Two men with familiar names want to open a medical marijuana caregiving facility on Route 1. On Aug. 3, the Edgecomb Planning Board reviewed Anthony J. Casella’s, son of Anthony M. Casella, and David A. Boucher’s, nephew of planning board alternate Dave Boucher, proposal for operating a state-licensed medical marijuana facility.

The two men’s proposal is called Down East Medicinals. The proposal location is in the building which formerly housed a karate studio and where a virtual golf business and salon now operate. The two men plan on leasing space from Anthony J. Casella’s father. The applicants are seeking a change of use permit. Their application was ruled incomplete because they couldn’t provide a legal interest in the property. The board request a signed lease and letter of authority from the property owner indicating a legal interest. 

David A. Boucher owns 49 percent of the business and Anthony M. Casella owns the remaining share. The men are planning on operating a medical marijuana storefront along with a patient and learning center. Boucher spoke on behalf of the business because Casella has stage 4 cancer and wasn’t able to attend.

“We want to work with medical practitioners and patients and host seminars educating people about what medical marijuana is,” Boucher said. “The owner (Anthony M. Casella) has been helped by the amazing healing powers of medical marijuana. I am also a fan because I’ve seen how it’s helped people.”

Boucher added Down East Medicinals has no intention of selling recreational marijuana when it becomes legal in February 2018. “We are interested only in selling medical marijuana,” he said.

Down East Medicinals would sell products made with cannabidiols, which are chemicals derived from the industrial hemp plant producing health benefits without the psychoactive element. Boucher will submit a complete application in two weeks. The business plans to host an Aug. 17 open house for local medical professionals. The business is scheduled to open Sept. 1, according to Boucher.

In other action, the board voted 5-0 authorizing a Shore Road man a shoreland permit for an erosion stabilizing wall and readjusting of an existing wall. Kenneth Boudin requested constructing a stone wall approximately 45 feet long, back filled with crush rock and gravel. The application also requested permission to repair or replace a 65-foot wall with boulders. His proposal also calls for planting vegetation as an erosion control measure.

The board also approved a change of use permit for a new art gallery. Down East Gallery is owned by Brad and Danielle Betts. They opened their business on July 1 without receiving planning board approval. The Betts purchased the property last year and received approval from the code enforcement officer. But a new ordinance approved by residents in May required the gallery owners to seek planning board approval for a change of use permit.

The gallery is located at 146 Boothbay Road.  The property includes a house which displays artwork created by Brad Betts and a barn the couple plans to use for local musical entertainment. The couple also wants to grow grapes and hopes to make wine in five years.

The board members and alternates also received state and federal tax forms for their stipend pay. In May, residents approved paying members and alternates $100 per year. Voters also reduced the chairman’s pay from $1,200 to $500. In previous years, only the chairman received compensation.

The board will meet next at 6:30 p.m. Thursday, Aug. 17 in the municipal building.