Maine Lawmakers to Investigate Potential Conflict of Interest in Cannabis Policy
The Maine Government Oversight Committee has decided to investigate a potential conflict of interest involving John Hudak, the director of the Maine Office of Cannabis Policy. The decision came after Rep. David Boyer (R-Poland) raised concerns about the issue during a meeting on Friday.
The committee also agreed to look into other areas of cannabis policy, including the failure of the Maine Department of Administrative and Financial Services to present a statutorily required report to the Veterans and Legal Affairs Committee earlier this year. However, some members felt that this issue was more suitable for the policy committee to handle.
Additionally, the committee decided to ask the Office of Program Evaluation and Government Accountability (OPEGA) to investigate illicit cannabis operations in the state. However, there was a sentiment among members that this issue would be more appropriate for law enforcement to handle.
The committee’s decision to investigate the potential conflict of interest and other areas of cannabis policy comes after a long period of focus on the state’s child welfare system. The committee’s work on this issue resulted in over two dozen suggested reforms for the Office of Child and Family Services.
The committee’s next steps on the cannabis policy investigation are still unclear, but it is expected to hold a public hearing to gather more information and hear from hospital staff at two psychiatric centers in the state.
