Leo Paquette, co-owner of Fire on Fore—the first medical and recreational cannabis store in Portland's historic Old Port—emphasizes the importance of such educational initiatives. Paquette, who also owns Firefly Organics, believes that formal education will help new entrepreneurs navigate the complexities of the cannabis industry, from regulatory challenges to banking and taxation issues. He highlights that cannabis businesses face unique hurdles, including market saturation and increasing operational costs, making education crucial for sustainability.

In a landscape of doughy, gassy, kushy strains, sometimes you need something a little fruity. Maine remains one of the cannabis world’s best-kept secrets—Firefly Organics is the in-house brand of the independent Fire on Fore dispensary in Portland, ME.

—AW

Fire on Fore made history as the first medical marijuana storefront in Portland’s historic Old Port, and in 2021, it became the neighborhood's first recreational cannabis shop. Co-owners Thomas Mourmouras and Leo Paquette transitioned from medical to adult-use sales, a move they saw as inevitable with the legalization of recreational cannabis in Maine.

The Grand Opening of the first medical marijuana store in the Old Port was a huge success today. “Fire on Fore,” at 367 Fore Street, drew people with the proper identification needed to purchase the marijuana permitted them. although there were others who came out of curiousity and to congratulate Leo on his store opening.

PORTLAND, Maine — The first and only permitted medical marijuana storefront in Portland's Old Port is up and running. Fire on Fore opened in March and is getting ready for a grand opening on Saturday. New rules allow caregivers the ability to set up retail stores with municipal approval and state licensing. The shop's owner says many customers are turned away because they come in thinking it's a recreational marijuana store. He says it's a place for caregivers to provide their product and get retail exposure.

Fire on Fore, the first medical marijuana store in Portland's historic Old Port, celebrated its grand opening on April 20, 2019, a date significant in cannabis culture. The store, located in Portland's prime retail area, aims to transition to recreational marijuana sales once Maine finalizes its regulations. This strategic positioning in the Old Port, alongside other local businesses like Pot & Pan Kitchen, highlights the growing medical marijuana market in Portland, Maine. Entrepreneurs in the area are preparing for an expanded industry, capitalizing on the delay in recreational marijuana regulations to establish strong local presences before out-of-state competition arrives.