LEWISTON — Amended guidelines stipulating the place new marijuana companies will be positioned will go into impact later this month after metropolis officers gave ultimate approval this week.
The ordinance modifications expand a series of required buffers between marijuana companies and colleges, parks and residential neighborhoods, which can restrict choices for the place new companies can open, in addition to make a number of current companies nonconforming.
The efficiency requirements will add a 1,000-foot buffer between marijuana companies and colleges, a 500-foot buffer from parks and a 100-foot buffer from any residential property. The council additionally signed off on a 500-foot buffer between two marijuana companies.
The amendments mark a shift in metropolis coverage to a extra restrictive method to new marijuana companies, after the Planning Board initiated a dialogue on the variety of marijuana shops and manufacturing amenities in Lewiston.
On the similar time, it allowed metropolis employees to replace its system for measuring buffers, with the brand new guidelines prone to make it easier for workers and perspective companies to grasp.
All through the method, native marijuana companies have been comparatively quiet throughout public conferences, however employees mentioned there have been some considerations over the timing of the brand new guidelines impacting purposes for brand new enterprise licenses, in addition to the potential affect on some shops making the shift from medical to grownup use marijuana.
Alex McMahan of the Therapeutic Neighborhood MEDco dispensary. Solar Journal file photograph
Previous to ultimate passage Tuesday, the council heard from a number of workers of MEDCo, which operates two medical marijuana shops in Lewiston.
Alex McMahan, MedCo CEO, mentioned the corporate is within the strategy of transferring from being licensed as medical marijuana to grownup use because of the shifting dynamics of the trade. As a result of the brand new guidelines would make no less than one of many places nonconforming, he instructed officers he was involved the altering licenses might result in issues.
In response, the town added language to the up to date ordinance that stipulates that companies current previous to the efficient date of March 31 are thought-about “legally nonconforming.”
The council voted unanimously on the modification, however voted 6-1 on the ultimate approval of the brand new laws.
Councilor Scott Harriman has repeatedly argued in opposition to the brand new guidelines, saying the town doesn’t have comparable efficiency requirements or buffers from companies that promote alcohol, and that it sends the unsuitable message to an trade that has invested closely in Lewiston.
“The changes are an enchancment, however I simply don’t see the logic in these kinds of laws,” he mentioned.
Councilor Rick Lachapelle, who voted in favor of the expanded buffers, additionally recommended MEDCo employees for work they’ve accomplished to rehabilitate outdated storefronts within the metropolis.
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