Mainebiz

V I E W P O I N T S W W W. M A I N E B I Z . B I Z 3 J U N E 2 7 , 2 0 2 2 From the Editor Featured @ Mainebiz.biz W hatever position you may have taken on the legalization of adult-use cannabis in Maine, it's here and it's happening. Stores are proliferating in 34 municipalities around Maine. Retailers are selling cannabis at a rate of $10 million a month through the first five months of this year. Legal sales of adult-use cannabis in Maine could grow from $82 million in 2021 to $300 million by 2025, according to one industry consultant. In this issue, we delve into some key areas of the marijuana business, looking at the effect on the marketplace, store design and banking. We start the issue with a look at the design of retail shops. ere was a conscious effort to move away from the "head shop" look of the 1960s. In saome cases, the adult-use retail shops in Maine are sleek looking, with innovative design features. And because the businesses work mainly in cash, they're built like fortresses, with secured areas. For more, see Senior Writer Laurie Schreiber's story, "e architecture of cannabis," which starts on Page 12. Staff Writer Jessica Hall looked at the effect of retail sales on the town of Manchester, which has four cannabis retailers and a pop- ulation of 2,500. Retailers there aren't concerned about market saturation, saying everyone offers some- thing different. Her story, "Can-do economics," starts on Page 16. Here's where things get particularly tricky with the cannabis business. While it's legal in Maine, it's still illegal on a federal level, which is why banks are still prohibited from doing business with the marijuana industry. ere are liter- ally trunkloads of cash associated with the industry — an inherent danger, many members of Congress argue. Mainebiz contributor Catie Joyce-Bulay looks at Congress' attempt to pass the SAFE Banking Act, which would allow banks into the cannabis industry. Her story, "Cannabis businesses and banks stuck in limbo," starts on Page 18. Peter Van Allen pvanallen@mainebiz.biz Get Maine's business news daily at mainebiz.biz and on Twitter (@Mainebiz). Below is our most popular content for the period from June 3–17. For a daily digest of Maine's top business news, sign up for the Mainebiz Daily Report at mainebiz.biz/enews 1. In Falmouth, 142-year-old Town Landing Market sells to Portland restaurateurs 2. Maine's economy ranks among 10 worst in the US, new study says 3. Target market: Commercial development sizzles in Auburn, adding to L-A region's appeal 4. After neighborhood pushback on Roux's B&M site, developer scales back proposal 5. Two Maine credit unions agree to merge, with aim to serve more farmers 6. After eatery absence, a restaurant is coming again to Brunswick food-and-art venue Frontier 7. A $22M condo development in Portland aims for completion by year's end 8. 'We can't go back': Maine health care leaders talk of pandemic's tough lessons, silver linings 9. Development of untapped Pepperell Mill building begins, while another goes up for sale 10. 4 Maine CEOs among those nationwide demanding US Senate action on gun safety P H O T O / P E T E R VA N A L L E N 1 I was catching up on back issues of Mainebiz when I saw a quote from Kerem Durdag stating "internet access and affordability is a human right" (in a story, "GWI gets $9M in grant funding for high-speed internet in three towns"). Not only is this incorrect, but it's irresponsible journalism to pull this out as a highlight. Human rights are those we are born with; they are inalienable. Human rights are things we have that impose no obligation on anyone else. Human rights are universal and timeless — as valid 200 years ago as 200 years from now. Free speech is a human right; the right to com- municate your thoughts and feelings imposes no obligation on anyone to listen. Mr. Durdag might consider internet access and affordability as human necessities, but they are not rights. e distinction is simple to make: Shelter, food and clothing are widely considered human necessities — but they are not human rights. Robert Chatfield President and CEO Free To Choose Network, Cape Elizabeth To the Editor Legal counsel from seed to sale. bernsteinshur.com Be informed. BE SHUR. We provide the advice that businesses and individuals need in order to succeed in the cannabis industry. Ready or not, cannabis is a growing industry in Maine Shelter, food and clothing … are necessities not human rights. — Robert Chatfield

• Cover