Rockland city council hosts marijuana workshop Wednesday, Aug 16
ROCKLAND – Rockland City Council is holding a public marijuana workshop discussion 5:30 p.m., Wednesday, August 16. This will be the first step in hearing from the public, business owners, public safety, city staff and potential proprietors of how the city should move forward with regulations.
“This will certainly not be the last conversation, but the discussion needs to begin, and interest level gauged, so current and future council can set a path forward,” Mayor Will Clayton said.
Rockland’s Marijuana Land Use and Licensing Policy Workshop is a result of a Maine law passed in November 2016 legalizing the recreational use, retail sale and taxation of marijuana.
That law was then postponed in moratorium until details can be analyzed.
“On January 27, 2017 the legislature approved a moratorium on implementing parts of the law regarding retail sales and taxation until at least February 2018, giving time to resolve issues and promulgate rules,” according to the government website.
“The portion of the law that allows persons over 21 years to grow six mature plants and possess 2.5 ounces became effective on January 30, 2017.”
In December 2016, Rockland Main Street, Inc., conducted a SurveyMonkey comprised of three questions.
- Are you in favor of a marijuana store locating in the downtown district in the City of Rockland?
- Are you in favor of a marijuana store locating anywhere in the City of Rockland?
- Do you own and/or manage a business in downtown Rockland?
The survey received 197 responses. Based on the results, the Main Street, Inc. board of directors remained neutral in opinion.
Q1 Are you in favor of a marijuana store locating in the downtown district in the City of Rockland?
Yes: 39.80 percent
No: 45.41 percent
Maybe: 14.80 percent
Q2 Are you in favor of a marijuana store locating anywhere in the City of Rockland?
Yes: 49.57 percent
No: 30.46 percent
Maybe: 19.80 percent
Q3 Do you own and/or manage a business in Downtown Rockland?
Yes: 55.10 percent
No: 44.90 percent
Sarah Thompson can be reached at news@penbaypilot.com
