SOUTH PORTLAND, Maine - South Portland officials have adopted a temporary ban on all recreational marijuana businesses.
The decision made Monday night by city councilors puts a hold on zoning and licensing for recreational marijuana use along with delaying retailers and social clubs from coming into the city.
Maine voters narrowly approved legalizing recreational marijuana in November. Legalization would require a regulatory structure that would take months to implement.
In the meantime, South Portland Mayor Patricia Smith tells The Portland Press Herald the city will use the six-month moratorium to determine zoning rules, licensing and permitting procedures for the new businesses. The moratorium has a retroactive start date of Nov. 21.
The Biddeford City Council is scheduled to vote Tuesday on a 180-day moratorium on all recreational marijuana businesses.
