Ahead of Election Day, coalition pushes for new marijuana regulations

Maine Professionals for Regulating Marijuana, a group of Maine business leaders and professionals, is pushing for better regulations of the state’s marijuana industry in anticipation of Question 1 on November’s ballot that could legalize recreational marijuana in the state.

The Maine Public Broadcasting Network reported that the group, whose ranks include accountants, realtors, marijuana dispensaries and attorneys, isn’t taking a stance on legalization efforts, but instead wants to have a better system in place for the potentially multimillion dollar industry.

Pete Dufour, a Portland-based accountant, told MPBN that one of the reasons he joined the group is that clients legally involved in the medical marijuana industry are struggling to find professional financial services.

“The state laws are pretty clear and people are still learning how they apply, but given the reluctance of the federal government to sanction many of the activities in the marijuana states, a lot of professional advisors are reluctant to get involved,” Dufour told MPBN.

In January the Maine Revenue Service reported that in 2015, the $23.6 million in sales at marijuana dispensaries generated $1.29 million in sales tax.

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