A second medical marijuana growing facility is seeking to locate in Biddeford, but will need a zoning change approval from the city council to move forward. We’re glad to see the council has given a first vote of approval to this request, and would encourage them to give final approval for the zoning change at their July 1 meeting.
The proposal from Kind Acres Farm would see a marijuana growing facility installed at 10 Arctic Circle, part of which is in a business zone, rather than one of the industrial zones where this type of use would be conditionally permitted. The property abuts an industrial zone, as well as the former Hostess bakery plant, Genest Concrete and other commercial uses. Only one residence is even nearby.
Given its location, this property seems ideal for an industrial, non-retail use, and is not in a pedestrian-heavy part of town. Changing the zoning on part of the property to align with an industrial use seems to be a common-sense solution to accommodate a new business that wants to come to town. Biddeford is hardly flush with industry in this day and age, and this minor zoning change is a simple way to welcome a new property taxpayer and possible job creator to town.
Medical marijuana growing facilities are allowed by state law, since 2010, and municipalities have to allow them, at least in certain zones. The city has already allowed one such facility, Maine Organic Therapy, to locate in the nearby Biddeford Industrial Park, and no problems have been reported to the city, according to officials. This part of the city seems ideal for such a use: It’s not near any schools or in a residential area, and few residents will even know it’s there after this zoning issue is settled. Councilor Clement Fleurent, the only councilor to vote against the zoning change so far, raised concerns that its proximity to the Good Shepherd Food Bank is not appropriate. The food bank, however, is mostly a storage and sorting facility for distribution to the food pantries where people actually pick up groceries. Having stocks of food near a business that is growing plants does not seem to pose any hazards.
In fact, it’s difficult to find any reason why this zoning change request should not be approved, especially considering that full vetting of the proposal will take place through the planning board process, since marijuana growing facilities are only a conditional use in any zone.
Maine voters agreed four years ago that patients with certain conditions should have access to medical marijuana to treat their ailments, and for many, it has been the only effective way for them to find relief and get on with their daily lives. It follows that the plant has to be grown somewhere.
This industry is highly regulated and marijuana dosages are customized for each patient. The law currently allows “caregivers” to grow for up to five patients, and it’s safer for them to use a consolidated, secure facility to do this, which this business would provide. Not only has the Maine Organic Therapy site not had issues, but the medical marijuana dispensary in Biddeford ”“ which actually dispenses marijuana in various forms, including not only traditional leaves for smoking, but also tinctures, edibles and lotions ”“ has not had security breaches.
It is far safer for caregivers to use a growing facility than to grow on their own property, and it is better for Biddeford to embrace this legal, medical business in an appropriate part of the city than to see them take their business elsewhere.
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Today’s editorial was written by Managing Editor Kristen Schulze Muszynski on behalf of the Journal Tribune Editorial Board. Questions? Comments? Contact Kristen by calling 282-1535, ext. 322, or via email at kristenm@journaltribune.com.
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