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| The Town of Windham will use fee collected from adult retail and medical marijuana facilities locally to fund drug education programs and also create a scholarship for a student pursuing a drug counseling or addictions treatment career. PHOTO BY ED PIERCE |
Starting back when voters in Maine first approved a statewide referendum in 2016 to legalize marijuana for recreational use for adults over the age of 21, the Windham Town Council has remained committed to using licensing fees imposed by the town for retail and medical marijuana facilities for drug education and drug prevention programs. That priority is about to be realized next month as councilors have approved a plan and a process to award grants to applicants and create a scholarship for a deserving Windham student seeking to earn a degree in drug counseling or addiction treatment.
During the July 13 Windham Town Council meeting, councilors approved a proposal to amend the ordinance regarding Marijuana License Fee Fund Educational Grant Program. Under the measure, the Windham Marijuana License Committee has developed an application process and established criteria for distribution of designated funds to public health and safety programs that service Windham residents.
According to Marge Govoni, a member of the Marijuana License Committee, grants will be made to applicants after seeking input from staff, local experts and stakeholders, such as Be The Influence, D.A.R.E. and others, with fund disbursements issued following approval by the Windham Town Council.
Govoni said that along with the grants, which can be made to educators, community groups, scout troops and others, town councilors also have approved using marijuana license fees to fund an annual scholarship program for a Windham student who is planning on a career in drug counseling, addiction treatment or a similar field.
Councilors approved a web page for applicants to apply for grants digitally and the application form, which was also reviewed by the town attorney.
The committee is hoping to award grants monthly possibly starting by mid-September if there are applicants for funding, Govoni said.
“It’s a win-win for the community as a whole and for the children living here,” she said. “This is going to help those who will look at issues of drug prevention from a different angle.”
The grant process also includes a reapplication process for those who do not receive grants the first time they apply for funding.
Windham Town Manager Barry Tibbetts said councilors should be commended for their approach to dealing with this issue.
“The council supports the educational aspect of having marijuana licensing fees to be applied toward informing our youth about drug education,” Tibbetts said. “The education of our youth about drugs will support them in making good decisions throughout their youth and beyond.”
Tammy Hodgman, the Town of Windham’s executive assistant and website coordinator, said that the town will have all information regarding the grant along with an application posted on its website by mid-August and will promote the program extensively.
“We will place an ad in the paper, as well as advertise on Facebook,” Hodgman said. “The link to the page will be on the bottom of our homepage initially to draw attention to the program, beneath the ‘Community’ subheading and cross-posted beneath ‘How Do I… - Apply’ subheading on our website.”
She said the educational program grant applications will be submitted to the Town Manager’s office and then be reviewed by the Marijuana License Fee Committee for their review and deliberation.
“They plan to meet once a month to review applications received,”
Hodgman said. “The committee will then let us know when they would like to have
the council hear their recommendations and approve funds at a regularly
scheduled meeting.”
Govoni said a similar process will be conducted once a scholarship has been set up by Windham High School for applicants. She said at a minimum, the scholarship will be at least $1,000.
Because marijuana licensing fees are collected throughout the year on a staggered basis, available funding for grants and the scholarship will be on a continuing basis, Govoni said.
When Windham first implemented its Marijuana Ordinance in September 2020, a fee schedule was created by councilors specifically to fund substance misuse and drug educational programs for community members and children.
Those annual licensing fees include Adult-Use Marijuana Store $2,500; Marijuana Cultivation Facility $1,000; Marijuana Manufacturing Facility $1,000; Medical Marijuana Registered Caregiver On-site cultivation $300; Medical Marijuana Registered Caregiver (Home Occupation) with cultivation not conducted on site $150; Medical Marijuana Caregiver Retail Store $2,500; Marijuana Testing Facility $1,000. <
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