Katelyn Baker
Well-Known Member
Salisbury - Selectmen will wait to learn their options before voting whether to issue letters of non-opposition to any or all of the three companies wanting to site medical marijuana dispensaries in town.
At their meeting Monday night, selectmen tasked Town Manager Neil Harrington with calling Georgetown and Ipswich officials to learn the process those communities went through in deciding to write letters to the state voicing no opposition to allowing medical marijuana dispensaries within their borders. Harrington is expected to report back to selectmen at a future meeting.
About two years ago, Georgetown selectmen voted not to oppose a bid by Healthy Pharms to site a medical marijuana dispensary and growing facility in town. Georgetown officials are drafting a hosting agreement with the company. Expected to be included is a financial payment of hundreds of thousands of dollars from Healthy Pharms to Georgetown to offset additional costs the community will bear by having the dispensary in town.
In late October Salisbury selectmen met with the principals from three companies wanting to site in town. Representatives from Nature's Remedy, Old Planters of Cape Ann and Holistic Health Group, Inc., presented their cases to selectmen, asking for a letter of non-opposition for each project. The letters are required for medial marijuana dispensaries and growing facilities before they can get a state license to set up shop.
The three companies sought to locate in Salisbury based on a data base of people in the area already approved by the state health department to buy marijuana for medicinal purposes.
In Salisbury, medical marijuana facilities require special permits from the Planning Board, unless it can be proven they fall under the state's agricultural exemption. There are zoning stipulations that facilities cannot be located within 500 feet of a dwelling or places where children commonly congregate, such as schools, child care facilities, playgrounds, arcades, public parks and libraries.
All of the companies' representatives explained in October that along with the letter of non-opposition, they would most likely be looking for variances from Salisbury's 500-foot setback requirement. The Zoning Board of Appeal approves variances, however, not the Board of Selectmen
On Monday night, although nearly every selectmen expressed a belief that marijuana has some degree of medical merit, they all also expressed a need to be cautious before voting to issue letters.
Selectman Freeman Condon expressed reservations because Salisbury police Chief Thomas Fowler is against such establishments. Selectman Ronalee Ray-Parrott believed only one of the three should be chosen and was concerned about how to decide on which one. Selectman Chuck Takesian said he wants to know how the town could be certain a hosting agreement providing financial compensation would be part of the process once a letter of non-opposition was sent.
News Moderator: Katelyn Baker 420 MAGAZINE ®
Full Article: Salisbury Selectmen Want More Details Before Vote On Medical Marijuana Dispensary Letters
Author: Angeljean Ciaramida
Contact: (978) 462-6666
Photo Credit: Getty Images
Website: Daily News
At their meeting Monday night, selectmen tasked Town Manager Neil Harrington with calling Georgetown and Ipswich officials to learn the process those communities went through in deciding to write letters to the state voicing no opposition to allowing medical marijuana dispensaries within their borders. Harrington is expected to report back to selectmen at a future meeting.
About two years ago, Georgetown selectmen voted not to oppose a bid by Healthy Pharms to site a medical marijuana dispensary and growing facility in town. Georgetown officials are drafting a hosting agreement with the company. Expected to be included is a financial payment of hundreds of thousands of dollars from Healthy Pharms to Georgetown to offset additional costs the community will bear by having the dispensary in town.
In late October Salisbury selectmen met with the principals from three companies wanting to site in town. Representatives from Nature's Remedy, Old Planters of Cape Ann and Holistic Health Group, Inc., presented their cases to selectmen, asking for a letter of non-opposition for each project. The letters are required for medial marijuana dispensaries and growing facilities before they can get a state license to set up shop.
The three companies sought to locate in Salisbury based on a data base of people in the area already approved by the state health department to buy marijuana for medicinal purposes.
In Salisbury, medical marijuana facilities require special permits from the Planning Board, unless it can be proven they fall under the state's agricultural exemption. There are zoning stipulations that facilities cannot be located within 500 feet of a dwelling or places where children commonly congregate, such as schools, child care facilities, playgrounds, arcades, public parks and libraries.
All of the companies' representatives explained in October that along with the letter of non-opposition, they would most likely be looking for variances from Salisbury's 500-foot setback requirement. The Zoning Board of Appeal approves variances, however, not the Board of Selectmen
On Monday night, although nearly every selectmen expressed a belief that marijuana has some degree of medical merit, they all also expressed a need to be cautious before voting to issue letters.
Selectman Freeman Condon expressed reservations because Salisbury police Chief Thomas Fowler is against such establishments. Selectman Ronalee Ray-Parrott believed only one of the three should be chosen and was concerned about how to decide on which one. Selectman Chuck Takesian said he wants to know how the town could be certain a hosting agreement providing financial compensation would be part of the process once a letter of non-opposition was sent.
News Moderator: Katelyn Baker 420 MAGAZINE ®
Full Article: Salisbury Selectmen Want More Details Before Vote On Medical Marijuana Dispensary Letters
Author: Angeljean Ciaramida
Contact: (978) 462-6666
Photo Credit: Getty Images
Website: Daily News
