AUBURN, POLAND EYED FOR POT DISPENSARY

WILTON - Now that the Remedy Compassion Center has gained state
license approval as a medical marijuana dispensary, Timothy and
Jennifer Smale are looking at several options for a location.

Wilton is not necessarily "off the table" as the couple look at a
possible lease of space there but they are also considering
alternative locations, Tim Smale said Monday from his Vienna home. The
Smales were given licensing for one of eight districts in Maine. The
local district covers Franklin, Oxford and Androscoggin counties.

They have looked at the Poland area and have inquired whether the
Planning Board would consider a proposal for a dispensary, but they
are also considering sites in the Lewiston-Auburn area, he said.

"We've met with Chief (Phil) Crowell and Auburn town leaders about
locating in the area and they were supportive," he said, especially in
terms of planned security.

While Auburn did place a moratorium on medical marijuana dispensaries,
that is expected to expire soon and they will have to decide whether
to continue the moratorium, he said.

Auburn Planner/Code Officer Eric Cousens said that city's moratorium
is due to expire on Aug. 15. He said Monday that the Smales had a good
plan and it was presented professionally. Unless the City Council
objects, he expects the moratorium may just expire and city leaders
will start working with the couple on a location.

Although the Smale's state application included the Dexter building on
Routes 2 and 4 site in East Wilton, they have been considering other
locations and keeping the Department of Health and Human Services
abreast of their plans. The department does not object to a change of
location.

"I think they (the state) would rather we do it right rather than
quickly," Smale said. "We're navigating through towns and
neighborhoods and doing it very carefully."

They have looked at other facilities, including the former Rite Aid
building in Farmington but have not found anything that fits their
qualifications. They also expect to lease a site for a while until
they can qualify for a commercial loan.

"It's a big project: not only the money and facility but the license
application," he said.

In the best case scenario, he said the dispensary would open on
Monday, Dec. 13, but that's still subject to change.