Katelyn Baker
Well-Known Member
West Springfield - Mayor Will Reichelt has called for delaying implementation of the state's new recreational marijuana law to give West Springfield time to plan and craft zoning changes necessary to accommodate the regulations.
Question 4, the Nov. 8 election ballot measure to legalize, tax and regulate pot for recreational use, won statewide approval by a margin of 54 percent to 46 percent. In West Springfield, however, voters opposed it 52 percent to 48 percent.
Recreational pot use, including the retail sale of the drug, "raises novel and complex legal, planning and public safety issues and the town needs time to study such issues," Reichelt, an attorney, said in a letter to the West Springfield Town Council explaining his rationale for the moratorium.
"The purpose of these amendments to the zoning ordinance are to implement a temporary moratorium on recreational marijuana establishments," Reichelt said.
The moratorium would halt the use of land or structures as sites for recreational pot facilities until the town has time to implement appropriate planning measures.
The moratorium - similar to the one proposed after medical marijuana was legalized in Massachusetts - would take effect upon approval by the Town Council and last through Dec. 31, 2018. It wouldn't apply to businesses that have already been approved to operate as medical marijuana facilities.
Massachusetts' recreational marijuana law is poised to go into effect Dec. 15, with the newly formed Cannabis Control Commission required to issue regulations about how to implement the law before Sept. 15, 2017.
"During the moratorium period, the town shall undertake a planning process to address the potential impacts of recreational marijuana in the town, consider the Cannabis Control Commission regulations regarding recreational marijuana facilities and related uses, and consider adopting new zoning ordinances to address the impact and operation of recreational marijuana facilities and related uses," the proposed West Springfield amendment states.
At Monday's Town Council meeting, council President George D. Condon III formally referred the proposal to the town's Ordinance and Policy Committee. The committee, chaired by Councilman Bruce Gendron, will review and discuss the proposal before it's brought before the full council.
News Moderator: Katelyn Baker 420 MAGAZINE ®
Full Article: West Springfield Mayor Calls For Temporary Moratorium On Marijuana Facilities
Author: Conor Berry
Contact: MassLive
Photo Credit: Ted S. Warren
Website: MassLive
Question 4, the Nov. 8 election ballot measure to legalize, tax and regulate pot for recreational use, won statewide approval by a margin of 54 percent to 46 percent. In West Springfield, however, voters opposed it 52 percent to 48 percent.
Recreational pot use, including the retail sale of the drug, "raises novel and complex legal, planning and public safety issues and the town needs time to study such issues," Reichelt, an attorney, said in a letter to the West Springfield Town Council explaining his rationale for the moratorium.
"The purpose of these amendments to the zoning ordinance are to implement a temporary moratorium on recreational marijuana establishments," Reichelt said.
The moratorium would halt the use of land or structures as sites for recreational pot facilities until the town has time to implement appropriate planning measures.
The moratorium - similar to the one proposed after medical marijuana was legalized in Massachusetts - would take effect upon approval by the Town Council and last through Dec. 31, 2018. It wouldn't apply to businesses that have already been approved to operate as medical marijuana facilities.
Massachusetts' recreational marijuana law is poised to go into effect Dec. 15, with the newly formed Cannabis Control Commission required to issue regulations about how to implement the law before Sept. 15, 2017.
"During the moratorium period, the town shall undertake a planning process to address the potential impacts of recreational marijuana in the town, consider the Cannabis Control Commission regulations regarding recreational marijuana facilities and related uses, and consider adopting new zoning ordinances to address the impact and operation of recreational marijuana facilities and related uses," the proposed West Springfield amendment states.
At Monday's Town Council meeting, council President George D. Condon III formally referred the proposal to the town's Ordinance and Policy Committee. The committee, chaired by Councilman Bruce Gendron, will review and discuss the proposal before it's brought before the full council.
News Moderator: Katelyn Baker 420 MAGAZINE ®
Full Article: West Springfield Mayor Calls For Temporary Moratorium On Marijuana Facilities
Author: Conor Berry
Contact: MassLive
Photo Credit: Ted S. Warren
Website: MassLive
