Resolve, to Establish the Task Force on Cannabis Hospitality Establishments
Maine Legislature, Session 131, LD 1446
Committee: Veterans and Legal Affairs
Sponsors: CHIPMAN, RISEMAN, BRENNER, COLLINGS, RUDNICKI, SUPICA

Legislative Document
No. 1446
S.P. 564
In Senate, March 30, 2023
Resolve, to Establish the Task Force on Cannabis Hospitality 
Establishments
Reference to the Committee on Veterans and Legal Affairs suggested and ordered printed.
DAREK M. GRANT
Secretary of the Senate
Presented by Senator CHIPMAN of Cumberland.
Cosponsored by Representative RISEMAN of Harrison and
Senator: BRENNER of Cumberland, Representatives: COLLINGS of Portland, RUDNICKI of 
Fairfield, SUPICA of Bangor.
Sec. 1.  Task force established.  Resolved:  That the Task Force on Cannabis 
Hospitality Establishments, referred to in this resolve as "the task force," is established.
Sec. 2.  Task force membership.  Resolved:  Notwithstanding Joint Rule 353, 
that the task force consists of 17 members appointed as follows:
1.  Four members of the Senate appointed by the President of the Senate, including 
members from each of the 2 parties holding the largest number of seats in the Legislature;
2.  Four members of the House of Representatives appointed by the Speaker of the 
House, including members from each of the 2 parties holding the largest number of seats 
in the Legislature;
3.  The following members appointed by the President of the Senate:
A. One supporter of the 2016 cannabis legalization ballot measure;
B. One expert on cannabis policy;
C. One expert on training for alcohol industry employees;
D. One member representing the interests of adult use cannabis consumers; and
E. One member representing the interests of municipal governments; and
4.  The following members appointed by the Speaker of the House:
A. One member representing the interests of adult use cannabis licensees;
B. One member representing the interests of the hospitality industry;
C. One member representing law enforcement; and
D.  One member representing public health.
Sec. 3.  Chairs.  Resolved:  That the first-named Senate member is the Senate chair 
and the first-named House of Representatives member is the House chair of the task force.
Sec. 4.  Appointments; convening of task force.  Resolved:  That all 
appointments must be made no later than 30 days following the effective date of this 
resolve.  The appointing authorities shall notify the Executive Director of the Legislative 
Council once all appointments have been completed.  After appointment of all members, 
the chairs shall call and convene the first meeting of the task force.  If 30 days or more after 
the effective date of this resolve a majority of but not all appointments have been made, the 
chairs may request authority and the Legislative Council may grant authority for the task 
force to meet and conduct its business.
Sec. 5.  Duties.  Resolved:  That the task force shall review how other states regulate 
cannabis hospitality establishments and draft recommendations for a bill to regulate 
cannabis hospitality establishments in this State. These recommendations must address 
issues including, but not limited to:
1.  Whether the State should issue a single cannabis hospitality establishment license 
or various license types for different business models;
2.  The qualifications for obtaining a cannabis hospitality establishment license and 
how applications will be reviewed;
3.  Ensuring compliance with existing cannabis laws and regulations, including 
identification requirements, seed-to-sale tracking and product recalls; 
4.  Purchase and consumption limitations for patrons;
5.  How different methods of consumption are to be regulated;
6.  What other products or services, including food or entertainment, may be offered at 
cannabis hospitality establishments;
7.  Preventing the consumption of alcohol and tobacco at cannabis hospitality 
establishments;
8.  Preventing overconsumption and operating under the influence;
9.  Preventing disturbances to neighboring businesses or residences;
10.  Exemptions from the laws relating to clean indoor air;
11.  Training for cannabis hospitality establishment employees; and
12.  Local control, including whether municipalities need to opt in or opt out of 
allowing cannabis hospitality establishments and how municipalities may regulate them.
Sec. 6.  Staff assistance.  Resolved:  That the Legislative Council shall provide 
necessary staffing services to the task force, except that Legislative Council staff support 
is not authorized when the Legislature is in regular or special session.
Sec. 7.  Report.  Resolved:  That, no later than December 6, 2023, the task force 
shall submit a report that includes its findings and recommendations, including suggested 
legislation, for presentation to the Joint Standing Committee on Veterans and Legal Affairs 
for the Second Regular Session of the 131st Legislature.
SUMMARY
This resolve establishes the Task Force on Cannabis Hospitality Establishments.  The 
task force is directed to submit a report and any suggested legislation to the Joint Standing 
Committee on Veterans and Legal Affairs by December 6, 2023.