Maine’s legal cannabis programs prohibit individuals with “disqualifying drug offenses” from becoming licensed business operators in either the adult-use recreational program or the medicinal caregiver program.
But that Office of Cannabis Policy’s process for enforcing that rule came up short in the case of Daniel P. Safranec, 40, of Madison, who was arrested Thursday by the Somerset County Sheriff’s Department for illegally trafficking cannabis — even though he was licensed to do so through his Simple Twist Cannabis Company.
“I am astonished that the State of Maine would license an individual to sell marijuana with a federal felony conviction for marijuana cultivation,” said Somerset County Sheriff Dale Lancaster.
Under Maine’s Title 28-B §202, OCP is supposed to reject a license application from someone with a disqualifying drug conviction, such as a recent conviction for felony-level drug trafficking, manufacturing, or distribution offenses under laws like the federal Controlled Substances Act.
Detectives and deputies from the Somerset County Sheriff’s Office recently hit Simple Twist Cannabis Company on Lakewood Road and the East Madison Road residence.
The raids capped an investigation into claims that Safranec was illegally dealing and growing weed.
Investigators uncovered a massive stash: over 2,120 pounds of ready-to-sell marijuana, 159 blooming plants, piles of pot-infused goodies, more than $1,800 in cash, and incriminating documents, the sheriff’s office said.
Safranec was slapped with serious charges, including aggravated trafficking in scheduled drugs, a Class A felony, and aggravated cultivation of marijuana, a Class B felony.
The beefed-up counts stem from the sheer volume of drugs and his prior federal rap for pot growing, officials explained.
He forked over $10,000 in cash bail Thursday and walked free from Somerset County Jail, but with strict rules: no touching, using or slinging marijuana or related products, per court records.
Safranec is set to face a judge for his first court date on Nov. 5 at 8:30 a.m. in Somerset County Unified Criminal Court.
Prosecutors are eyeing more charges after reviewing the case, the sheriff’s office added.
Sheriff Lancaster blasted the setup, saying he was stunned Maine handed a sales license to someone with a federal felony for cultivating cannabis — a not so subtle shot at Maine’s Office of Cannabis Policy, which is supposed to vet applicants for the state’s cannabis programs.
In some cases, individuals can apply for exceptions to the rules barring ex-cons from operating marijuana businesses, and those exceptions are granted at the discretion of OCP.
A spokesperson from OCP did not respond to an email asking for comment on Safranec’s licensure.
