The Edgecomb Planning Board is advising selectmen to just say no to a proposed town marijuana moratorium. The board voted 5-0 April 20 to send a letter requesting selectmen remove a proposed moratorium slated for the May town meeting warrant. During an April 13 public hearing, town officials explained the proposed moratorium protected itself against provisions not included in the state’s, which expires February 2018.

The state one allows recreational use for adults over 21 years old, possession of 2.5 ounces of pot, and to grow their own marijuana. The moratorium prohibits selling and growing retail marijuana.

But the proposal has caused concern within the community, according to Planning Board Chairman Jack French. During the April 20 board meeting, he reported several residents believe a local moratorium would put those seeking state licenses to grow retail marijuana commercially at a disadvantage. If the town adopts a six-month moratorium and selectmen extend it another six months, the ban would last until May 2018. The state plans on distributing a limited number of licenses next February.

“The state will distribute licenses for about 800,000 square feet. It is a first come, first serve basis. So if our moratorium runs until May, residents won’t be eligible to receive licenses. Several residents have spoken to town officials expressing concern about the moratorium and want the selectmen to remove it from the warrant,” French said.

The proposed moratorium is on the April 24 selectmen’s meeting agenda. French encouraged the five planning board members and two alternates to attend the meeting.

In other action, the board unanimously approved a permit for a Merry Island Road cottage expansion. The property is owned by Jan Jaynes whose application called for adding 240 square feet to the cottage. The board approved her application without Maine Department of Environmental Protection approval. Damariscotta architect Michelle Phelps represented Jaynes at the meeting. She reported DEP needs only to approve the proposal’s footprint and was waiting for town approval prior to issuing a permit.

The board will meet next at 6:30 p.m., Thursday, May 4, in the municipal building.