The Standish Town Council passed an ordinance Tuesday night that places a variety of restrictions on medical marijuana dispensaries.

There are no dispensaries in Standish, and according to Town Manager Gordon Billington, the town has not received any applications to construct a dispensary. Maine legalized the use of medical marijuana in 1999, and amended the law in 2009 and 2011 to allow dispensaries and commercial grow operations.

The ordinance, submitted March 10 by Councilor Michael Blanck, allows only one medical marijuana dispensary in Standish, and requires that the dispensary be sited at least 250 feet from all schools, houses of religious worship, recreation facilities, halfway houses, correctional facilities, methadone clinics, substance abuse treatment centers, and licensed child-care facilities.

In a 4-0 vote, the council passed the ordinance Tuesday night. Councilors Blanck, Wayne Newbegin and Margaret Spencer did not attend the meeting.

According to Billington, the ordinance represents an effort to control any future development of dispensaries in Standish, and to limit the emission of odors associated with marijuana cultivation and distribution to specific areas.

The ordinance also limits hours of operation from 6 a.m.-6 p.m., and requires extensive surveillance cameras, alarm systems and deadbolt locks. It prohibits on-site marijuana consumption, with the exception of dispensary employees who are qualifying patients, who are allowed to consume edible marijuana on the premises. The proposed ordinance also requires that the dispensary’s public communications use the term “medical marijuana” – not simply “marijuana” – to describe the products on sale.