Maine Legislators Consider Lifting Limits on Recreational Marijuana Grows – News

Now that Maine residents have approved recreational legalization in their state, it’s up to the Maine Legislature to set the rules for the new market. The newly passed Marijuana Legalization Act limits the amount of growing space for recreational weed to 800,000 square feet, or 18.4 acres. However, lawmakers are now debating whether lifting this cap would weaken the state’s marijuana black market or make it stronger.

Proponents of the cap believe that if cultivators overestimate demand and grow too much weed, they will be tempted to sell their overage to the black market. Supporters also believe that the cap will help stabilize prices, which will in turn attract more investors to cannabis startups. Placing a limit on the amount of marijuana grown may also help state regulators get a handle on enforcing the rules in the new market, a task which has been a challenge for many other canna-legal states.

Opponents of the bill argue that the cap will allow growers to keep prices consistently high, which will in turn encourage some smokers to frequent the black market to find cheaper prices. David Boyer, state political director for the Marijuana Policy Project, also believes…