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W W W. M A I N E B I Z . B I Z 31 A P R I L 2 9 , 2 0 1 9 25 C A N N A B I S that year. A total of eight states and the District of Columbia now have such laws, and medical cannabis is permitted in 28 states, including all of the Northeast. More than a dozen licensed stores sell pot for general adult use in Massachusetts. "Mainers are working in the Massachusetts cannabis industry rather than Maine's," Boyer says. "I imagine they'd rather be here." Still, Boyer and Rosi remain opti- mistic about the future of Maine's industry, which has been estimated to hold the potential for $325 million in annual sales. Since the start of Gov. Janet Mills' administration in January, Rosi says, "there's a momentum we haven't seen in a while." Despite confusion over the chang- ing consultants, the administration has created an Office of Marijuana Policy to manage the recreational market. Rosi believes that could happen by early 2020. With 80 employees and dispensaries in Bath, Brewer, Gardiner and Portland, Wellness Connection is poised to enter the market. But don't expect any dra- matic changes in the way the company does business, says Rosi. "We view this as a chance to broaden access. Society tends to consider (medi- cal and recreational) cannabis users as two distinct populations, but there's really a spectrum of consumers," she says. "For us, it's about improving the quality of life, and we're not going to change that." Boyer, who has been hosting can- nabis industry mixers in Portland for the past several months, is especially bullish on the opportunities for small business and with the tourist market. "With the way the law is set up, and the way Maine is perceived, the can- nabis industry lends itself to our small businesses," he says. "is is a special moment in time, when we Mainers have a chance to create a new, legal industry from the ground up." William Hall, a Mainebiz correspondent, can be reached at editorial @ mainebiz.biz A Different Way of Looking at Things In business, you have a lot to keep your eye on. Sometimes it's hard to see the opportunities and the risks clearly. That's where Drummond Woodsum can help. We use a team approach – a small group of highly specialized attorneys focused on helping your business see what's ahead before you take that next step. It's extremely efficient and cost-effective, and an excellent way to get the legal insight you need when you need it. We practice law differently. Since 1965. dwmlaw.com | 800.727.1941 Rick Tardiff President & CEO, J.S. McCARTHY PRINTERS " FAME works to spread out risk, allowing Maine businesses to fi nance deals that may not happen otherwise. It was diffi cult for us to secure traditional fi nancing because we were buying a larger company. FAME helped us put together the acquisition, and now we're recognized as one of the top 200 printing companies in the U.S." Congratulations to Mainebiz on 25 Years! WE HELP YOU GET TO WE HELP YOU GET TO yes ! Helping Maine Businesses Succeed Since 1983 1-800-228-3734 • FAMEmaine.com Best Places to Work in Maine 2015, 2016, 2017, 2018 Mainers are working in the Massachusetts cannabis industry rather than Maine's. I imagine they'd rather be here. — David Boyer Maine political director, Marijuana Policy Project

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