The Maine Office of Cannabis Policy will be distributing 12,000 lockable cannabis storage bags to retailers and public health advocates to be handed to consumers this fall.

The office announced the plan, which is part of its Safe Storage for ME program, on Monday. The state distributed 5,000 lockable bags to over 220 medical and adult-use retailers as part of the pilot program in 2024.

The 12,000 bags this year will be distributed to 140 retailers as well as advocates in all nine of the state’s Public Health Districts. Medical cannabis patients over the age of 18 and recreational users over the age of 21 are eligible to receive one free bag while supplies last.

“The first iteration of OCP’s Safe Storage for ME program was very well received with positive feedback from patients, consumers, and businesses alike,” John Hudak, director of the office, said 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.”

The bags will become available on a rolling basis beginning in early September to participating retailers in Penobscot, Piscataquis, Kennebec and Somerset counties and become available throughout the state by early November, according to the program’s webpage.

The 140 participating retailers include 13 in Portland; nine each of Bangor and Lewiston-Auburn (six in Auburn, three in Lewiston); and six in Augusta. A full list of participating retailers can be found on the office’s webpage.

The office advises that cannabis, like all age-restricted and prescription products, should be locked and stored out of reach and sight of children and pets.