Waterville, Maine City Council Votes Not to Renew Local Pot Shop License Over Community Concerns

Citing incredibly loud music coming from the business that disturbs area neighbors, a community petition was filed with the Waterville City Council.

According to an article published by the Kennebec Journal, the Waterville City Council had taken up the issue of renewing the operating license of Bobby Buds on College Avenue back on September 3, 2024, though they decided to table the vote to September 17.

At the City Council meeting on Tuesday, Septembe 17, the board heard from area residents who said that the music coming from Bobby Buds is causing "ears to throb," the newspaper reported.

Area resident Debra Pullen spoke to the council saying that the business allegedly cranks its music to annoy an area neighbor who has had problems with the business in the past, according to the KJ.

The newspaper reported that a petition, that had garnered 11 signatures from area residents and was presented to the city, read in part,

“This behavior is unacceptable and we believe that the presence of Bobby Buds is detrimental to the well-being of our neighborhood and community. We urge the appropriate authorities to take immediate action to protect our community.”

Waterville Police Department's Sgt. Fleming told the council during the September 3 meeting that the department had responded to 12 calls about the business in 2023 and had already responded to 27 calls about them in 2024, according to the newspaper.

It was a number that had both residents and councilors concerned.

Finally, after hearing from both sides, the council took up the vote of renewing the retail marijuana license for Bobby Buds.

The KJ reported that the council voted unanimously 6-0 to not renew the license.

In addition to the Council vote, Waterville Police Chief Bill Bonney also did not approve of renewing the license, something the Kennebec Journal says is a must if they're going to be approved for renewal.

According to WMTW, legal marijuana was approved in Maine in 2016 and sales of it started in 2020.

Mainecanibis.org says there are over 200 licensed recreational marijuana dispensaries in the state.