An Act To Establish a Data Collection Program To Monitor Effects of Marijuana Regulation
Maine Legislature, Session 128, LD 0627
Committee: Marijuana Legalization Implementation
Sponsors: HANDY, GATTINE, PERRY, RECKITT, TUELL
Amends: 7 MRSA §2455

Legislative Document
No. 627
H.P. 443
House of Representatives, February 16, 2017
An Act To Establish a Data Collection Program To Monitor Effects 
of Marijuana Regulation
(EMERGENCY)
Reference to the Joint Select Committee on Marijuana Legalization Implementation 
suggested and ordered printed.
ROBERT B. HUNT
Clerk
Presented by Representative HANDY of Lewiston.
Cosponsored by Representatives: GATTINE of Westbrook, PERRY of Calais, RECKITT of 
South Portland, TUELL of East Machias.
Emergency preamble. Whereas, acts and resolves of the Legislature do not 
become effective until 90 days after adjournment unless enacted as emergencies; and 
Whereas, this legislation needs to take effect before the expiration of the 90-day 
period due to the passage of Initiated Bill 2015, chapter 5, which legalized the 
recreational use of marijuana effective January 30, 2017; and 
Whereas, in the judgment of the Legislature, these facts create an emergency within 
the meaning of the Constitution of Maine and require the following legislation as 
immediately necessary for the preservation of the public peace, health and safety; now, 
therefore, 
Be it enacted by the People of the State of Maine as follows: 
Sec. 1.  7 MRSA §2455 is enacted to read: 
§2455.  Retail marijuana data collection and monitoring program 
A program to collect data for the purpose of monitoring the effect on the State from 
the legalization and regulation of retail marijuana is established in the Department of 
Health and Human Services, Maine Center for Disease Control and Prevention.  The 
Maine Center for Disease Control and Prevention shall convene a task force of volunteer 
experts with varied areas of expertise to identify data collection measures, data sources 
and protocols for data gathering and reporting for the program.  Data must be collected 
from a variety of sources covering a variety of sectors, including, but not limited to, 
public safety, road safety, public health, economic effects and effects on youth, the 
workplace and treatment and health care systems.  The program shall publish reports at 
least on an annual basis for the purpose of providing this data to the Legislature, the 
Governor's Office and appropriate departments overseeing the implementation of the 
retail marijuana laws.  This data must be used to inform needed adjustments, law changes 
and rule changes to minimize the financial and social costs to the people of this State. 
Sec. 2.  Appropriations and allocations.  The following appropriations and 
allocations are made. 
HEALTH AND HUMAN SERVICES, DEPARTMENT OF (FORMERLY DHS) 
Maine Center for Disease Control and Prevention 0143 
Initiative: Provides funding to establish a Public Service Coordinator II position to 
develop and implement a data collection and monitoring program for the utilization and 
regulation of retail marijuana. 
GENERAL FUND 
2017-18
2018-19
POSITIONS - LEGISLATIVE COUNT 
1.000
1.000
Personal Services 
$107,822
$104,627
All Other 
$6,278
$6,278
Emergency clause.  In view of the emergency cited in the preamble, this 
legislation takes effect when approved. 
SUMMARY 
This bill establishes a program in the Department of Health and Human Services, 
Maine Center for Disease Control and Prevention to collect data for the purpose of 
monitoring the effect on the State from the legalization and regulation of retail marijuana.  
Reports must be published at least annually to provide data to the Legislature, the 
Governor's Office and appropriate state government departments overseeing the 
implementation of the retail marijuana laws to be used to inform needed adjustments, law 
changes and rule changes to minimize the financial and social costs to the people of this 
State. 
GENERAL FUND TOTAL 
$114,100
$110,905