If the ordinance had been approved at town meeting, it was the intention of Roedner and selectmen to develop zoning laws for the establishments.

Under current law, medical marijuana storefronts are viewed as a retail operation, the same as a store selling glass pipes. With a storefront, the medical marijuana clinic is seen as an accessory use of the retail facility. The clinic can serve up to five patients with a card, but the fifth slot is left open to anyone who enters the store.

It is different from a retail marijuana store, however, because a medical marijuana card and a valid condition are required to make a purchase.

Roedner explained at town meeting that under state law, towns have to “opt in” to have retail stores.

Topsham has one medical marijuana storefront operation — Highbrow — at the Topsham Fair Mall. Mall owner John Larson said he had to do his homework when he was approached by the owners, but had little concern once he learned how the operation works.

“It’s totally separate,” he said. “No one is able to buy the product on a retail basis.”

Much like a patient seeing a doctor, cardholders are taken to the back of the store in a private area where the medical marijuana caregiver facility is located.

“The more I talked to people, I was surprised to find a lot of people I never knew used the product and had benefited from it,” Larson said.