Zoning changes could get green light as dispensary looks to move
Maine Organic Therapy in Ellsworth, a state-licensed medical marijuana dispensary, is looking to relocate from its current location off of Bucksport Road, but before that can happen, Ellsworth officials will have to make changes to zoning regulations that limit where the dispensary can be located.
Currently the regulations, which were drafted in 2010 prior to the dispensary opening in 2011, only permits the company to set up shop in either urban or industrial zones — and 500 feet away from the property line of existing schools, churches, parks, playgrounds and libraries.
The proposed amendment still enforces the 500-foot buffer zone between the dispensary and those locations, but would open a wider area for the business, according to the Ellsworth American.
What the amendment would allow, however, is Maine Organic Therapy to move into Ellsworth’s commercial zoning district, which encompasses a space from the Maine Coast Mall out along High Street and Downeast Highway to the town lines with Hancock, Lamoine and Trenton.
A restriction that prevents Maine Organic Therapy from relocating into a multi-tenant commercial building would also be lifted, under the provision that no other units in the building are residential.
Before the amendment is approved, it must first go through a number of steps, including a pair of public hearings in front of the Planning Board and City Council. Letters have already been sent to property owners in the commercial district.
“This is a legitimate business, just like other legitimate businesses in the state of Maine,” City Planner Michele Gagnon told the paper about the “sensible” amendment allowing the dispensary in a commercial zoning district.
Although still a relatively young business, medical marijuana dispensaries in Maine made $23.6 million in sales and generated $1.29 million in sales tax in 2015.
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