RICHMOND

Richmond residents will attend a special town meeting Wednesday at 6 p.m. at the Marcia Buker Elementary School to vote on a marijuana moratorium ordinance.

The proposed moratorium applies to retail marijuana establishments and retail marijuana social clubs, which were included in the citizen petition bill legalization recreational marijuana which Mainers passed on Nov. 8.

The Marijuana Legalization Act authorizes municipalities to regulate the number of retail marijuana stores and the location and operation of retail marijuana social clubs and retail marijuana establishments — such as retail marijuana stores, cultivation and product manufacturing facilities.

The proposed Richmond moratorium states the town’s land use ordinance currently contains no regulations related to retail marijuana establishments or social clubs. It states in part that the unregulated location of these establishments in Richmond “raises legitimate and substantial questions about the impact of such establishments and social clubs in the town,” including questions of their compatibility with current uses and development in town.

While in place, no one can apply for any town approvals related to the establishments and uses covered by the moratorium.

The moratorium ordnance if enacted by voters Wednesday, is applicable as of Nov. 23, 2016 and will remain in effect for 180 days unless extended, repealed or modified by the Board of Selectmen. The moratorium is proposed to give the town time to draft amendments to the town’s current land use ordinance “to protect the public from health and safety risks.”

While the Marijuana Legalization Act included nine months for the state to develop rules implementing the law, House Bill 88 was introduced last week by state Rep. Louis Luchini, D-Ellsworth, and Senate President Michael Thibodeau, R-Winterport, which would delay implementation of portions of the law until Feb. 1, 2018.

If the bill is passed, still effective Jan. 30, people 21 years old or older could use, possess or transport up to 2.5 ounces of marijuana, and may consume marijuana in a private residence. They could also transfer and grow a limited amount of marijuana plants.

There are six articles on the special town meeting warrant including election of a moderator and the transfer of money in various accounts to new reserve funds.

Voters Wednesday will consider a special amusement permit ordinance, creating a new Peacock Beach reserve fund for operation costs, repairs and maintenance of the beach, and establishing a town vehicle reserve fund for the purchase and finance of town vehicle.

The last article asks Richmond voters to close and transfer all money in the cable TV franchise fee trust fund to a new cable TV reserve fund. All money in the cable TV general ledger account and revenue from the cable franchise agreement with Time Warner Cable Northeast LLC would also be transferred to this new reserve fund.

The article asks voters to authorize selectmen to use the money for public services “ deemed necessary and in the best interest of the town.”