Before and After: Portland, Maine, Dispensaries Open Shops in Well-Known Landmarks

In 2016, Maine voters said yes to question one on the November ballot, allowing the retail sale and taxation of cannabis. As soon as the new law took effect, stores selling adult-use cannabis started popping up all over the state like weeds. Get it?

With the door open to sell cannabis in Maine, those who had a dream of owning a store were looking for that perfect location at the right price. Some entrepreneurs even set up shop in some very well-known landmarks in Portland.

Here are five cannabis stores currently in business in Portland, and what was in the buildings before they moved in.

Mobil Station - Washington Avenue

This gas station closed in 2017. A few other businesses at this intersection are no more like Walgreens and Rite-Aid.

Today, it's occupied by Local Leaf, and they even kept the gas pump canopy and turned where the pumps were into parking.

Wok-Inn - Forest Avenue

The Wok-Inn closed after 30 years at Morril's Corner in Portland. Their sign with the flaming wok was iconic.

Today, it's where Sweet Dirt does business. They kept the sign (including the flaming wok), which could be interpreted differently today.

Dunkin - St. John Street

Dunkin built a new, modern building right next-door to where their old one had been for years on St. John Street. The old one was closed and sold.

Today, it's Rose Mary Jane, but still shows signs of the old Dunkin'.

Stavros Pizzeria & Deli - Forest Avenue

Stavros was the last tenant in the building on Forest Avenue before it became a cannabis store, but many may remember the Forest Avenue House of Pizza that was in this spot.

Today, it is Vice Cannabis, and all I can hear in my head is the Miami Vice theme.

Emery Window Shade Company - St. John Street

Emery Window Shade Company is now a relic of the past. The building is on the corner of St. John and Washburn Avenue, and looked straight out of the 1950s before it was renovated with a new modern look by Grass Roots Marijuana.