Katelyn Baker
Well-Known Member
As Watertown considers the possibility of allowing medical marijuana facilities to open, town officals are putting together guidelines for how the approval process can proceed.
On Tuesday, Town Council members approved a slate of items that the backers of any prospective medical marijuana dispensary will need to include in their application to open in Watertown.
Council's agreement needed
There are currently no medical marijuana dispensaries in Watertown. When formal proposals come before the council for review, council members will consider each case on its individual merits and vote to issue a Letter of Support or Non-Opposition that would allow the dispensary to open.
At the meeting, Councilor Angeline Kounelis said it wasn't the town's role to stop the consumption of medical marijuana. Under current laws, towns are not allowed to pass zoning ordinances that would block medical marijuana facilities.
"It's not an issue of whether [marijuana] should be used," she said. "That's between a patient and a physician."
However, the Massachusetts Department of Public Health will currently not approve any facility that does not receive a Letter of Support or Non-Opposition. This leaves the power to block facilities in the hands of each town, and could effectively prevent the advent of any dispensaries in the town at all.
"Failure to obtain a letter of this nature will stop the [dispensary] from going forward," Town Attorney Mark Reich said.
Reich said that the decision to allow such a facility is ultimately made by Watertown's elected officials.
Town to strike deals with dispensaries
Councilors also voted to require dispensary operators to bring a proposed agreement to town officials, along with their application, that would address any potential negative impacts the dispensary might have on the town.
A host agreement, Reich clarified, was an agreement between a potential facility and its host community. The elements contained therein were not only about monetary concerns, he said, but also addressed issues of the facility's integration into the community.
"These agreements are for their benefit, as well as the community's," he said.
Reich described many prospective dispensaries as "willing and eager to come to the table" to discuss how they might integrate themselves into their respective communities. A host agreement, he said, addresses both the needs of the towns and the needs of the facilities themselves. Security would be a top concern, he said.
"This is a cash business," he said. "They welcome additional police monitoring."
Dispensary locations a concern
Councilors asked Reich and Director of Community Development and Planning Steven Magoon to look into a zoning amendment governing dispensary locations. Such an amendment might, for example, require a minimum distance between dispensaries.
Council President Mark Sideris said that of a recent dispensary proposal in Watertown ran afoul of a zoning rule that would disqualify it. A second dispensary application has also been submitted.
With these latest recommendations, Council members hope that they are covering a number of bases.
"We want to make sure we have all the information we need to make an informed vote," said Piccirilli.
News Moderator: Katelyn Baker 420 MAGAZINE ®
Full Article: Town Council Weighs In On Pot Shop Proposals In Watertown
Author: Joanna Duffy
Contact: 781-433-8282
Photo Credit: Wicked Local
Website: Wicked Local Watertown
On Tuesday, Town Council members approved a slate of items that the backers of any prospective medical marijuana dispensary will need to include in their application to open in Watertown.
Council's agreement needed
There are currently no medical marijuana dispensaries in Watertown. When formal proposals come before the council for review, council members will consider each case on its individual merits and vote to issue a Letter of Support or Non-Opposition that would allow the dispensary to open.
At the meeting, Councilor Angeline Kounelis said it wasn't the town's role to stop the consumption of medical marijuana. Under current laws, towns are not allowed to pass zoning ordinances that would block medical marijuana facilities.
"It's not an issue of whether [marijuana] should be used," she said. "That's between a patient and a physician."
However, the Massachusetts Department of Public Health will currently not approve any facility that does not receive a Letter of Support or Non-Opposition. This leaves the power to block facilities in the hands of each town, and could effectively prevent the advent of any dispensaries in the town at all.
"Failure to obtain a letter of this nature will stop the [dispensary] from going forward," Town Attorney Mark Reich said.
Reich said that the decision to allow such a facility is ultimately made by Watertown's elected officials.
Town to strike deals with dispensaries
Councilors also voted to require dispensary operators to bring a proposed agreement to town officials, along with their application, that would address any potential negative impacts the dispensary might have on the town.
A host agreement, Reich clarified, was an agreement between a potential facility and its host community. The elements contained therein were not only about monetary concerns, he said, but also addressed issues of the facility's integration into the community.
"These agreements are for their benefit, as well as the community's," he said.
Reich described many prospective dispensaries as "willing and eager to come to the table" to discuss how they might integrate themselves into their respective communities. A host agreement, he said, addresses both the needs of the towns and the needs of the facilities themselves. Security would be a top concern, he said.
"This is a cash business," he said. "They welcome additional police monitoring."
Dispensary locations a concern
Councilors asked Reich and Director of Community Development and Planning Steven Magoon to look into a zoning amendment governing dispensary locations. Such an amendment might, for example, require a minimum distance between dispensaries.
Council President Mark Sideris said that of a recent dispensary proposal in Watertown ran afoul of a zoning rule that would disqualify it. A second dispensary application has also been submitted.
With these latest recommendations, Council members hope that they are covering a number of bases.
"We want to make sure we have all the information we need to make an informed vote," said Piccirilli.
News Moderator: Katelyn Baker 420 MAGAZINE ®
Full Article: Town Council Weighs In On Pot Shop Proposals In Watertown
Author: Joanna Duffy
Contact: 781-433-8282
Photo Credit: Wicked Local
Website: Wicked Local Watertown
