Maine does not limit the number of available licenses at the state level. However, municipalities must proactively opt in to participate in the adult use sector within their jurisdiction.

Maine has a merit-based award system used to distribute adult use licenses.

Maine’s adult use framework disqualifies applicants for cannabis licensure on the basis of their conviction history. The department may not issue a license if an applicant has been convicted of a disqualifying drug offense. A Disqualifying drug offense is a conviction for a violation of a state or federal controlled substance law that is a crime punishable by imprisonment for one year or more. A disqualifying drug offense does not include an offense for which the sentence, including any term of probation, incarceration or supervised release, was completed 10 or more years prior to the submission of an application for a license under this Rule; or cannabis convictions related to conduct legalized under the act.

Within Maine’s adult use framework, cannabis employees must carry an individual identification card issued by the Department. Individuals must be denied employment if they have been convicted of a disqualifying drug offense. Disqualifying drug offenses include controlled substance convictions within the last ten years, but does not include cannabis convictions related to conduct legalized under the act.

The Department may deny an identification card to a person who has been convicted ​​of an offense involving dishonesty, deception, misappropriation or fraud.

Maine has no authority for sealing or expunging adult convictions.  There are no record cleaning options to expunge cannabis convictions for activity which is now legal under state law.