Wiscasset should not let Route 1 be the only place for marijuana manufacturing and testing facilities, ordinance review committee member Al Cohen said Monday night. Those businesses could be away from the public, while providing jobs and tax money, he said. That would be the goose that laid the golden egg, he said. 

Route 1 frontage would not make sense for them, Cohen said. He and others supported Gardiner Road as an option. Members still wanted the proposed ban on marijuana businesses on property within 1,000 feet of a school, childcare facility, or church; a municipal “safe zone” under state statute; ballfield, courthouse, or the municipal building. 

The ORC was further honing possible marijuana rules for selectmen to consider taking to voters.

The panel pulled as illegal a requirement that owners have been Wiscasset residents at least six months. Participants said requiring Maine residency would also be illegal.

Members discussed leaving application and license fees up to selectmen, having selectmen hold hearings on applications and letting selectmen get a consultant’s help at the applicant’s expense. And participants said the marijuana ordinance should note proposals also face planning board review under the site plan and land use ordinances.

Also Monday, the committee made Cohen its vice chair. Karl Olson is chair.