Maine is poised to be a leader in the recreational marijuana business because of its success with medical cannabis, the head of the state’s largest medical marijuana dispensary group said Wednesday.

Patricia Rosi, CEO of the Wellness Connection of Maine, said the state could benefit financially by allowing recreational marijuana sales and joining the country’s fastest growing industry, with an economic impact of $11.1 billion this year.

Rosi spoke about medical cannabis and marijuana legalization during the Portland Community Chamber of Commerce’s monthly Eggs & Issues event.

Two groups – Legalize Maine and the Campaign to Regulate Marijuana Like Alcohol – are collecting signatures to get separate legalization referendum questions on the November 2016 ballot. Both groups have developed plans that would allow adults 21 and older to buy and use recreational marijuana.

Maine is one of 34 states that allow some form of medical cannabis. Maine legalized medical uses in 1999, and the state’s first dispensaries opened in 2011. Last year, Maine’s program was voted the best medical marijuana program in the country by Americans for Safe Access, a national group that advocates for legal access to medical cannabis. [Read more at the Portland Press Herald]