Maine folks who favored legalizing the sale and use of recreational marijuana were probably unaware of the problems state and local authorities would be facing. What many of them supported, for the most part, was for would-be users to legally possess small amounts in their own homes, and to be able to purchase it legitimately without breaking the law.

It all sounded simple enough to some, but it has produced many unanswered questions for state officials, various town boards, and law enforcement. How do you decide where in your town you’ll permit retail sales and/or land for the cultivation of medicinal marijuana? It makes good sense to have some controls over both.

While it was legal to possess and use recreational marijuana as of January 30, the state has delayed implementing many aspects of the new law until February 1, 2018 to give them time to devise some sort of a plan.  Southport, on the Boothbay peninsula, has decided not to authorize the sale of marijuana on the island, and several other Maine towns and cities are considering following suit, including Oakland, Skowhegan and Westbrook. Other towns are expected to consider becoming “dry towns,’’ and let marijuana users make their purchases elsewhere. Boothbay already has encountered questions with a new application and has delayed acting on the request twice. The city of Bangor is considering controlling marijuana sales by handling it themselves rather than authorizing retail shops throughout the city.

Some state officials are still questioning whether or not Maine’s Citizens Initiative can be implemented, arguing it goes against federal law, while supporters of the move to legalize marijuana argue that it’s perfectly legal.

We sympathize with towns and cities charged with the responsibility of deciding where, and how many, retail sales and growing sites will be permitted.It goes without saying that while sales may be orderly and without problems, likewise they can cause major headaches and not be welcomed by neighbors.

How the whole thing will play out, both on the state and local levels, remains to be seen, but what was assumed by many to be a simple piece of legislation may just turn out to be a major headache.