Portland, Maine, has amended its city code, allowing cannabis retail stores to sell non-marijuana infused beverages such as coffee and tea. This change, unanimously approved by the City Council, enables cannabis shops to operate similarly to restaurants when preparing non-alcoholic drinks.
The amendment is particularly beneficial for businesses like Higher Grounds, owned by Mark Barnett. This shop, which began as a regular coffee cafe in 2017, transitioned to selling cannabis products in 2020. Barnett noted that the inability to serve popular steamed milk beverages last year had a severe impact on his business.
With the new regulation, cannabis shops can now prepare and sell beverages to customers aged 21 and older, expanding their offerings and potential customer base. Barnett expressed that this change could help local cannabis businesses diversify their revenue streams amidst economic challenges. He emphasized the importance of this amendment for supporting struggling establishments in the downtown area.
According to city officials, the implementation of this amendment will incur a cost of $102,802, primarily due to the need for hiring an additional marijuana inspector. This inspector will ensure compliance with the new licensing requirements for the nearly 100 licensed cannabis businesses in Portland. Councilor Anna Bullett, who sponsored the amendment, indicated that the city would have needed to hire another inspector regardless due to the growing number of cannabis establishments.
The updated code now allows cannabis cafes to serve a range of non-infused drinks, marking a significant shift in the local cannabis industry landscape. This change follows the legalization of recreational marijuana in Maine in 2020, which has seen the emergence of over three dozen cannabis shops and cafes in the Portland area.
As the cannabis market continues to evolve, Portland’s decision to permit non-infused beverage sales reflects a broader trend towards integrating cannabis retail with traditional food and drink services, providing new opportunities for local businesses.
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