THC. The concern of about increased THC in the blood of newborns and adolescents and impact on brain development is a significant concern that is not getting much attention. As the parent of a special needs child whose brain growth and cognitive capabilities were growth retarded in utero, I can personally relate to the impact that associated developmental delays can have on a family and service providers. As a small community Town Manager I know the costs and tax consequences of providing a free public education to meet the needs of the same developmental delays that can challenge the education system. I mentioned earlier that our town will be considering the prohibition ordinance. Prohibition is not a desired solution. Until and unless effective regulation is adopted to address elevated THC cannabis products our Town cannot support permitting the retail and commercial production and sale of recreational marijuana. The primary reason is that the provision and response for support services and the delivery of services by all Maine public governmental, quasi-governmental and private sector entities that will be called upon to deal with the aftermath of high THC product use and abuse is too great a burden for the State of Maine if the same thing happens in Maine as it is now occurring in the State of Colorado. So how do you regulate these products? To answer that question, after consulting with others in the business and familiar with the Maine Marijuana Legalization Act (MLA) I offer the following to consider below: All applicants must be inspected prior to issuance of a license to ensure there is no cultivation activity prior to authorization. All sales require testing by a Department-approved laboratory certified in accordance to rules adopted by the Department in line with nationally accepted standards- these don't exist as of today which is one major reason why this state needs to slow down.
THC. The concern of about increased THC in the blood of newborns and adolescents and impact on brain development is a significant concern that is not getting much attention. As the parent of a special needs child whose brain growth and cognitive capabilities were growth retarded in utero, I can personally relate to the impact that associated developmental delays can have on a family and service providers. As a small community Town Manager I know the costs and tax consequences of providing a free public education to meet the needs of the same developmental delays that can challenge the education system. I mentioned earlier that our town will be considering the prohibition ordinance. Prohibition is not a desired solution. Until and unless effective regulation is adopted to address elevated THC cannabis products our Town cannot support permitting the retail and commercial production and sale of recreational marijuana. The primary reason is that the provision and response for support services and the delivery of services by all Maine public governmental, quasi-governmental and private sector entities that will be called upon to deal with the aftermath of high THC product use and abuse is too great a burden for the State of Maine if the same thing happens in Maine as it is now occurring in the State of Colorado. So how do you regulate these products? To answer that question, after consulting with others in the business and familiar with the Maine Marijuana Legalization Act (MLA) I offer the following to consider below: All applicants must be inspected prior to issuance of a license to ensure there is no cultivation activity prior to authorization. All sales require testing by a Department-approved laboratory certified in accordance to rules adopted by the Department in line with nationally accepted standards- these don't exist as of today which is one major reason why this state needs to slow down.
mj_testimony.docx