A new medical marijuana caregivers’ business will be opening in Edgecomb Sept. 1. Downeast Medicinals received planning board approval Aug. 17 to begin operating on Route 1. The business is owned by David A. Boucher and Anthony M. Casella, the son of the building’s owner, Anthony J. Casella.

The state-certified medical marijuana business will have two caregivers – Boucher and fiancee Kristina Nugent. The location previously housed a karate studio.

Besides the caregiver business, Downeast Medicinals will sell various CBDs (cannabidiols), which are chemicals derived from the industrial hemp plant producing health benefits without the psychoactive element. The second part of the business will sell various retail  CBD products associated with medical marijuana such as coffee, tea, ointments, soaps, gummies, and vapes with CBD cartridges.

Boucher and Nugent became certified caregivers earlier this year. They will handle all of the medical consulting with patients who have been given a medical marijuana card from a physician.

Boucher and Anthony M. Casella have known each other for years. Casella is one of dozens of Boucher’s friends who have benefited from using medical marijuana.

“I’ve seen the positive impact it’s had which led to a better understanding about it,” he said. Boucher and Nugent will work with one employee in the caregiver business. The facility will also be used by a nurse practitioner who will also be doing patient certifications. And the business will also host informational seminars about medical marijuana. Boucher believes there is a place for alternative medicines in medical care. He believes patients are getting better through using CBDs which don’t provide harmful side effects and addiction from traditional pharmaceuticals.

“There is a place for both and I think this provides a healthy balance,” he said.

Downeast Medicinals became a reality after a conversation Boucher had with Casella and Casella’s father.“We all had seen the positive impact of CBDs and thought this would be a good spot for a medical marijuana business,” Boucher said.

Boucher, 42, is a Taunton, Massachusetts native. He also owns Lost Orchard Brewing Co. in Gardiner. He is the nephew of David M. Boucher, an alternate member on the Edgecomb planning board. David A. Boucher assisted his relatives several years ago in moving to Maine.

“I spent some time here and liked it a lot,” he said. “I like the way of life and it’s a nice community. So when it came time to relocate, I came to Maine.” Boucher moved to Maine in 2004. He previously worked in Edgecomb at Sheepscot Harbor Village resort as a manager.