PRESQUE ISLE, Maine — September 25, 2024 — Matt Nida, manager of Royal Leaf Apothecary in Presque Isle, is calling for a sale on September 25th. The store is one of two recreational marijuana stores in the city. (Paula Brewer | Star Herald)
When city officials approved Presque Isle's first marijuana dispensary in 2020, they sought to capitalize on the next big thing. The industry has exploded and the city is currently considering a ninth cannabis business.
Maine legalized recreational marijuana in 2016 and currently has 230 stores, 129 cultivation facilities and 104 manufacturers licensed for adult use, according to the state Office of Cannabis Policy. Revenue grew from just over $4 billion in 2020 to $217 billion last year.
In fact, cannabis sales rival Maine's top agricultural products. According to the U.S. Department of Agriculture, the 2023 potato harvest was worth $291.5 billion, blueberries $46 billion, and milk $116.7 billion.
With eight licensed cannabis businesses and another on the way, Presque Isle appears to be the cannabis capital of Aroostook County. Many local cities either ban marijuana entirely or only allow medical stores to operate. So why did Star City's leaders embrace a recreational cannabis business when others rejected? The answer is simple. Council President Kevin Freeman said: Downtown doesn't grow with vacant lots.
“Presque Isle has had quite a few vacant storefronts that have been vacant for a long time, years in fact,” Freeman said. “The City Council looked at the vacant storefronts and felt it was an opportunity for economic development in Presque Isle.”
Coincidentally or not, Presque Isle's Main Street has blossomed with vibrancy and new stores over the past four years. New entrants include a clothing store, redevelopment, a new restaurant at the Northeastland Hotel, a home goods store and a men's hair salon. Among them are marijuana stores.
A portion of Presque Isle's zoning map shows three main zones where marijuana businesses can locate. Business Zone (B, green), Retail Business Zone (RB, pink, including Main Street and Route 1), and Downtown Retail Business Zone (DRB, red). (Courtesy of Presque Isle City)
Presque Isle's eight cannabis businesses include the first Northern Maine Flower, as well as four medical stores: Cloud 9, Richardson's Remedies and Star City Wellness. Full Bloom Cannabis and Royal Leaf Apothecary sell recreational pot. There are also two cultivation facilities in the city.
The City Council approved the ninth project last month. Chad Junkins, owner of organic garden store Here We Grow and marijuana cultivation facility Northern Euphoria, plans to close Here We Grow and open a medical marijuana shop in its place.
Presque Isle is one of the few municipalities in the Aroostook area that has approved the sale of recreational pot.
Caribou, which has voted to ban retail cannabis stores within city limits, has two dispensaries: Safe Alternatives on Presque Isle Road and Richardson's Remedies on Bog Road. The city of Houlton recently adjusted its regulations to allow only medical stores to survive, and the city of Fort Fairfield banned marijuana businesses completely.
The City Council passed a marijuana ordinance four years ago, allowing the cultivation and sale of recreational pot. Grand Isle approved recreational sales three years ago.
Steve Rusnak, owner of Full Bloom Cannabis, opened the county's first recreational marijuana store in Grand Isle in 2021 and quickly expanded to Presque Isle, opening the city's first cannabis retail store. .
GRAND ISLE, Maine — Steve Rusnak of Full Bloom Cannabis stands among marijuana plants growing under a special yellow light at his cultivation facility in Grand Isle. He opened Presque Isle's first recreational pot shop in 2021. (Courtesy of Steve Rusnack)
That same year, the city's second entertainment store, Royal Leaf Apothecary, opened. Matt Nida, one of the store's managers, said the store sees a lot of foot traffic from tourists and Canadians.
“It's growing every day and has a very steady upward trend,” Nida said. “The business community has responded very well and is supporting each other’s stores.”
When Presque Isle first accepted marijuana, officials reported little opposition. Some people wonder if so many pot shops in town can survive, but they all remain open. And with another project in the works, Star City's cannabis commerce appears to be thriving.
City Council President Freeman said there has been no talk of limiting the number of marijuana businesses. He said there are no restrictions on pizza restaurants or tractor shops, for example, and it's not the city council's job to restrict competition.
He said the city council has not received any complaints about any of the projects.
“These are stores where the lights are on, employees are working inside, and owners are investing tens of thousands of dollars in renovations to keep their businesses afloat and contributing to our nation's tax base. '' Freeman said. “It’s all a plus for me.”
