The state of Maine (Gov. Mills) has announced that, effective January 2026, the state tax on cigars will increase from 42.5% to 75% while the state tax for marijuana will increase from 10% to 14% percent. In effect, the state of Maine has chosen to promote marijuana over cigars. This will ensure that Maine cigar prices are more than double those of our nearest neighbor, New Hampshire, which has no state taxes on cigars. Recreational use of marijuana is illegal in New Hampshire.

I assume this isn’t a public health decision but a financial decision. Marijuana is a psychoactive drug and federally illegal in all 50 states. The effects of marijuana are at least as dangerous as cigar smoking and this tips the scales in its favor. Mills personally may not like cigars but does that allow her to tip the scales in favor of marijuana? We have a severe drug problem in Maine and the perception for a large part of our population is that marijuana adds to this problem.

The reality is that this increase will effectively put us out of business. Over the past year we have paid several thousand dollars in state taxes and sales tax on cigars. This obviously doesn’t matter to Gov. Mills and I am sure there will be one more marijuana shop to take our place. We, in turn, will advise our customers to take their business across the border.

Jacques Devillier
Portland