WEST PARIS — The Board of Selectmen will add to the March 4 annual town meeting warrant an article calling for a ban on retail marijuana clubs and stores.

“This proposal has nothing to do with what you do in private homes,” Town Manager Wade Rainey told those at Thursday evening’s public hearing. “It would only apply to social clubs, retail and cultivation. It has nothing to do with medical marijuana.”

Rainey said officials were advised by the town’s lawyers that because “we have no comprehensive plan and no zoning, the thing to do is ban it. Once the state figures it out, then bring it back to the town (voters).”

The state law passed in November 2016 gives legislators up to nine months to adopt rules for licensing retail establishments and social clubs for recreational use of marijuana.

Another aspect of the law gives municipalities the authority to prohibit such establishments.

“The town voted not to legalize it, so we decided we needed to look at this proposal,” Selectman Mike Grass said.

Planning Board member Diane Rainey said, “The Planning Board thought this should be brought before the people.”

In response to a question by Ralph Brown, Rainey said any ordinance “can be changed at a special town meeting and any change would be in effect as of when it passes.”

Before the hearing, the board:

• Appointed Caleb White to the Budget Committee, which will meet with selectmen at 5 p.m. Wednesday, Jan. 18;

• Appointed Hoisington and Bean, a public accounting firm in Norway, as town auditor;

• Appointed Wayne Kennedy to the West Paris Water District board of trustees until the annual town meeting; and

• Appointed Grass to the Hugo Heikkinen Trust Fund board of directors. Interest from the fund is used for the town library.