Waterville council says no to marijuana dispensaries
Unanimous vote for moratorium
By Amy Calder acalder@mainetoday.com
Staff Writer
WATERVILLE -- City councilors made it clear Tuesday they do not want a marijuana dispensary or related facility in or near the downtown under current zoning rules.
Beverly and Andrew Busque picket outside the former KFC restaurant in Waterville on Thursday. The site is where a proposed medical marijuana dispensary may be located. Beverly Busque said she approves of medical marijuana but is not in favor of the site, adjacent to her property.
Staff photo by David Leaming
Some medical marijuana patients in Maine argue that the proposed $100 annual fee, and $300 for home growers, is too much.
2003 Associated Press file photo
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They voted 7-0 to place a 6-month moratorium on accepting applications and issuing permits for such facilities, including marijuana dispensaries, cultivation operations and storage.
The council must take two more votes to finalize a moratorium and could do that at the next council meeting in two weeks.
If six months is not long enough to develop appropriate rules regulating marijuana-related facilities, councilors say they would extend the moratorium.
"It's not a good thing to have," said Councilor Karen Rancourt-Thomas, an independent councilor representing Ward 7. "I don't want it in the city, and I think we should prohibit it if we can."
Northeast Patients Group, based in Augusta, has cited the former KFC building on Water Street in Ward 7 as a possible site for a medical marijuana dispensary.
The building is located across the street from the Hathaway Creative Center, a complex Councilor Thomas R.W. Longstaff, D-Ward 6, said the city has put a lot of effort into developing. Having a marijuana facility there would thwart ongoing efforts to attract businesses to the center, he said.
Longstaff wondered aloud whether, given that medical marijuana facilities are legal, they can be prohibited in the city.
"I think we can prohibit it if the city doesn't want it," said Mayor Paul LePage, who also is the Republican nominee for governor. "Some communities go dry. You can go dry if you decide you want to go dry."
Councilor Mary-Anne Beal, D-Ward 2, who proposed the moratorium, said that was not the case.
"According to Maine Municipal (Association), we cannot ban it," she said.
Beal said earlier that she opposes a marijuana facility at the former KFC, as it is in a residential area and a stone's throw from downtown, which the city is trying to grow and support. A moratorium would allow for officials to establish boundaries and conditions for a dispensary, she said.
"It just gives us an opportunity to make this right, if we get a dispensary, to do it right," she said.
City Solicitor William Lee said that during the moratorium period, the city would be required to work on developing rules -- that the city may not just sit back and do nothing.
The city has not received an application for a dispensary, according to City Manager Michael Roy. Roy said before the meeting that Northeast Patients Group approached the city to ask if current city zoning rules allow for such a facility -- and they do, he said.
Northeast's attorney notified the city that Augusta would be the first choice for such a dispensary and that Waterville is the second choice, according to Roy.
Matt Nazar, deputy development director for the city of Augusta, said earlier Tuesday that he does not know how Waterville's potential moratorium would affect a proposal to put a dispensary in Augusta.
"The city of Augusta does have locations in the city where these uses are currently allowed," he said. "If a dispensary wanted to locate in one of those districts where a dispensary is currently allowed, they could do that. As to whether or not one would, I really can't predict."
Becky DeKeuster, Northeast's executive director, said by phone Tuesday that if Waterville approves a moratorium, her group would still like to meet with the city to discuss plans for a dispensary. "Every city needs to look at this," she said. "Two of our board members are former educators. Part of our mission is to help people understand the science behind this."
DeKeuster said she worked seven years at a one of northern California's longest-running and most respected dispensaries and the facility was no more dangerous than a bank or a CVS pharmacy; in fact, crime decreased there, she said, because the dispensary had a security guard on the premises 24 hours a day and cameras.
"A well-run dispensary is not a crime magnet," she said. "You have to remember who they're serving.
"A dispensary serves severely and seriously ill people who have illnesses such as cancer, glaucoma and Crohn's Disease," she said. "These are people that are wrestling with issues that affect their entire quality of life."
Police Chief Joseph Massey said he worries such a dispensary would create issues that occur around the methadone clinic in Waterville, including people driving under the influence, fights, assaults, thefts, children left in vehicles and people illegally diverting drugs.
However, Councilor John O'Donnell, D-Ward 5, said a marijuana dispensary would be different in that it serves sick people with painful diseases; people who go to the methadone clinic are addicted to drugs.
"It's not necessarily an addiction treatment, I don't think," O'Donnell said.
Beverly Busque and her husband, Andrew, who live next to the proposed KFC site on Water Street, oppose a marijuana dispensary and have been picketing with signs outside their home each day. Andrew Busque picketed outside city hall Tuesday night during the council meeting; Beverly attended the meeting.
She said afterward that she was relieved at the council's vote. "I'm glad. I'm very, very happy," she said.
She said she thinks one of the reasons the KFC site is being considered for a marijuana dispensary is that the cartoon "South Park" depicted a medical marijuana facility operating at a KFC.
Andrew Busque said that some people who see the couple picketing outside their house show support, but others threaten them.
"They go by and tell us to go home. I say, 'We are home.' It's just not a good thing. In California, they have a doctor on site. People walk in off the street and need something for a headache or a backache and they hand it to them. I think over there it's getting out of hand."
Amy Calder -- 861-9247
acalder@centralmaine.com
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43 COMMENTS
Divinity said...
Longstaff wondered aloud whether, given that medical marijuana facilities are legal, they can be prohibited in the city. "I think we can prohibit it if the city doesn't want it," said Mayor Paul LePage, who also is the Republican nominee for governor. "Some communities go dry. You can go dry if you decide you want to go dry." Councilor Mary-Anne Beal, D-Ward 2, who proposed the moratorium, said that was not the case. "According to Maine Municipal (Association), we cannot ban it," she said. Becky DeKeuster, Northeast's executive director, said by phone Tuesday that if Waterville approves a moratorium, her group would still like to meet with the city to discuss plans for a dispensary. "Every city needs to look at this," she said. "Two of our board members are former educators. Part of our mission is to help people understand the science behind this." _____________________ Best wishes to Northeast as they try to educate Paul LePage. Apparently, that is a real challenge.
July 21, 2010 at 2:25 AM Report abuse
said...
The opponents of a dispensary ALL need some education. This will not be the same as allowing a drug dealer to set up on a street corner, any more than allowing a Rite-Aid to exist is the same as allowing Oxycontin pushers on your streets. There are lots of regulations in place to maintain control of marijuana sales through dispensaries. Citing the California experience is bogus. As in so many aspects of governance, California has mucked up its dispensary system. It is more an example of what to avoid (and we are avoiding it), than what to emulate.
July 21, 2010 at 6:09 AM Report abuse
said...
Leave them alone. They welcome the methadone clinics!
July 21, 2010 at 6:12 AM Report abuse
To little to late said...
why not let the methodone clinic pass it out, you already have a bunch of junkies running around, according to the arguement pot smokers are more mellow, besides the law states once they have a script they can grow it or pay someone to grow it for them, I was going to offer to open up a green house next door to city hall
July 21, 2010 at 6:53 AM Report abuse
said...
Repeal the law. Are drugs the answer? Ask your doctor...
July 21, 2010 at 7:06 AM Report abuse
stuart said...
Waterville is the "Kentucky" of Maine. A rundown backwards place reminiscent of an Appalachian hollow. No wonder LePage got elected mayor.
July 21, 2010 at 7:38 AM Report abuse
Art Vandelay said...
Why not make the the Rite-Aids, Walgreens, CVS, Shaw's Pharmacy, etc the dispensaries? They're already dispensing virtually every other drug (many of which are worse than marijuana!)
July 21, 2010 at 8:05 AM Report abuse
said...
Well my name's John Lee Pettimore. Same as my daddy and his daddy before. You hardly ever saw Grandaddy down here. He only came to town about twice a year. He'd buy a hundred pounds of yeast and some copper line. Everybody knew that he made moonshine. Now the revenue man wanted Grandaddy bad, He headed up the holler with everything he had. It's before my time but I've been told He never came back from Copperhead Road. Now Daddy ran the whiskey in a big block Dodge. Bought it at an auction at the Mason's Lodge. Johnson County Sheriff painted on the side. Just shot a coat of primer then he looked inside. Well him and my uncle tore that engine down. I still remember that rumblin' sound.
July 21, 2010 at 8:09 AM Report abuse
said...
Well the sheriff came around in the middle of the night. Heard mama cryin', knew something wasn't right. He was headed down to Knoxville with the weekly load. You could smell the whiskey burnin' down Copperhead Road. I volunteered for the Army on my birthday. They draft the white trash first,'round here anyway. I done two tours of duty in Vietnam. And I came home with a brand new plan. I take the seed from Colombia and Mexico. I plant it up the holler down Copperhead Road. Well the D.E.A.'s got a chopper in the air. I wake up screaming like I'm back over there. I learned a thing or two from ol' Charlie don't you know. You better stay away from Copperhead Road.
July 21, 2010 at 8:10 AM Report abuse
said...
Well the sheriff came around in the middle of the night. Heard mama cryin', knew something wasn't right. He was headed down to Knoxville with the weekly load. You could smell the whiskey burnin' down Copperhead Road. I volunteered for the Army on my birthday. They draft the white trash first,'round here anyway. I done two tours of duty in Vietnam. And I came home with a brand new plan. I take the seed from Colombia and Mexico. I plant it up the holler down Copperhead Road. Well the D.E.A.'s got a chopper in the air. I wake up screaming like I'm back over there. I learned a thing or two from ol' Charlie don't you know. You better stay away from Copperhead Road.
July 21, 2010 at 8:17 AM Report abuse
Fen said...
Anonymous, do you really think Maine is going to do a better job then California? People are going to abuse the system here just like they do out there, you cannot deny that. I hope more towns and cities follow Waterville. There was a caption under a picture in the article saying people are complaining about the $300 fee for growing in their own home...it should be at least 10 times the cost to be able to grow. What does it matter anyway, they will be able to make it up the difference after they use up what they need for their 'chronic pain'.
July 21, 2010 at 8:20 AM Report abuse
workingclass said...
Why wouldn't you be allowed to ban it? The town of Linneus bans the sale of alcohol. Cities and towns should be allowed to make their own decisions as to what goes on in their borders. I agree with Art, let the pharmacies distribute it as a legitimate prescription, just like everything else.
July 21, 2010 at 8:31 AM Report abuse
Ripple said...
At a price between $300-$400 a ounce, the only patients purchasing medicinal marijuana will be Mainecare recipients, who have a $3 co-pay while the taxpayers make up the difference. I would expect a large number of applications in order for people to grow their own.
July 21, 2010 at 8:36 AM Report abuse
WhiteRose said...
Prohibition of marijuana in the US is based on two assertions: 1. God made a botanical mistake, and 2. Your state legislators have both the wisdom and the authority to correct that mistake....So who do you god worshipers trust? Please tell us.
July 21, 2010 at 8:44 AM Report abuse
stop this mess said...
I think DHHS should have to pick up the $300 grow your own fee, since it is them who is regulation this and it is a medication approved by their office.
July 21, 2010 at 8:47 AM Report abuse
said...
We held a referendum. The people have spoken. The law applies statewide. Mr. LePage does not like the law. His attitude is "You can do what you want if that is what you decide. That's what I think." As Governor LePage would trim healthcare costs by prohibiting anti-depressants and all psychotropic medications. He doesn't want depressed people coming to his state.
July 21, 2010 at 8:53 AM Report abuse
MtVernonite said...
LePage a friend of business? or of right-wing ideologues? I think we can answer that now.
July 21, 2010 at 8:56 AM Report abuse
WhiteRose said...
So if someone does not pay the $300 fee, will they be charged with growing without paying a fee? OR will they be charged with felony trafficing/cultivation and have thier property and other assets seized as thelaw now stands?
July 21, 2010 at 8:58 AM Report abuse
Bob Cnstantine said...
The right to own your own body is what happens when there is freedom. The answer is simple, if a person is not harming you, leave them alone. To take away a persons right to self ownership is to enslave them. It was legal once to "own" other people. Preventing peaceful people from owning themself is different from slavery how? When we return to a society that minds its own business and leaves others that do the same alone, we will have a better society. I do not approve of everything that others do, but if they are leaving ME alone, I should leave THEM alone. Pretty simple concept.
July 21, 2010 at 9:41 AM Report abuse
William Silver said...
Right now any day drive through Waterville ans ee the junkies and meth heads hanging out. Yea good idea to stop pot and allow the hard core drugs. I expect much more leadership for government under LePage. There is none. The voters wanrt to allow pot dispensaries, CVS, Wall-Mart Right Aid, et al want to pish narcotics. Come on. Waterville is hardly anyones dream home.
July 21, 2010 at 9:49 AM Report abuse
Wtvl Bites said...
Waterville is starting to develop an attitude. I think it's time for all of us to stay away. Don't shop there, don't drive through there, then maybe they will loosen up.
July 21, 2010 at 10:23 AM Report abuse
said...
It's Waterville..a m0ron city; who cares!?
July 21, 2010 at 10:54 AM Report abuse
TiredMainer said...
Divinty, there are dry counties throughout the country. Educate yourself or go to Amish country in pennsylvania and see for yourself. You are getting ridiculous with your comments. I can only wish that I could put you on Iggy. Just state the facts. Don't make the up! Cite your sources while you are at it too. p.s. , still waiting for you to publicly name where and who I work for. (crickets chirping).
July 21, 2010 at 11:19 AM Report abuse
ModerateOne said...
This is for cancer patients for gosh sakes. Have a little compassion.
July 21, 2010 at 11:22 AM Report abuse
TiredMainer said...
Divinity? Did you even read the headline. "Waterville council says no to mariijuana dispensaries" The Waterville council is made up of 6 democrats and one independent. The vote was 7-0. So why are you focused on Paul LePage? (again, the crickets are chirping). Why not blame the city council?
July 21, 2010 at 11:35 AM Report abuse
Non Smoker said...
Waterville is filled with Colby brats and addicts of the hospital. Screw them and their old money. Look up William Randolph Hearst and Harry Aslinger, the only two reasons pot was ever criminalized. Back in the 30's people didn't even know what it was. But they used it to take down hemp products which were in direct competition for a military contract with Aslinger's company. Maybe you have heard of the company...Dupont? They are awesome. They created nylon and rayon and teflon. Awesome right? Where would we be without unsustainable chemical creations that cause cancer? Now we are coming full circle because the cancer caused by the teflon can now be treated with the weed that was criminalized. The world would be a better place if everyone just shut up and smoked a joint. The crime rate would dry up and love for our earth would spread. I mean if you ever overdosed on weed the worst thing that would happen is you might eat an entire box of cheese itz and go to bed.
July 21, 2010 at 11:43 AM Report abuse
Ryan said...
Well Waterville, don't complain when your city council runs out of money. Thats all I'm sayin. When you can't keep up with the school budget or afford proper road repairs or other important budget problems just remember: you hocked a lugie in the hand that offered you revinue. Let me help you understand this SCIENCE part, its a mathamatical formula actually: Medical marijuana + patients + a dispensary in Waterville X taxes for sales = JOBS AND REVINUE. But do what you want haters.
July 21, 2010 at 12:03 PM Report abuse
Sleep now in the fire said...
My apologies to any of my Waterville friends. I know there are a slim few who aren't represented in the community. Those who wouldn't picket something as innocent as a dispensary. I'm starting to see the other side of the issue. I can see why people would be afraid of harvesting plants for medicinal use. I mean that's way worse than the colonel dealing cancer fried chemical chickens with a side of mashed cholesterol smothered in gravy scraped off the floor of the slaughter house. mmmm Americana. Sing with me. I'm proud to be an American cause at least I know I'm free. And I'm proud to be from a Waterville without a dispensary at my KFC. Canada is more American than we are. I'm so embarrassed.
July 21, 2010 at 12:07 PM Report abuse
Badjuju said...
With God as my witness, I will never step foot in Waterville again, and just crossed Lepage off the long list.
July 21, 2010 at 12:15 PM Report abuse
rogor said...
Sounds like Waterville has a lot of pot smokers. By their complaining about possibly not having a place to go get their pot, you'd think the world was coming to an end. The world coming to an end? Is that possible?
July 21, 2010 at 12:25 PM Report abuse
Biddy said...
Well my assumptions about Mayor Paul LePage are coming true. This after watching him speak only a couple of times, reading his website, and doing a bit of research. A Mayor not knowing what is or isn't allowable under the law on this issue? At least have the City Solicitor research it and make an informed statement! Or did Waterville cut it's city solicitor? If we elect this buffoon as Governor God help this state!!
July 21, 2010 at 12:47 PM Report abuse
said...
Rogor = idiot... We're talking about sick individuals you m0r0n, we're not talking about pot heads or stoners. And we certainly aren't talking baout drunks like you m0r0n!!
July 21, 2010 at 1:16 PM Report abuse
Biddy said...
What is there to be afraid of with Medical Marijuana? The customers are people with illnesses looking for relief not people using it for pleasure. In fact it is probably one heck of a lot safer to be next door to one of these places then near LePage's Buddy's bar, the Bob In or near some corner store that sells booze. Instead of leading on the issue LePage has shown he uses fear for political gain. What a Governor He would make!! No wonder the GOP hasn't won in Maine for many years.
July 21, 2010 at 1:16 PM Report abuse
theBarefootContender said...
They should be allowed to open a shop anywhere a Liquor Store could set up. Meth, Coke and Liquor usage will go down and so will wrecks and DUI's when pot is legalized. Booze kills .. go after it.
July 21, 2010 at 1:35 PM Report abuse
said...
TiredMainer said..."p.s. , still waiting for you to publicly name where and who I work for." _______________________________________________________________________________ Who cares about you? Other than using the facts as reported to point out that Paul LePage is ill-informed and shoots from the hip, what did Divinity say that upsets you so? Do you picture Paul in a beard and driving a horse-drawn buggy through Maine with whale-oil lamps?
July 21, 2010 at 1:40 PM Report abuse
said...
we can only hope that one day, one of these council members becomes ill and requires medical marijuana for treatment. let them travel miles to fill their prescription. experience is the greatest educator.
July 21, 2010 at 2:09 PM Report abuse
ras said...
someone needs to get anonymous back on his meds he is in worse shape than sybil was
July 21, 2010 at 2:18 PM Report abuse
Elizabeth said...
I hope the good members of the Waterville City Council never suffer with cancer, AIDS, glaucoma or any other extremely painful and debilitating conditions. Heartless, folks.
July 21, 2010 at 2:37 PM Report abuse
N.Coyne said...
Wow comparing a despencery to a methadone clinic?? IF these people had a CLUE as to what they were talkign about maybe they wouldnt seem so Ignorant about the issues they are arguing. People living with chronic pain and dabilitating health issues have 2 choices right now, deal with it, or take precription pain killers that make them unable to function normaly or at all. Medical marijuana is an alternative to being drugged out by "legal" pain killers and still able to function and take care of ones self. Please people EDUCATE yourselves before thumpping your chest and screaming how marijuana is a drug. This country use to have laws that REQUIRED people who held land to grow marijuana on it and until 60yrs ago it was not a "drug" but herbal medicine. Please pick up a book before you open your mouths and make the world a better place.
July 21, 2010 at 2:51 PM Report abuse
xBLACKSHEEPx said...
I am vegan-straightedge. For those of you who don't know what that is, google it.. I am all for medical marijuana, IF, it is distributed right! I always thought if patients had special facilities where they could toke up their stuff under surveilance then it won't be a problem. But the problem is, they will go in to these places to get their bag of weed and hit the streets with it, selling it to your sons, daughters, etc.. I saw it happen with the methodone clinics, people would somehow get some out of there and sell it on the streets (at PSRC). My 21 year old friend Danny overdosed on the stuff the first time he ever tried it. He way drunk at a party w/ friends.. Now Im not saying weed is as dangerous as methodone, cigarettes and alcohol is FAR worse.. But if they're going to legalize it for medical purposes they NEED TO DO IT RIGHT! Like bars, you can get messed up all ya want inside, u just can't leave with your drink!? Make sense!?
July 21, 2010 at 3:58 PM Report abuse
xBLACKSHEEPx said...
...Oh and for those of you morons who want to make an argument of my statement. It is TRUE, some cancer or AIDS patients know they are going to die. I've sat right next to a few in my day and watched them sell their prescription pills to junkies so they can have a little extra money! It is very sad.. Marijuana dispensaries are NOTHING compared to Methodone clinics, but if some people are going to take their super skunk med-bud out onto the streets it will RUIN IT FOR ANYONE ELSE who needs the plant. Im totally against BIG PHARMA, the FDA, and all the other scumbags who get rich off of our demise. I do not advocate drug use (drug being anything that alters your mind state) My mother still tokes, she's an old hippy and we get into arguments about pot being a drug. Heh, when I was younger I use to sling bags so Im not ignorant to the facts people.. Just want everyone to continue to get their natural medication!
July 21, 2010 at 4:06 PM Report abuse
here it comes said...
I have a question and no one will answer it, be careful it is a trick one, how many people overdose on drugs in the U.S. each year? illegal ones 11 million or so how much marijuana is a safe dose? 0, if you do not have a doctors note
July 21, 2010 at 7:11 PM Report abuse
Hiding in the sand said...
It doesn't make sense, although I am against medical pot, the voters have spoken and the city said no, but consider this. You can get an abortion in the city, You can buy alcohol in the city, You can buy a gun, You can go to the local bar and buy a prostitute, cocaine, crack, marijuana, If you are a junkie, you can go over to the Airport Rd and get your fix of methadone for the day, But if you are sick YOU CAN NOT BUY YOUR MEDICINE, YOU HAVE TO GO TO AUGUSTA, Maybe the city council should concentrate on some of the other activity that goes on that is detrimental to the fine people of Waterville, what happens, when someone asks questions they already know the answer to, not in my back yard
July 22, 2010 at 7:01 AM Report abuse