FILE- In this May 10, 2017, file photo, Maine Gov. Paul LePage pauses during a meeting to discuss the state's efforts to fight the opioid epidemic at the State House in Augusta, Maine. LePage urged lawmakers on Sunday, July 2, to put aside “petty egos” and send him a budget as a legislative panel sought common ground on a proposal promoted by House Republicans who torpedoed the previous spending bill.

Recreational marijuana sales now legal in Maine, but dispensaries have no way to obtain licenses

AUGUSTA, Maine — Maine lawmakers are making it all but certain that retail pot sales approved by voters in 2016 will be pushed back again until next year.

A move to push back sales until this spring failed in the House on Thursday with opposition from both Republicans and some Democrats. Retail sales of recreational marijuana technically became legal in Maine Thursday, but marijuana retailers have no way to obtain a needed license.

Republican Gov. Paul LePage‘s administration says it has not started coming up with a licensing and regulatory framework as a legislative panel works on a comprehensive overhaul of the voter-approved law.


Op-ed: Maine’s governor wants to ignore the will of the voters. He’s not alone


The panel is aiming to soon finish such legislation.

It could then take at least nine months for Maine regulators to come up with rules needing legislative approval.