Owner of proposed cannabis shop in Sedgwick fields residents’ questions

Brian Sherwell says his plans to open a recreational dispensary “could draw a lot of people to the town and make opportunities for other businesses to happen”

Brian Sherwell speaks with residents at a recent informational meeting about his pot shop plans. Photo by Tricia Thomas.

Feb. 11, 2026

By Tricia Thomas

SEDGWICK—More than 30 residents attended a Feb. 4 meeting to learn more about the proposed siting of a recreational marijuana dispensary in the town. If approved by town voters next month, Sedgwick resident Brian Sherwell hopes to open the shop in an undetermined location later this year.

Sherwell, who was born in Blue Hill and moved back to the peninsula about two years ago, has asked the town to consider “opting in” to a Maine law that allows recreational-use cannabis dispensaries to operate in the state. The upcoming vote in Sedgwick on March 6 is Sherwell’s second attempt at opening such a dispensary. Last year, voters in Blue Hill turned down—760 to 582—a similar “opt in” proposal.

Sherwell told those gathered at the Sedgwick Ridge Road fire station that passage of the town referendum would prompt the select board to draft an ordinance that would govern the shop and its operation. That ordinance, in turn, would require a public hearing and subsequent town vote, Sherwell said.

While Sherwell said it was “unfortunate” that the opt-in question was rejected by Blue Hill voters last November, their “no” vote gave him and his wife, Abril, time to rethink their plan.

“We talked about it. We re-centered, and we said ‘let’s bring it home.’ This is where we wanted to have it originally. We forced ourselves to look, for economic reasons, elsewhere, but now we’re where we want to be, and we want to make sure we’re wanted,” Sherwell said.

“We don’t want to be in a place where people don’t want us,” Sherwell added. “We’re here in this meeting, talking about what we want to do, because we want you to want us here.”

Sherwell likened the proposed shop, which would sell Maine-made cannabis products in leaf and processed forms, including gummies, tinctures and ointments, to other small businesses run by residents in the town.

“I see a lot of people of my generation that are returning to the area, coming here and starting new businesses, and I want to be part of that, too,” Sherwell said. “I think this could be a good cornerstone that could draw a lot of people to the town and make opportunities for other businesses to happen.”

During the hour-long meeting, the Sherwells fielded questions about the products they would sell, their safety, potential locations for the shop, other types of businesses they’ve considered starting, and any financial benefits the town may realize if it opts in.

According to Sherwell and an FAQ he prepared for the town’s website, the shop would be required to sell cannabis-based products grown or manufactured in Maine. All products are tested and would not be marketed or sold to minors, he said. The town ordinance following a “yes” vote in March would help determine its eventual location and, ideally, the building would meld well with its surroundings, he said. State laws already prevent a shop from being sited near schools or day care centers, Sherwell added.

Sherwell also said that the business would pay municipal taxes, and could employ “two to three” full-time local workers and “three to four” part-timers. The costs to the town would be minimal, largely administrative and, possibly, reimbursable Sherwell said. According to his FAQ, Maine’s Office of Cannabis Policy reimburses qualifying municipalities up to $20,000 for legal and administrative costs associated with opting in. Sedgwick also can set its own licensing fees for the business, and would share in the statewide distribution of a 14-percent sales taxes on the products he would sell.

Sherwell, who works in marketing and has a background in education, said that he hasn’t seriously considered opening another type of business. Cannabis, he told the crowd, has surpassed blueberries and potatoes as Maine’s primary agricultural product. When asked by a resident what he would do if Sedgwick voters rejected the plan, Sherwell’s reply was lighthearted.

“Well, I guess you would condemn me to stay in the marketing field,” he joked to laughter from the room. “But we really want to do this, and we’re passionate about it.”

Abril Sherwell encouraged those gathered to provide input throughout the process.

“We live in Sedgwick and I can say, like he said, that we love this place,” Abril said. “But, it’s our community, so this is your opportunity to create what you want here.”

Additional information on Sherwell’s proposal is located on the Sedgwick town website.