AUGUSTA – PRESS RELEASE – The Maine Office of Cannabis Policy (OCP) today announced the formation of the Metrc User Workgroup, an 18-member panel tasked with review of the state’s existing, cloud-based tracking software, and with recommending improvements that will make the process of tracking cannabis products more efficient for Maine’s adult-use market.

“Effective inventory tracking is the hallmark of a well-regulated cannabis market,” said OCP Director Erik Gundersen. “We know that the rollout of Maine’s adult-use program has been a success, but we have to keep working to improve it all the time. We are grateful for the leadership and participation of this experienced group of invested stakeholders.”

The members of the Workgroup, along with their Track and Trace Administrators, represent all sectors of the Adult Use Cannabis Program in Maine, and offer a diversity of backgrounds, geography, and type of licensee:

Zach Allen, Cultivation, Nova Farms Eddie Benjamin, Vertically Integrated, Theory Wellness Genevieve Bickford, Vertically Integrated, NPG/Wellness Peter Franklin, Retail, Maine Plant-Based Therapy Elliot Lee, Manufacturing, East Coast Cannabis Alison Miller, Manufacturing, The Hashery Rebecca O'Connor, Vertically Integrated, Rugged Roots, Coast to Coast, Sinsemilla Ryan Parker, Cultivation, Stoner & Co. Hilary Reeder, Vertically Integrated, Highbrow Justice Rines, Vertically Integrated, Sweet Dirt Steve Rusnack, Manufacturing, Full Bloom Mitchel Samuelson, Cultivation, Seed and Soil Keri-Jon Wilson, Manufacturing, Pot and Pan Jake Wisdom, Vertically Integrated, Blue Sky & Kender Farms 

Additional members include organizations’ track-and-trace administrators, in addition to the principals above:

Jake Daku, Vertically Integrated, Blue Sky & Kender Farms J. Matthew Judge, PhD., Cultivation, Theory Wellness Rebecca Matz, Cultivation, Stoner & Co.   Kristin McIntyre, Vertically Integrated, NPG/Wellness

“We recognize both the importance of the data and safeguards Metrc provides,” continued Gundersen. “But it’s important to present a product and workflow that works for everyone involved in ensuring a bright future for Maine’s cannabis businesses. We look forward to engaging in an honest dialogue with these representatives to better understand how we can strike that balance.”

The Workgroup will meet three times between August and November 2022, with a formal report and recommendations produced by OCP to the Veterans and Legal Affairs Joint Standing Subcommittee by Jan. 1, 2023.  Meeting materials, YouTube streaming links, and other information may be viewed at the OCP's Metrc User Workgroup webpage.