Farley’s Cannabis Farm can switch from selling medical to recreational marijuana products. The Woolwich select board approved the change following a public hearing Monday evening, April 20. State licensing is conditional on town approval.

Residents Fred King and Sayra Small own and run the 127 Main St. business. The town ordinance requires them to pay a one-time $1,000 application fee. The annual renewal fee is $250.

The hearing in the town office lasted less than 10 minutes. Resident Greg Doak voiced the only opposition to the application. Doak referred to marijuana as a gateway to other drug use.

The business has been a licensed medical marijuana dispensary since 2014 and would be the town’s first to sell marijuana products for adult recreational use. Ordinances approved last year limit the number of retail stores selling recreational marijuana to three.

During their regular meeting, selectmen approved a 47-article warrant for the annual town meeting, which will be held at 6 p.m. Wednesday, May 26 in the Woolwich Central School gym on Nequasset Road.

Included is an article to consider adoption of a food sovereignty ordinance modeled on the Maine Food Sovereignty Act. The intent of the ordinance is to help preserve small family farms by letting them market surplus products without state licensing and inspection. These include milk and milk products including cheese, yogurt and ice cream; and maple syrup, cider and juice products, vegetables and baked goods; and canned goods like pickles, relishes and jams. The sale of meat, meat products and poultry is prohibited. Food products sold at farmers markets or other venues will still be subject to state regulation.

As stated, “The Town of Woolwich and all its personal entities shall be immune from claim and liability from any personal losses or damage resulting from the ordinance.” The ordinance will take effect following its adoption.

The board announced the annual town report will be dedicated to the town office staff: Town administrator Kim Dalton, Town Clerk Anthony Blasi and Tax Collector Candace Conrad.

Code Enforcement Officer Bruce Engert asked that Taste of Maine Restaurant’s request to place an inflatable lobster on its roof be removed from the agenda. Engert said in the past this has always come before the planning board for approval. 

“It’s treated as a new application every year, although last year due to the pandemic they didn’t have it on their roof,” he explained. The gigantic ruby red lobster balloon is used as a promotion and considered a sign, said Engert. The restaurant plans a May 6 reopening and is marking its 43rd season.