Marks Organix eyes deal to open shop in Wells despite new cap on marijuana dispensaries
WELLS, Maine — Mark Quinn still has high hopes he will be able to open a medical marijuana dispensary in town despite a Wells vote to limit the number of dispensaries to three.
For Quinn, that will require some negotiation with town officials, as he is the fourth applicant to have a proposed dispensary approved by the town’s Planning Board. In addition to Curaleaf, which opened in Wells two years ago, the board approved two other proposed dispensaries earlier this year.
As they processed his application for Marks Organix at 665 Post Road, local officials made clear to Quinn that, as the fourth approved dispensary, he would have to cease operations or risk violating the town’s cap-inducing, retroactive ordinance if approved by voters.
Voters approved the cap on June 13 by a vote of 952 to 432.
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The day after the town vote, however, Quinn said he had met with his legal team and is moving “full speed ahead” with his goal of opening a new medical marijuana shop.
“We’re looking forward to working with the town of Wells to find a resolution,” Quinn said. “We entered this process in good faith six or seven months ago, and we have invested a lot of time and money into the process.”
Quinn said he had not yet reached out to the town but expressed hopes that he and the Wells Select Board could reach some kind of a consent agreement that would allow him to proceed with his plans.
During an interview last month, Select Board Chair John MacLeod III said he could not say whether the Select Board would grant a consent agreement to Quinn. However, MacLeod added, he and the board would at least discuss the request if Quinn makes one.
"Looking at precedent, the board takes the time to listen to anyone and everyone," he said. "We take democracy seriously."
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Quinn said while he may be the fourth applicant, he is confident he will be the second to open a dispensary in the community.
“We already have a building that we are ready to move into,” he said. “It needs little outfitting. We are six months away from opening our doors.”
Hazy Hill Farm, the second successful applicant, is aiming to open its new shop at 1616 Post Road this August, according to David Stephenson, who owns the Portland-based business.
A representative of the third applicant approved to open a dispensary in the plaza at 279 Post Road could not be reached for comment.
Quinn also said his business is a local one — something he said the town should take into account. Currently, Marks Organix comprises a medical marijuana store in Kittery and two cultivation centers in York.
Quinn said the idea of the town allowing an out-of-state company, such as Curaleaf, to open in the community but denying that opportunity to a local business is “ludicrous.”
The Planning Board approved Quinn’s application in early May. From there, Quinn campaigned against the proposed ordinance, posting signs along Route 1 that urged voters to reject it at the polls.
This article originally appeared on Portsmouth Herald: Marks Organix fights to open marijuana shop in Wells despite cap
