Licenses for recreational marijuana sales won't be ready in February

PORTLAND (AP) — Maine officials say the state will not be able to meet its deadline for the start of recreational marijuana sales.

Republican State Sen. Roger Katz tells the Portland Press Herald the agencies responsible for the recreational marijuana market rollout do not have the time before the February deadline for things such as licensing growers, writing departmental rules and hiring new inspectors.

Advocates for legalization say the delay “keeps the black market going.” President of Legalize Maine Paul McCarrier estimates the state will not be able to issue adult-use licenses until summer 2018.

Voters had approved marijuana legalization at referendum in November 2016.

Republican Gov. Paul LePage has previously said he wanted legalization repealed. A spokesman for the governor did not respond to requests for comment.