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As state officials debate how to handle the legalization of medical marijuana, cities and towns are weighing how to keep pot shops out.
The new law, which was approved by voters in November, became effective Jan. 1. But the state Department of Public Health has until May 1 to write regulations. The department is in charge of issuing registration cards for people who qualify to buy marijuana and to sell it and for allowing dispensaries to open.
The law allows for up to five marijuana dispensaries in each county and an unlimited number of sites for growing the drug.
Brockton, the only city in Plymouth County, promises to be a prime landing spot for marijuana growers and sellers.
"I just think it will happen," said City Council President Timothy Cruise, of Ward 1. "We are the largest city south of Boston and north of Fall River."
Mayor Linda Balzotti and city councilors agree that Brockton needs to be proactive about the drug's legal arrival in the city.
Ward 6 City Councilor Michelle DuBois got the ball rolling last week with a call to lobby the city's legislative delegation to delay the marijuana law's implementation for six months. She has also been working with the city's building department to draft an ordinance regulating potential sellers and growers.
"The question now isn't if we should do something or should we ignore the law," DuBois said. "We can't ignore the law."
Similar strategizing is under way in Easton, where the planning board is studying the new law.
"I don't have any preconceived notions," Selectman Dan Murphy said. "I'm going to wait to hear from them."
Other town officials want to wait for more guidance from the state as well as more help from law enforcement.
"We are relying on the police chief to give us guidance on that," West Bridgewater Town Administrator Elizabeth Faricy said.
Whitman Selectman Daniel Salvucci said chances are slim that any sites end up in that small town. But said he's interested in what Police Chief Scott Benton has to say about it.
"I think it would be wrong for us to close our eyes to the possibility and we at least should be prepared," Salvucci said.
A spokeswoman for the state Department of Public Health said that agency is also working to figure things out.
"The department is partnering with a wide range of stakeholders in public safety, the medical community and municipal governments to develop the regulations and will learn from other states' experiences to put a system in place that is right for Massachusetts," Anne Roach said in a statement.
Roach added that no dispensaries will be allowed to open and no registration cards — for patients, caregivers and dispensary workers — will be issued until regulations are in place.
Some state officials are also calling for a delay in the law's implementation. The Massachusetts Municipal Association sent a petition to lawmakers seeking a delay, while Weymouth, Middleton, Acton, Topsfield and other towns have joined in the chorus.
"It seems as if this is all moving awfully quickly for something that can so impact municipalities," Balzotti said.
State Sen. John Keenan, D-Quincy, has drafted a bill to delay the entire process for nine months and to rewrite the regulations. Keenan's bill would cut the number of dispensaries statewide, reduce the supply of marijuana allowed per person, and remove the retail potential of the drug. All refills would be handled by mail.
"The current bill is so full of loopholes and ambiguities, so vague in some areas, that I don't think it can be responsibly introduced," said Keenan, whose district includes Abington and Rockland.
Bridgewater Town Manager Michael Dutton said the town is waiting for guidance from the state before moving forward. Dutton does not expect anyone to try to site a dispensary or a cultivation site in the town.
"We're going to see sort of the lay of the land after the state agencies have had their say in terms of regulations and definitions," Dutton said. "If necessary, based on that we'll craft something through our planning board."
News Hawk- TruthSeekr420 420 MAGAZINE
Source: enterprisenews.com
Author: Alex Bloom
Contact: The Enterprise Contact Us
Website: Cities and towns bracing for medical marijuana - Brockton, MA - The Enterprise
The new law, which was approved by voters in November, became effective Jan. 1. But the state Department of Public Health has until May 1 to write regulations. The department is in charge of issuing registration cards for people who qualify to buy marijuana and to sell it and for allowing dispensaries to open.
The law allows for up to five marijuana dispensaries in each county and an unlimited number of sites for growing the drug.
Brockton, the only city in Plymouth County, promises to be a prime landing spot for marijuana growers and sellers.
"I just think it will happen," said City Council President Timothy Cruise, of Ward 1. "We are the largest city south of Boston and north of Fall River."
Mayor Linda Balzotti and city councilors agree that Brockton needs to be proactive about the drug's legal arrival in the city.
Ward 6 City Councilor Michelle DuBois got the ball rolling last week with a call to lobby the city's legislative delegation to delay the marijuana law's implementation for six months. She has also been working with the city's building department to draft an ordinance regulating potential sellers and growers.
"The question now isn't if we should do something or should we ignore the law," DuBois said. "We can't ignore the law."
Similar strategizing is under way in Easton, where the planning board is studying the new law.
"I don't have any preconceived notions," Selectman Dan Murphy said. "I'm going to wait to hear from them."
Other town officials want to wait for more guidance from the state as well as more help from law enforcement.
"We are relying on the police chief to give us guidance on that," West Bridgewater Town Administrator Elizabeth Faricy said.
Whitman Selectman Daniel Salvucci said chances are slim that any sites end up in that small town. But said he's interested in what Police Chief Scott Benton has to say about it.
"I think it would be wrong for us to close our eyes to the possibility and we at least should be prepared," Salvucci said.
A spokeswoman for the state Department of Public Health said that agency is also working to figure things out.
"The department is partnering with a wide range of stakeholders in public safety, the medical community and municipal governments to develop the regulations and will learn from other states' experiences to put a system in place that is right for Massachusetts," Anne Roach said in a statement.
Roach added that no dispensaries will be allowed to open and no registration cards — for patients, caregivers and dispensary workers — will be issued until regulations are in place.
Some state officials are also calling for a delay in the law's implementation. The Massachusetts Municipal Association sent a petition to lawmakers seeking a delay, while Weymouth, Middleton, Acton, Topsfield and other towns have joined in the chorus.
"It seems as if this is all moving awfully quickly for something that can so impact municipalities," Balzotti said.
State Sen. John Keenan, D-Quincy, has drafted a bill to delay the entire process for nine months and to rewrite the regulations. Keenan's bill would cut the number of dispensaries statewide, reduce the supply of marijuana allowed per person, and remove the retail potential of the drug. All refills would be handled by mail.
"The current bill is so full of loopholes and ambiguities, so vague in some areas, that I don't think it can be responsibly introduced," said Keenan, whose district includes Abington and Rockland.
Bridgewater Town Manager Michael Dutton said the town is waiting for guidance from the state before moving forward. Dutton does not expect anyone to try to site a dispensary or a cultivation site in the town.
"We're going to see sort of the lay of the land after the state agencies have had their say in terms of regulations and definitions," Dutton said. "If necessary, based on that we'll craft something through our planning board."
News Hawk- TruthSeekr420 420 MAGAZINE
Source: enterprisenews.com
Author: Alex Bloom
Contact: The Enterprise Contact Us
Website: Cities and towns bracing for medical marijuana - Brockton, MA - The Enterprise
