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Wells Planning Board pauses adult‑use cannabis zoning change, asks staff for state testing guidance
Summary
After a public hearing on a proposed ordinance to permit the town’s three medical dispensaries to sell adult‑use cannabis, the Planning Board received public comment and unanimously voted to continue the workshop for more information, including letters from the police chief and the state Office of Cannabis Policy.
The Wells Planning Board on Nov. 4 closed a public hearing on a proposed zoning change that would allow the town’s three existing medical cannabis dispensaries to convert to adult‑use storefronts and then voted to continue work on the measure while staff gathers more information.
Applicant Bridal Roy, who identified himself as an owner and operator of Jar Cannabis at 279 Post Road, told the board the change would move local sales into “state regulated channels rather than unregulated sources,” citing mandatory adult‑use testing, seed‑to‑sale tracking and security requirements.
Members of the public and board raised concerns about whether medical products are subject to the same testing. “There is no mandatory testing for medical versus adult use,” the applicant said; he and other witnesses pointed board members to the Maine Office of Cannabis Policy for the specific testing rules. John McDonald, who spoke in support of local voter choice, said, “I just support people’s right to make that choice.”
Planning staff reported several emails and letters in the record opposing the change. Staff also flagged site‑specific issues: several existing dispensaries may lack the packaging, parking and other retail infrastructure needed to meet adult‑use retail standards without separate site‑plan review.
After discussion, a board member made a motion to continue the workshop for up to 60 days to allow staff and the applicant to collect additional materials — including letters from the police chief and clarification from the state about testing standards — and to return with recommended performance standards on issues such as parking, odor control and dumpster management. The motion carried unanimously.
Next steps: the Planning Board asked staff to request the state OCP’s testing guidance for medical products, include the police chief’s letter in the record and bring revised performance‑standard language and any site‑specific constraints back to the board at a future workshop.
