TOPSHAM

Topsham has taken a first step in figuring out their medical marijuana regulation quandary. A special advisory group is working with town officials to develop a regulatory pot ordinance before a moratorium on future medical marijuana facilities in town expires at the end of this year.

The majority of those on that board, whose membership appears fluid, are already in the medical marijuana business.

Members were recruited by Planning Director Rod Melanson at his discretion, following a directive from the town manager. There doesn’t appear to be any official parameters for membership in the group whose function is to make recommendations to the planning and select boards. It is strictly advisory in nature.

“When, where and how? How will it impact its surroundings? That’s what we’re looking at,” Melanson said.

Ryan Holmes, who owns Sundog Caregiving, a medical marijuana delivery service, is one of six community members that make up the committee. The former Mt. Ararat High School physical education teacher started Sundog in 2016, delivering to patients from Brunswick to Portland. Holmes would like a brick-and-mortar business, but said he wants it to be regulated correctly.

“I want to help create an industry that I believe can be successful,” Holmes said. “I don’t want a sub-par business for our town.”

The ordinance should include tough standards for facilities that prevents the drugs from ending up in the hands of minors, he said. He would like to see businesses go through a yearly application process that would include inspection of facilities.

“I want education and regulation,” he said. “We always fear what we don’t know and there’s so much fear out there about cannabis.”

In addition to Holmes, the advisory group’s makeup includes mostly other professionals in the industry, such as caregivers Rick Chiaravelotti and Christie Small.

It is expected a representative from High Brow will also be included. High Brow, which sells high-end glass pipes and is the town’s sole medical marijuana storefront, was already in business before the moratorium went into effect and was essentially grandfathered.

The town’s planning board is represented by Scott Libby.

Also on the board is Jennah Godo, who represents Brunswick-based Access Health, a group that works with communities to promote healthy living. Godo wants an ordinance that prevents Topsham youth from being impacted by marijuana establishments.

“One of the things we’ve done in the past is provide communities with best practice education from the recreational side,” she said. “Generally, medical marijuana has its own set of rules. We prioritize the public health perspective related to reducing access and compliance checks.”

Location is certain to come up in the discussion, and Godo believes advertising restrictions will be critical in keeping the product out the hands of minors.

“What we know is kids can be influenced by advertising,” said Godo. “There is research that supports adolescents no longer having a perception of harm because of advertising.”

Topsham residents have shown an openness to medical marijuana establishments, rejecting a proposed ban on medical and retail storefronts at the town’s Town Meeting in May. While Town Manager Rich Roedner explained the town would have to “opt-in” to a retail plan and the ban could be lifted once the state provided more direction about regulations, residents expressed concern with including medical marijuana in the ban.

That’s why selectmen extended the moratorium that would have expired in June.

Forming the advisory group has been the first step in developing medical marijuana regulations.

The group is working to develop rules about where future stores can be placed and standards of operation.

Proposals from the group will be passed to the town’s planning board and to selectmen, and ultimately to residents at an October Town Meeting ahead of the moratorium’s December expiration.

The pot plan

• PROPOSALS FROM THE GROUP will be passed along to Topsham’s planning board and to selectmen, and ultimately to residents at an October Town Meeting ahead of the pot moratorium’s December expiration.

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