Old Orchard Beach voters approve marijuana retail zoning referendum

OLD ORCHARD BEACH – Voters Tuesday overwhelmingly approved a controversial referendum question that will limit the size and scope of any retail marijuana store in town.

According to Town Clerk Kim McLaughlin, voting at the high school was steady throughout the day, despite poor weather. “Typically, we get around 500 voters during a June election, but I think there was a lot of interest in this year’s referendum question,” she said shortly before the polls closed.

The final tally showed that referendum supporters outpaced opponents by a clear margin, 805-354. Voters also voted to approve this year’s $16.8 million school budget, 942-216.

Thomas Mourmouras is the manager of Beach Boys Cannabis, a medical cannabis dispensary located on Saco Avenue. Mourmouras was the primary person who circulated a petition late last year to require a referendum question on the issue. He is also one of three applicants who are hoping to get the town’s one license for a retail store.

Members of the Mourmouras family erupted in cheers once the final vote tallies were announced. “Finally, justice has prevailed,” said Peter Mourmouras as he was leaving the high school after the vote.

None of the other applicants were seen at the polling place on Tuesday.

Town Councilor Larry Mead has been an outspoken critic of both the referendum and those who the petitions last year. Mead publicly urged voters to reject the referendum in the days leading up to Tuesday’s vote.

“The YES side did an effective job of messaging from the beginning of this campaign,” Mead said. “I’m not surprised by the results but I am disappointed.”

According to town records, there are 6,917 registered voters living in Old Orchard Beach. Fewer than 20 percent of those voters participated in the June election.

Randy Seaver can be contacted at randy@randyseaver.com.