On the panel

MODERATOR: Penelope Overton, staff reporter

Catherine Lewis, chair of the board, Medical Marijuana Caregivers of Maine

Medical Marijuana Caregivers of Maine is a trade association that works on behalf of the state’s 3,000 caregivers registered to grow and sell marijuana to qualified medical patients. She teaches introductory caregiver classes there. She and her husband, Glenn, are medical marijuana patients and registered caregivers who operate Homegrown Healthcare of Maine LLC, which specializes in using cannabis to help those with cancer, post-traumatic stress disorder and pain. She also runs her own small business consulting firm, Business Solutions of Maine LLC, where she provides payroll and insurance services and helps with new business start-ups.

Patricia Rosi, CEO, Wellness Connection of Maine

As the state’s largest group of medical marijuana dispensaries. Wellness Connection operates four state-licensed dispensaries, a commercial kitchen and one cultivation facility. In 2011, Rosi joined the Board of Directors. From there, she advanced to VP of marketing, Chief Operating Officer and finally to her current position as CEO. In five years under her leadership, Wellness has grown to 80 employees, increased its member base to nearly 10,000 and expanded all business lines, now offering over 30 strains of cannabis and 60 value-added products, like tinctures and edibles.

Eric Brakey, Republican senator from District 20 (Auburn, New Gloucester, Poland, Minot and Mechanic Falls)

Elected in 2014, Brakey is the Senate chairman of the Health and Human Services Committee, which oversees the state’s medical use of marijuana program. Just this month, the committee approved a bill to overhaul the program, including elimination of the list of qualifying conditions, the 5-patient cap on caregivers and the 8-license cap on dispensaries. He was a vocal supporter of Question 1: Regulate and Tax Marijuana. He is running for U.S. Senate.