HEARING ON MARIJUANA DISPENSARIES HELD MONDAY IN ELIOT

ELIOT, Maine - In a three-hour meeting Thursday night, selectmen
voted 3-1 for a public hearing and special board meeting for a town
ordinance to control marijuana dispensaries.

The meeting will be held Monday at 6:30 p.m. at Town Hall.

The board is seeking approval for a local ordinance allowing local
controls for any legal marijuana dispensary looking to locate in Eliot.

A proposed ordinance written by former selectman John Murphy was
introduced Thursday night.

Murphy said, "The involvement of policing is minimal" in the state
law passed by voters statewide in the November 2009 election to
allow medical marijuana dispensaries in Maine. Newly reelected
selectman Michael Moynahan noted, "Under our existing
local ordinances, anyone could just come in under agricultural
zoning. We need to act on this and fast."

An official for a South Berwick medical group did speak against a
moratorium that was rejected in a clear hand vote against a proposed
moratorium at the annual town meeting June 12. A landscaper and
gardener from Kittery who hopes to be a marijuana grower also spoke Thursday.

Town administrative assistant Dan Blanchette did say there are no
present applications pending before the town.

On July 8, the state Department of Health and Human Services will
select one, and only one, medical dispensary for York County.
Reportedly, some 39 applications have been requested. Many York
County cities and towns already have moratoria in place.

State Rep. Sally Lewin of Eliot is the ranking Republican on the
DHHS committee. She has said repeatedly, "My major concern all along
has been public safety. That some small growing operation for
something still illegal by the federal government could come
in without local controls. We need a reasonable ordinance. We've
never discussed public safety issues surrounding this stuff. We need
to be much better prepared. We need local controls."

Residents will have the chance to ask questions and speak next
Monday at the public hearing. Copies of the proposed ordinance are
available at the Town Hall and the town website.

The board hopes informed residents will attend the hearing and then
vote to approve a warrant article for a special town meeting
Wednesday, July 7, at Marshwood Middle School on Roue 236.