Ron Strider
Well-Known Member
A local businessman in the cannabis industry and two city councilors would like the city to review a proposed ordinance that would regulate marijuana growth, cultivation and distribution in the city.
Maine voters legalized marijuana last November. Marijuana use is legal for those 21 and older, but the sale of recreational marijuana won't be permitted until next year.
The city is currently under a temporary ordinance requiring those who grow recreational or medical marijuana to obtain a license with the city and is proposing a similar permanent ordinance.
Under the proposed ordinance, a license would be required for those who "grow, cultivate, harvest, manage, process, transfer, exchange or distribute marijuana or any marijuana product."
The proposed ordinance does not require a license for personal use of marijuana in one's own home provided there is no associated growing, cultivating, harvesting, managing, processing, transferring, exchanging or distributing.
Saco medical marijuana facility owner and resident Brett Messer was the only community member to speak out about the proposed ordinance at a public hearing at Monday night's City Council meeting.
Messer said the state is currently setting a set of guidelines to cover the majority of cannabis activity in Maine. "Why are we rushing to force through this ordinance when we do not know what the state will release for regulation," he said.
Messer said the city should have consulted local cannabis business owners before drafting the proposed ordinance.
Messer listed some concerns he had with the proposed ordinance and said the ordinance violated HIPAA privacy rules, as it required medical marijuana providers when obtaining a license to supply their patients names, and have them put in public record.
Messer said the proposed ordinance requires background checks for medical and commercial recreational marijuana growers. He said the state already conducts background checks on medical marijuana growers and will do so as well with commercial marijuana growers once those businesses are allowed in the state.
"This is redundant and not cost effective," said Masser.
Messer said he thought the city was rushing to regulate a recreational marijuana market that didn't yet exist and regulate medical marijuana business in "a far-reaching manner" that was inconsistent with state law.
"I hope we can review this in a little bit more depth and make some decisions that are wise for residents and business owners in the city of Saco," said Messer.
Councilor Eric Cote said he agreed with Messer and thought many of the sections of the proposed ordinance were "overkill."
Councilor Roger Gay said he agreed as well. "I think it needs to be cleaned up a little bit," he said.
The city is scheduled for a final vote on the ordinance Sept. 5. Mayor Ron Michaud said the suggested ordinance would be further reviewed and discussed at a workshop before the City Council voted on it.
News Moderator: Ron Strider 420 MAGAZINE ®
Full Article: Council will review proposed marijuana regulations | www.journaltribune.com | The Journal Tribune
Author: LIZ GOTTHELF
Contact: www.journaltribune.com | The Journal Tribune
Photo Credit: Andrew Selsky
Website: www.journaltribune.com | The Journal Tribune
Maine voters legalized marijuana last November. Marijuana use is legal for those 21 and older, but the sale of recreational marijuana won't be permitted until next year.
The city is currently under a temporary ordinance requiring those who grow recreational or medical marijuana to obtain a license with the city and is proposing a similar permanent ordinance.
Under the proposed ordinance, a license would be required for those who "grow, cultivate, harvest, manage, process, transfer, exchange or distribute marijuana or any marijuana product."
The proposed ordinance does not require a license for personal use of marijuana in one's own home provided there is no associated growing, cultivating, harvesting, managing, processing, transferring, exchanging or distributing.
Saco medical marijuana facility owner and resident Brett Messer was the only community member to speak out about the proposed ordinance at a public hearing at Monday night's City Council meeting.
Messer said the state is currently setting a set of guidelines to cover the majority of cannabis activity in Maine. "Why are we rushing to force through this ordinance when we do not know what the state will release for regulation," he said.
Messer said the city should have consulted local cannabis business owners before drafting the proposed ordinance.
Messer listed some concerns he had with the proposed ordinance and said the ordinance violated HIPAA privacy rules, as it required medical marijuana providers when obtaining a license to supply their patients names, and have them put in public record.
Messer said the proposed ordinance requires background checks for medical and commercial recreational marijuana growers. He said the state already conducts background checks on medical marijuana growers and will do so as well with commercial marijuana growers once those businesses are allowed in the state.
"This is redundant and not cost effective," said Masser.
Messer said he thought the city was rushing to regulate a recreational marijuana market that didn't yet exist and regulate medical marijuana business in "a far-reaching manner" that was inconsistent with state law.
"I hope we can review this in a little bit more depth and make some decisions that are wise for residents and business owners in the city of Saco," said Messer.
Councilor Eric Cote said he agreed with Messer and thought many of the sections of the proposed ordinance were "overkill."
Councilor Roger Gay said he agreed as well. "I think it needs to be cleaned up a little bit," he said.
The city is scheduled for a final vote on the ordinance Sept. 5. Mayor Ron Michaud said the suggested ordinance would be further reviewed and discussed at a workshop before the City Council voted on it.
News Moderator: Ron Strider 420 MAGAZINE ®
Full Article: Council will review proposed marijuana regulations | www.journaltribune.com | The Journal Tribune
Author: LIZ GOTTHELF
Contact: www.journaltribune.com | The Journal Tribune
Photo Credit: Andrew Selsky
Website: www.journaltribune.com | The Journal Tribune
