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Despite some reservations on the matter, town officials in Pittsford haven't just said no – or yes – yet to having a medical marijuana dispensary in town.
During a short discussion Wednesday night, several members of the Select Board were fearful of the impact a medical marijuana dispensary would have on the town. However, they were open to the possibility.
"I don't think Pittsford is the best place for it," said Selectman Thomas Hooker, adding that it would bring with it alot of problems for law enforcement.
Board Chairman Hank Pelkey disagreed and said a medical marijuana dispensary carries a stigma, but the medication is beneficial for many people suffering from chronic illness.
"I think it would be a good thing because it would be beneficial (for people like me)," said Pelkey, who suffers from Parkinson's disease. "If you saw Michael J. Fox on television ... he was shaking and that was him on a good day with medication."
Town resident Ryan Langeway told the Select Board he was in favor of having a medical marijuana dispensary in town. He said studies show the benefits of the medication.
"The future (of medicine) is changing," he said. "Maybe we can accept that in Pittsford and have an open mind."
The discussion on the medical marijuana dispensary follows a short presentation by the head of Rutland County Organics, a nonprofit corporation that is one of the four certified to set up a dispensary in the state.
Alexandra Ford brought forward the idea of a dispensary at a Pittsford Select Board meeting on Oct. 17. She highlighted some of the security measures that would be adopted if established that include by appointment only consultation, steel doors where the marijuana is grown and 24-hour security and surveillance.
"It's not a storefront," she said. "It's probably safer than walking into CVS or Walgreens. ... The state has gone above and beyond the security we need to have."
Two medical marijuana facilities have already been approved in Burlington and Waterbury, but Ford said the approximately 150 patients in the southern part of Vermont do not have access to the medication.
"We are really concerned about the patients in the southern part of the state," Ford told the Select Board. "We will not be in a community that does not want us."
As outlined in state law, a medical marijuana dispensary can still be established in a community, if the town or city has not objected to them with an ordinance or through zoning. In October, the city of Rutland approved a ban on dispensaries within city limits, while other surrounding towns are considering doing something similar.
At Wednesday's meeting, the Select Board did not make any decision in favor or against Ford's proposal. There was a consensus among board members that they would need more information before making any decision.
The topic is expected to be included in the Select Board's agenda of Nov. 21 for further discussion.
News Hawk- TruthSeekr420 420 MAGAZINE
Source: rutlandherald.com
Author: Lucia Suarez
Contact: Contact Us : Rutland Herald Online
Website: Pittsford mulls medical marijuana dispensary in town : Rutland Herald Online
During a short discussion Wednesday night, several members of the Select Board were fearful of the impact a medical marijuana dispensary would have on the town. However, they were open to the possibility.
"I don't think Pittsford is the best place for it," said Selectman Thomas Hooker, adding that it would bring with it alot of problems for law enforcement.
Board Chairman Hank Pelkey disagreed and said a medical marijuana dispensary carries a stigma, but the medication is beneficial for many people suffering from chronic illness.
"I think it would be a good thing because it would be beneficial (for people like me)," said Pelkey, who suffers from Parkinson's disease. "If you saw Michael J. Fox on television ... he was shaking and that was him on a good day with medication."
Town resident Ryan Langeway told the Select Board he was in favor of having a medical marijuana dispensary in town. He said studies show the benefits of the medication.
"The future (of medicine) is changing," he said. "Maybe we can accept that in Pittsford and have an open mind."
The discussion on the medical marijuana dispensary follows a short presentation by the head of Rutland County Organics, a nonprofit corporation that is one of the four certified to set up a dispensary in the state.
Alexandra Ford brought forward the idea of a dispensary at a Pittsford Select Board meeting on Oct. 17. She highlighted some of the security measures that would be adopted if established that include by appointment only consultation, steel doors where the marijuana is grown and 24-hour security and surveillance.
"It's not a storefront," she said. "It's probably safer than walking into CVS or Walgreens. ... The state has gone above and beyond the security we need to have."
Two medical marijuana facilities have already been approved in Burlington and Waterbury, but Ford said the approximately 150 patients in the southern part of Vermont do not have access to the medication.
"We are really concerned about the patients in the southern part of the state," Ford told the Select Board. "We will not be in a community that does not want us."
As outlined in state law, a medical marijuana dispensary can still be established in a community, if the town or city has not objected to them with an ordinance or through zoning. In October, the city of Rutland approved a ban on dispensaries within city limits, while other surrounding towns are considering doing something similar.
At Wednesday's meeting, the Select Board did not make any decision in favor or against Ford's proposal. There was a consensus among board members that they would need more information before making any decision.
The topic is expected to be included in the Select Board's agenda of Nov. 21 for further discussion.
News Hawk- TruthSeekr420 420 MAGAZINE
Source: rutlandherald.com
Author: Lucia Suarez
Contact: Contact Us : Rutland Herald Online
Website: Pittsford mulls medical marijuana dispensary in town : Rutland Herald Online
