Portland cannabis shops can now offer beverages that do not contain marijuana, such as lattes. This change follows the legalization of recreational marijuana sales in Maine in 2020, which led to the establishment of over 36 cannabis shops and cafes in the Portland area. Previously, these businesses were restricted from serving prepared drinks until the recent amendment to the city’s regulations.
Mark Barnett, the owner of Higher Grounds, a coffee shop turned cannabis retailer, expressed that the inability to sell his popular steamed milk beverages had a detrimental effect on his business. Barnett, who transitioned from a traditional coffee shop to a marijuana retail store in 2020, described the situation as causing “severe economic pain.”
The amendment, supported by City Councilor Anna Bullett, aims to assist cannabis shops in diversifying their revenue amid ongoing economic challenges. Barnett emphasized that this change could provide necessary support for struggling cannabis businesses in downtown Portland.
The city will incur an expense of approximately $102,802 to hire an additional marijuana inspector to oversee compliance with the new regulations. This step addresses the need for increased oversight as Portland currently has nearly 100 licensed marijuana businesses, exceeding the current inspector’s capacity.
Councilor Bullett noted that with the evolving landscape of cannabis legalization, adjustments to regulations are sometimes necessary. “When you legalize cannabis statewide, you have to create new rules, and sometimes those rules need to be updated as circumstances change,” she explained.
With the amendment in place, Portland’s cannabis shops are now positioned to offer a wider range of products, potentially improving their financial stability and attracting more customers.
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