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Town officials know they can't prohibit medical marijuana dispensaries from opening in town, but they don't want to do anything that increases the likelihood of such an opening.
In November, Massachusetts voters approved a ballot question legalizing marijuana for medical use. The legislation permits a patient 21 or older to use marijuana for medical purposes if a physician prescribes it. A patient would have to be diagnosed with a medical condition such as cancer, glaucoma, AIDS, hepatitis C, Crohn's disease, Parkinson's disease or multiple sclerosis to qualify.
The state Department of Public Health will begin issuing licenses for marijuana shops May 1, and it has until that date to establish regulations governing dispensaries.
A maximum of 35 dispensaries will be permitted in the state, and the number in any particular county cannot exceed five.
The town council's ordinance subcommittee is asking the council to vote on zoning that would restrict medical marijuana dispensaries to a specific area in town. The council will vote on zoning to allow dispensaries in the Great Pond Overlay District (the Pacella Park area) on April 8.
"It's safer to have regulations in place," ordinance subcommittee Chairman James Burgess said at the council's March 11 meeting.
Burgess said the subcommittee believes the Pacella Park area is the "most logical" location, partly because it is not a residential area.
He included some other guidelines in the proposed bylaw — that a dispensary must be a freestanding building, for example. The intent of that provision is to ensure that the town would not face complaints from businesses sharing a building with a marijuana shop.
Town council member Jason Adams said he is drafting a moratorium that would postpone the permitting of marijuana shops in town. He plans to present it at the council's April 8 meeting.
"I want to get the insight of the state Department of Public Health," he said. "I think it would be smart to wait to see what they have to say before we move forward."
The dispensaries must be for the sole purpose of filling medical marijuana prescriptions. The licensing process will be similar to the process for liquor licenses.
Burgess said he realizes that Randolph might be appealing to someone looking to set up a marijuana shop, given its proximity to Boston and highways.
"We're a prime target for marijuana dispensaries," he said. "...If it opens, we'd be known as a destination for marijuana."
Burgess said local government officials must respect the fact that Massachusetts residents did vote to permit medical marijuana shops.
He said he did not draft the bylaw lightly.
"I really looked at it as a way to protect the municipality and not encourage the medical marijuana community," he said.
News Hawk- TruthSeekr420 420 MAGAZINE ®
Source: patriotledger.com
Author: Teresa Franco
Contact: The Patriot Ledger Contact Us
Website: Pot-shop restriction headed for vote in Randolph - Quincy, MA - The Patriot Ledger
In November, Massachusetts voters approved a ballot question legalizing marijuana for medical use. The legislation permits a patient 21 or older to use marijuana for medical purposes if a physician prescribes it. A patient would have to be diagnosed with a medical condition such as cancer, glaucoma, AIDS, hepatitis C, Crohn's disease, Parkinson's disease or multiple sclerosis to qualify.
The state Department of Public Health will begin issuing licenses for marijuana shops May 1, and it has until that date to establish regulations governing dispensaries.
A maximum of 35 dispensaries will be permitted in the state, and the number in any particular county cannot exceed five.
The town council's ordinance subcommittee is asking the council to vote on zoning that would restrict medical marijuana dispensaries to a specific area in town. The council will vote on zoning to allow dispensaries in the Great Pond Overlay District (the Pacella Park area) on April 8.
"It's safer to have regulations in place," ordinance subcommittee Chairman James Burgess said at the council's March 11 meeting.
Burgess said the subcommittee believes the Pacella Park area is the "most logical" location, partly because it is not a residential area.
He included some other guidelines in the proposed bylaw — that a dispensary must be a freestanding building, for example. The intent of that provision is to ensure that the town would not face complaints from businesses sharing a building with a marijuana shop.
Town council member Jason Adams said he is drafting a moratorium that would postpone the permitting of marijuana shops in town. He plans to present it at the council's April 8 meeting.
"I want to get the insight of the state Department of Public Health," he said. "I think it would be smart to wait to see what they have to say before we move forward."
The dispensaries must be for the sole purpose of filling medical marijuana prescriptions. The licensing process will be similar to the process for liquor licenses.
Burgess said he realizes that Randolph might be appealing to someone looking to set up a marijuana shop, given its proximity to Boston and highways.
"We're a prime target for marijuana dispensaries," he said. "...If it opens, we'd be known as a destination for marijuana."
Burgess said local government officials must respect the fact that Massachusetts residents did vote to permit medical marijuana shops.
He said he did not draft the bylaw lightly.
"I really looked at it as a way to protect the municipality and not encourage the medical marijuana community," he said.
News Hawk- TruthSeekr420 420 MAGAZINE ®
Source: patriotledger.com
Author: Teresa Franco
Contact: The Patriot Ledger Contact Us
Website: Pot-shop restriction headed for vote in Randolph - Quincy, MA - The Patriot Ledger
