OMP Update 3 November 2020: All the latest from Maine’s cannabis world

Cannabis businesses can access the program by directly purchasing pre-discounted equipment, such as heating, ventilation, and air conditioning (HVAC) systems and lighting commonly used in conventional commercial or industrial settings. More complex projects commonly found in cannabis cultivation operations must go through EM’s custom program, where EM staff will provide a rebate based on their assessment of the project’s overall benefits and project viability.

Custom program customers can receive 50 percent of the total cost for equipment replacement projects or 75 percent of the incremental cost between a basic project and a more efficient one. Equipment eligible for a rebate can include a range of energy-saving technologies, including horticultural lighting, HVAC, lighting and HVAC controls, and onsite power generation. The custom program maxes out at $1 million per project, which should satisfy all but the most ambitious cannabis projects.

For more information, visit www.EfficiencyMaine.com or read this useful piece on EnlightenYourGrow.com from Climate Resources Group, a cannabis energy and sustainability firm.

Effective Wednesday, November 4, indoor gatherings will return to a maximum of 50 people, regardless of capacity. The gathering limit on outdoor activities remains at 100 people under existing guidelines, with physical distancing and the use of face coverings. Occupancy limits for retail establishments will remain at 5 people per 1,000 square feet of shopping space.

In other licensing news, on Friday, OMP also issued 22 conditional licenses to adult use facilities. These newly-licensed entities include 12 marijuana stores, five cultivation facilities, and five products manufacturing facilities.

Current license and applicant numbers are as follows:

• Active: 26
• Local Authorization: 44
• Conditional: 240
• Pending: 160

After nearly two months of issuing and announcing adult use active licenses on a rolling basis, OMP will transition to announcing active licenses in batches.