TOPSHAM — New medical marijuana storefronts still aren’t allowed in Topsham.
On Wednesday, selectmen approved a six-month extension of a moratorium on the establishments; the current one expires this month.
Highbrow, the town’s marijuana-related business, is unaffected by the moratorium.
The goal, according to Town Manager Rich Roedner, is to use the time to define where such storefronts can be located and create regulations to license their operations. When it is determined how medical marijuana stores should be regulated, a potential owner would have to apply for a license to operate one.
“In my opinion, I’m not looking to put anybody out of business. I’m looking to bring business to town,” board Vice Chairman William Thompson said. “If we don’t do something it’s completely unregulated. This just gives us time to get some established parameters.”
Without an ordinance, a medical marijuana storefront would be allowed anywhere retail operations are permitted in Topsham.
The Planning Board will be responsible for creating a definition for the stores and where they can open. In terms of licensing the operations, it is likely the regulations will be similar to establishments that serve alcohol.
Roedner hopes to have something drafted for an October town meeting. If the town’s regulations are set by then, the moratorium could be lifted.
The initial moratorium approved by voters in December gave selectmen the option to extend it for another six months, if conditions had not changed. Town officials had been hopeful the state would provide direction on how to handle medical marijuana storefronts in that time.
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