Penelope Overton

Press Herald

Penelope Overton writes about the lobster and marijuana industries in Maine, a mix of the iconic and the emerging, the economic powerhouse and the mysterious darkhorse. Just the right mix of old and new for a Maine transplant. Penny joined the Press Herald in 2016. She has covered politics and government, the environment and Indian Country in Florida, Connecticut, Arizona and Washington, D.C. Her favorite stories are when she gets to dive into a world where readers seldom venture. When she’s not newspapering, Penny and her young daughter like to hike, body surf, travel and explore new books, places, poems and people. She is plovertonpph on both Instagram and Snapchat.

Latest

Published
November 23, 2020

Maine records $1.4 million in recreational cannabis sales in first month

The average sale during an inaugural month limited by supply shortages and in-store purchase limits was about $66, state records show.
Published
November 20, 2020

Wellness Connection to open adult-use cannabis shop Monday in South Portland

The store marks the beginning of Maine’s largest marijuana company’s conversion from medical to recreational sales.
Published
November 4, 2020

Voters reject Portland’s cautious approach to retail marijuana

The elimination of a cap on cannabis stores in Maine’s largest city passes by a 6-percentage-point margin.
Published
October 26, 2020

Company failed to report screws found in its pizza dough

Scarborough-based It’ll Be Pizza didn’t report the complaints it got from 3 consumers in September until after a former employee was charged in October with putting razor blades in dough balls at Hannaford stores.
Published
October 23, 2020

Anti-masking rallies in Portland and Augusta planned Saturday

Organizers call for the arrest of six governors, including Gov. Janet Mills.
Published
October 21, 2020

State investigates Hannaford’s 2-month delay in reporting razor blades in pizza dough

The company blames a technical glitch for not reporting suspected tampering at its Sanford supermarket in August, but a state agriculture official says the agency should have been notified immediately.
Published
October 15, 2020

Hannaford failed consumers in tampering case, says food safety lawyer

An attorney who advises food-related businesses says the grocer put customers at risk and delayed the suspect’s arrest by not reporting the first case of adulterated pizza dough.
Published
October 9, 2020

After long wait, Mainers revel in first day of recreational pot sales

Long lines formed outside some of the 6 stores that opened Friday, and the limited supply and high prices didn’t dampen the spirits of those who turned out to celebrate the freedom to buy marijuana legally.
Published
October 7, 2020

Once shut out, Maine cannabis industry now eligible for sustainable energy grants

Efficiency Maine voted 5-2 Wednesday to allow state-legal marijuana businesses to apply for energy efficiency program grants.
Published
October 4, 2020

Maine’s marijuana market opening could be a letdown for many

The state’s recreational cannabis market is set to finally open Friday, but few stores will be, and supplies are expected to be extremely limited.