John Hudak, director of Maine's Office of Cannabis Policy (OCP), revealed to state legislators that his office has issued marijuana cultivation licenses to individuals associated with transnational criminal organizations (TCOs). Speaking before the Veterans and Legal Affairs Committee on Wednesday, Hudak admitted his agency lacks the statutory authority to deny licenses even when applicants have ties to illicit operations.
"They're applying so they can have a 'Get Out of Jail Free' card, or what they perceive as a 'Get Out of Jail Free' card to continue to do the operations that they're doing," Hudak explained during the hearing.
Concerns over illegal cannabis cultivation tied to Asian TCOs, including groups with suspected links to China, have escalated following law enforcement raids on unlawful grow operations. These groups allegedly exploit Maine's medical marijuana licensing system to avoid legal scrutiny and maintain their operations under the guise of legitimacy.
During a June FBI budget hearing, Senator Susan Collins (R-ME) raised the issue of foreign criminal organizations with FBI Director Christopher Wray. The discussion came shortly after the Somerset County Sheriff's Office dismantled an illegal growing operation near a daycare, seizing 1,500 marijuana plants and over 30 pounds of processed cannabis.
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