2. Rules. The office shall adopt rules regarding the implementation and administration of the tracking system and tracking requirements for licensees. Rules adopted under this section must include, but are not limited to, the following: A. Record-keeping requirements for the tracking of cannabis plants when tracked individually and when tracked by group; and [PL 2021, c. 628, §1 (NEW); PL 2021, c. 669, §5 (REV).] B. Record-keeping requirements necessary to ensure the office's ability to implement a recall for reasons related to health and safety when tracking cannabis plants individually or by group. [PL 2023, c. 679, Pt. B, §13 (AMD).] [PL 2023, c. 679, Pt. B, §13 (AMD).]
28-A M.R.S. § 755 — ME Code / Title 28-A / Part 3 / Chapter 31 / Section 755
28-A §755. Records confidential
Status: in_force

Except for on-premises spirits sales data required to be reported by reselling agents in accordance with section 453-C, subsection 4 , all business and financial records of licensees are confidential. [PL 2015, c. 430, §6 (AMD).]
28-A M.R.S. § 2073-B — ME Code / Title 28-A / Part 6 / Chapter 83 / Section 2073-B
28-A §2073-B. In-state transportation of spirits
Status: in_force

1. Prohibition. Except as provided in subsection 2 , section 1201‑A or section 2073‑E , a person may not transport more than 4 liters of spirits within the State unless the spirits were legally purchased from: A. An agency liquor store; or [PL 2021, c. 658, §268 (NEW).] B. An in-state manufacturer authorized under section 1355‑A to sell spirits for off-premises consumption. [PL 2021, c. 658, §268 (NEW).] [PL 2021, c. 658, §268 (NEW).]

2. Exceptions. Notwithstanding subsection 1 , a person may transport spirits within the State in the following circumstances. A. An individual may transport spirits within the State in accordance with a permit issued under section 2073‑A, subsection 2, paragraph B . [RR 2021, c. 2, Pt. A, §102 (COR).] B. A person may transport spirits the person transported into the State pursuant to section 2073‑A, subsection 2, paragraph C to: (1) A warehouse designated by the commission under section 81 ; (2) A bottler or rectifier licensed under section 1355‑A ; (3) A winery, small winery or tenant winery licensed under section 1355‑A , for the production of fortified wine; or (4) A brewery, small brewery or tenant brewery licensed under section 1355‑A , for the production of low-alcohol spirits products containing malt liquor. [PL 2021, c. 658, §268 (NEW).] C. A licensed in-state manufacturer of spirits may transport spirits produced by the manufacturer or may cause a common carrier or contract carrier authorized by the Department of Public Safety to transport spirits produced by the manufacturer to: (1) A warehouse designated by the commission under section 81 ; (2) A bottler or rectifier licensed under section 1355‑A ; (3) A winery, small winery or tenant winery licensed under section 1355‑A , for the production of fortified wine; (4) A brewery, small brewery or tenant brewery licensed under section 1355‑A , for the production of low-alcohol spirits products containing malt liquor; (5) Any location to which the licensed in-state manufacturer of spirits is authorized to transport its own products under section 1355‑A ; or (6) The state line for transportation outside the State. [PL 2021, c. 658, §268 (NEW).] D. The wholesale spirits provider may transport spirits between warehouses designated by the commission under section 81 or to agency liquor stores as provided in section 503 . [PL 2021, c. 658, §268 (NEW).] E. A reselling agent may transport spirits to on-premises retail licensees as provided in section 459 . [PL 2021, c. 658, §268 (NEW).] Each shipment of spirits transported within the State in accordance with paragraph B , C , D or E must be accompanied by an invoice that includes the purchase number and the names of the sender and intended recipient of the spirits. [RR 2021, c. 2, Pt. A, §102 (COR).]

3. Penalties. The following penalties apply to violations of this section. A. A person that transports within the State a quantity of less than 40 liters of spirits in violation of this section commits a civil violation for which a fine of not more than $500 may be adjudged. [PL 2021, c. 658, §268 (NEW).] B. A person that transports within the State a quantity of 40 or more liters of spirits in violation of this section commits a Class E crime, which is a strict liability crime as defined in Title 17‑A, section 34, subsection 4‑A . [PL 2021, c. 658, §268 (NEW).] [PL 2021, c. 658, §268 (NEW).]

4. Evidence. The possession of more than 8 liters of spirits in one or more containers that are not labeled in accordance with Title 38, section 3105 is prima facie evidence of a violation of this section. [PL 2021, c. 658, §268 (NEW).]

5. Forfeiture. Notwithstanding section 2221‑A , a court shall order spirits transported within the State in violation of this section to be forfeited to the State and disposed of as provided in section 2229 : A. If a person fails to appear in court either in person or by counsel on the date and time specified in response to a Uniform Summons and Complaint issued for a violation of this section; or [PL 2021, c. 658, §268 (NEW).] B. As part of every adjudication and imposition of a fine under subsection 3, paragraph A and every conviction under subsection 3, paragraph B . [PL 2021, c. 658, §268 (NEW).] [PL 2021, c. 658, §268 (NEW).]