JAY — Selectpersons chose language Monday for the warrant article on which residents will vote in April when deciding if they want to allow adult-use and medical marijuana businesses in town.
Residents are scheduled to vote April 23 at the annual town meeting.
State law dictates that after Dec. 13, 2018, municipalities wishing to allow medical or adult-use marijuana facilities must opt in to having such businesses, Town Manager Shiloh LaFreniere said.
A registered caregiver not operating a retail storefront is grandfathered under the law and may continue to cultivate and sell marijuana to his or her patients, regardless of whether the town opts in.
Creative Caring, a cannabis caregiving store on Main Street, was operational before Dec. 13 and is grandfathered, LaFreniere said.
Maine Municipal Association provided four warrant article samples from which the Select Board could choose. Selectpersons chose a warrant article that reads, “Shall the town vote to authorize within the municipality the operation of adult use (and medical) marijuana stores, cultivation facilities, products manufacturing facilities provided they operate in compliance with all applicable state and local requirements.”
Selectpersons added medical marijuana to the sample warrant article.
Jay residents opposed legalizing marijuana by a vote of 1,351 to 1,236 in a statewide vote in 2016.
The town can also choose to regulate medical and recreational marijuana stores by ordinance, LaFreniere said.
dperry@sunmediagroup.net
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