SOUTH PORTLAND — The City Council unanimously approved zoning and licensing regulations Monday night that make this among the first municipalities in Maine to welcome so-called adult-use marijuana businesses.

The ordinance amendments are designed to both allow and control marijuana growing, testing, processing and retail operations in the city’s commercial and industrial districts.

The new ordinances take effect in 20 days. However, while people will be able to start developing marijuana businesses in the city, the city won’t be able to license them anytime soon.

The Maine House voted Monday to sustain Gov. Paul LePage’s veto of a bill that would create the legal framework for retail sales of recreational marijuana.

City officials have been working on the ordinance amendments since Maine voters approved recreational marijuana use by a slim margin last November.

The local regulations prohibit marijuana social clubs and don’t address marijuana cultivation as a home occupation – two businesses that some councilors wanted to allow. The council agreed to set those issues aside and revisit them in six months.


Only subscribers are eligible to post comments. Please subscribe or login first for digital access. Here’s why.

Use the form below to reset your password. When you've submitted your account email, we will send an email with a reset code.