OLD ORCHARD BEACH — The planning board has put on hold any discussion regarding a proposed medical marijuana business, in light of an upcoming town council decision on a moratorium.
The town council will vote Tuesday whether to approve an emergency moratorium that would temporarily ban the non-residential cultivation of medical marijuana.
Local resident Pierre Bouthiller presented his proposal for a medical marijuana business to the planning board Thursday night.
Bouthiller has not submitted a formal application, and the board was not scheduled to take any formal action Thursday, but he was seeking advice on whether the proposed business was permitted at the location under town ordinance.
Bouthiller has proposed a facility at 60 Saco Ave. to conduct medical marijuana research and provide space for medical marijuana caregivers, or those who are licensed through the state to grow medical marijuana.
As the law is soon changing to allow patients at hospices to use edible medical marijuana products, the proposed business would also have room for the production of edible marijuana items, said Bouthiller.
Bouthiller said the facility would provide a secure place for caregivers, who typically grow marijuana at their home. It also would be a place to conduct much-needed research, as much of the evidence for medical marijuana is anecdotal.
The planning board, under the recommendation of Town Planner Jeffrey Hinderliter, decided Thursday to hold off on scheduling any further discussion until it sees what action the town council takes.
“There’s a proposed moratorium … that could change anything we discuss right now,” said Hinderliter.
Bouthiller asked the planning board to consider a public hearing.
“I come here today with a sense of urgency,” he said.
Hinderliter said since the town council is proposing the moratorium; at this point, it would be the town council that would schedule any public hearing.
Hinderliter said should a moratorium be enacted, the planning board would not be able to act on the approval of a non-residential marijuana growing business during the moratorium period.
— Staff Writer Liz Gotthelf can be contacted at 282-1535, ext. 325 or [email protected].
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