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Upton selectmen meet Aug. 11 to add a warrant article to the Sept. 17 annual town meeting to ask if residents wish to repeal the town's marijuana ordinance. Seated at the table are, from left, Town Clerk Janet Blair, Selectman Dean Davis, Selectman Norm Beauvais and Selectboard Chair Wanda Hall. In the background is Michele Bouchard, who circulated the petition that resulted in the warrant article. (Courtesy of Alison Aloisio)

Upton residents will consider repealing an ordinance prohibiting recreational marijuana businesses in town at the annual town meeting Sept. 17.

The issue will be the subject of a public hearing Aug. 31 at 6 p.m. at the Upton School House on Mill Road off Route 26.

Selectmen decided Aug. 11 that the wording of a petition circulated by Michele Bouchard asking for a vote will serve as the warrant article: “Shall the Town of Upton vote to repeal the town ordinance prohibiting a person or entity from operating all, including but not limited to, adult use the sales, manufacturing and distribution of recreational marijuana products within the town of Upton, Maine?” 

The vote will be by written ballot. Bouchard’s petition garnered 16 signatures.

An unofficial hearing took place Aug. 10 and drew more than 30 people, town officials said. Vernon Malloch, the deputy director of operations for the Maine Office of Cannabis Policy, attended that meeting and provided information on the topic.

Selectmen said there was a useful exchange of information and views.

Copies of the current ordinance, approved in 2017, will be provided at the Aug. 31 hearing.

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