LUDLOW, Maine — Voters in Ludlow approved a ban on the sale and cultivation of marijuana at the polls Tuesday, making it illegal for any businesses to operate in the town.
In addition, a move to withdraw from SAD 70 failed to garner enough support from residents to move forward.
Ludlow Town Manager Diane Hines said she was “extremely pleased” with the number of voters who turned out Tuesday. A total of 197 ballots were cast in Tuesday’s election out of 312 registered voters in the community. By comparison, 233 voters participated in last year’s presidential election, when many more people typically vote.
Ludlow voters narrowly approved the marijuana ban, with 108 in favor and 89 opposed.
Hines said the ban goes into effect immediately, but does not impact medical marijuana.
“The ordinance reads that no person or organization shall develop or operate a business that engages in retail or wholesale sales of a retail marijuana product,” she said. “Nothing in this ordinance is intended to prohibit any lawful use, possession or conduct pursuant to the Maine Medical Use of Marijuana Act.”
The bid to withdraw from SAD 70 failed by a tie vote of 98 to 98. A two-thirds majority was needed for the municipality to withdraw, Hines said. Because of that two-thirds requirement, no recount was anticipated.
Ludlow has been a member of SAD 70 since 1973. By withdrawing from SAD 70 and switching to RSU 29, Ludlow officials had hoped to save about $44,000 per year to educate their students.
SAD 70 serves the communities of Amity, Cary Plantation, Haynesville, Hodgdon, Linneus, Ludlow and New Limerick. RSU 29 serves Houlton, Hammond, Littleton and Monticello.
“The SAD 70 Committee and administration is pleased with the vote by the Ludlow residents,” Superintendent Scott Richardson said. “Given the fact there were possibly savings to taxpayers, it is understandable that some residents would find that option appealing, but just as many residents were showing their support for the current school system of which they have been a part for many years. The relationships that have been developed within the schools with teachers and staff and the family atmosphere that continues to be a priority are what led residents to vote in support of this continued arrangement. We will continue to work at providing a quality education at a reasonable cost to taxpayers.”
