Maine to roll out thousands of lockable cannabis storage bags

Maine Office of Cannabis Policy to Distribute 12,000 Lockable Storage Bags this Fall

The Maine Office of Cannabis Policy (OCP) announced Monday that it will hand out 12,000 lockable storage bags to cannabis retailers and public‑health advocates this fall. The move is part of the agency’s “Safe Storage for ME” initiative, which aims to keep cannabis products out of reach of children and pets.

What the program offers

Under the plan, any medical‑cannabis patient over 18 or recreational user over 21 will receive one free lock‑able bag at participating stores, while supplies last. The bags will be available on a rolling basis beginning in early September to retailers in Penobscot, Piscataquis, Kennebec, and Somerset counties, with full statewide distribution expected by early November.

The OCP will partner with 140 retailers across all nine of Maine’s public‑health districts. In Portland alone, 13 shops will participate; Bangor and Lewiston‑Auburn each host nine—six in Auburn and three in Lewiston—and Augusta will see six participating stores. A complete list of retailers is posted on the OCP website.

A look back at last year

In 2024, the agency distributed 5,000 lock‑able bags to more than 220 medical and adult‑use retailers as part of a pilot program. “The first iteration of OCP’s Safe Storage for ME program was very well received with positive feedback from patients, consumers, and businesses alike,” said John Hudak, OCP director, in a news release. “OCP is pleased to help meet the continued demand for these bags so that cannabis products stay out of reach and out of sight from young people and pets.”

Why it matters

The OCP stresses that cannabis, like all age‑restricted and prescription products, should be stored locked and out of sight of children and pets. The agency’s goal is to encourage responsible consumption and reduce accidental ingestion among minors and animals.

How to get a bag

Retailers will receive the bags on a first‑come, first‑served basis. Once in stock, shoppers can request a bag when purchasing cannabis products. The program will also make bags available to public‑health advocates, who can distribute them to patients and consumers as needed.

Maine’s initiative follows a national trend of state‑run safe‑storage programs, which have been linked to lower rates of accidental poisonings among children. For now, Maine’s 12,000 new bags provide a tangible step toward safer cannabis use across the state.