Wilton approves retail medical cannabis permit

WILTON — The Planning Board granted a permit for a retail medical marijuana storefront Thursday. The store will also sell soil, nutrients and growing science materials.

Alden Sylvester of Fayette and a business partner plan to open Power Plant at the former Hayden Shoe Store, 410 U.S. Route 2 East. Both are registered caregivers, Sylvester said.

The permit for medical marijuana sales is contingent on the effective date of a new law and securing applicable state permits, such as fire inspection.

In July, the Legislature enacted LD 1539, an amendment to the “Maine Medical Use of Marijuana Act.” In part, the law authorizes registered caregivers to operate medical marijuana retail stores if a municipality has voted to generally allow them.

The law is expected to become effective Dec. 12, Code Enforcement Officer Charles Lavin said.

At the town meeting in June, voters adopted an amended zoning ordinance which allows for marijuana retail sales, manufacturing and cultivation. The ordinance does not distinguish between adult-use and medical marijuana establishments.

“We are going to follow all the rules enacted by the state,” Sylvester said. “There will be separately keyed locks to the bud storage room and we will have the necessary cameras in place. Whatever the present set of rules that we are required to follow, we will follow.”

Sylvester said they hope to open the store Dec. 1 for soil and nutrient sales.

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Wilton Code Enforcement Officer Charles Lavin and Planning Board members Bill McCrillis, Michael LeClair and Angela Werner discuss a Use Permit application for a soil, nutrients, growing science, and retail medical marijuana store. (Dee Menear/Franklin Journal)