Potential tax revenue attractive amid budget crunch.

ORLEANS — As the town faces a financial crunch that could require a general override of tax limits next year, officials are looking for ways to boost revenues. One option they plan to pursue is allowing retail marijuana stores.

“We are doing our due diligence to scrub through every opportunity,” Select Board Chairman Kevin Galligan said.

Voters could possibly see a $1 million override in 2022, and the tax revenue from a marijuana shop that could help offset that is just too good not to consider, according to Galligan.

“The revenue opportunity is significant,” he said. “It basically had to be looked at.”

The Planning Board is scheduled to hold a hearing on a zoning change that would allow retail stores in four zoning districts: the village center, industrial, general business and limited business. The proposed amendments would allow for up to three retail stores in town that could have the same hours as liquor license holders. Applicants would have to secure a special permit.

Currently, retail marijuana stores are not allowed in Orleans, although other types of marijuana businesses, such as cultivators and testing labs, are allowed.

The decision to ban retail shops was made in a narrow vote in 2018. Stephen Bornemeier brought a citizen’s petition to that fall town meeting, and the hotly contested article passed by 13 votes.

Zoning was crafted after the town meeting vote, and this potential new article could undo that. If the 2018 vote is any indication, an overturn could be tough. An article to make zoning changes would need a two-thirds majority vote.

Bornemeier said he was disappointed the town might have to go through the vote again. He maintains the stores are not a good fit for Orleans.

So far, Provincetown has the only recreational marijuana shops on Cape Cod. Nantucket and Wareham also have them; Mashpee has a medical dispensary. A majority of towns do not allow for retail stores. Provincetown, Truro, Wellfleet, Eastham, Brewster and Mashpee allow for them, and there are plans for several more stores on the Cape.

The Planning Board hearing on the zoning amendments is scheduled for Sept. 15, and the Select Board is scheduled to talk Wednesday about potential articles for a fall town meeting.

Whether town meeting decides to allow the retail operations or not, Galligan wanted to let residents have their say on the matter.

“It’s up to the voters,” he said.

 Follow Ethan Genter on Twitter: @EthanGenterCCT.