Old Orchard Beach residents to decide whether to allow recreational marijuana retailers

OLD ORCHARD BEACH — Residents will decide in November whether to allow recreational marijuana retailers in town.

In 2016, residents in the state of Maine voted to legalize marijuana. Since then, law makers have been working on regulations regarding retail establishments for recreational, or adult use. On Sept. 8, the state is going to issue the first active licenses to recreational cannabis businesses, and retail sales of recreational marijuana to those 21 and older will start on Oct. 9, according to a press release from the State Office of Marijuana Policy.

The town council on Tuesday unanimously approved a Nov. 3 town-wide vote asking residents whether the town should allow adult use marijuana retailers and issue a limited number of licenses for such retailers to operate.

“We want to bring this forward to get your pulse, your thoughts, as to whether or not this is something you would support in our town,” said Council Chairman Shawn O’Neill.

Councilor Kenneth Blow was in favor of a non-binding vote in November, but the council opted for a binding vote in November instead. He said he had been in favor of the non-binding vote to give the town time to create a well thought out zoning ordinance, should residents decide that they want to allow recreational marijuana stores in town.

O’Neill said he believed the Council that would be seated after the November election would not fast-track the creation zoning regulations, and would do due diligence, should residents vote to approve marijuana retailers.

A public hearing on the matter is scheduled for Oct. 6

Publisher Liz Gotthelf can be reached at [email protected].