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While the state has taken the first step on rolling out the first marijuana dispensaries across Massachusetts after the passage of a ballot question in November, Belmont is going to take a laid back approach introducing new town bylaws to allow pot shops to do business in the Town of Homes.
"[The regulations] will be so new [by Town Meeting] that it is advisable we as a town should take our time," Belmont Planning Board Chairman Sami Baghdady said last month, effectively pushing the town out of the running to be home to the first round of marijuana dispensaries in Massachusetts.
The state's Department of Public Health introduced the first draft of the new guidelines for the distribution of medical marijuana on Friday, March 29, that goes into great detail on the who, what, where and how of providing qualified citizens with doses of cannabis.
Under the new regs, a qualified person — which will be determined by doctors and their patients if a dose of cannabis will be helpful — can buy up to a 60-day supply which has been determined to be 10 oz.
The regulation will also allow certain residents who have travel restrictions or financial constraints to grow their own marijuana on their property.
"In this proposal, we have sought to achieve a balanced approach that will provide appropriate access for patients, while maintaining a secure system that keeps our communities safe," said the DPH's Interim Commissioner Dr. Lauren Smith.
While the detailed regulations were released last week, the guidelines remain in a draft form as the state holds public meeting in April. A final regulation for medical marijuana is expected in early May and likely to go into effect at the end of next month.
But any company which have expressed interest in placing in Belmont one of the five dispensaries each county is allowed or residents hoping to begin cultivating marijuana plants between their tomato plants will most likely required to wait until June of 2014 before going forward with their plans as the Planning Board will introduce a Town Meeting article that will seek up to a one- year moratorium after the state regs become part of the Massachusetts General Laws.
Baghdady said Belmont would not take the same approach as Wakefield that has banned any dispensory within the town — which the state has ruled as illegal — but will take a cautious view on passing new bylaw language.
"[A] restriction on the establishment of such facilities in Belmont shall provide the opportunity to study their potential impact on adjacent uses and on general public health, safety and welfare ..." reads the article.
"We want to review the regulations and hold public meetings before we come to creating our own [language]," said Baghdady at a recent Warrant Committee meeting. He pointed to seeking public input on restricting any retail store from being located close to the six Belmont public schools or other areas where children are located.
Baghdady said the Planning Board will also need to discuss is new restrictions will be placed on homeowners who are allowed to plant marijuana for their own use.
Under the state draft regulations, wholesale transactions would not be allowed, qualified customers with idenfication would be the only customers allowed in the retail building and advertising would be severely limited.
Baghdady said while the moritorium will last until June of next year, new bylaw regulations could be approved at any special Town Meeting — which typically occurs in late fall or during the winter — between the annual meetings.
"While there will be wait, [Belmont] will have a bylaw on medical marijuana. I mean, the voters said they wanted it," said Baghdady, noting that 65 percent of residents voted for the ballot question last November.
News Hawk- Truth Seeker 420 MAGAZINE ®
Source: patch.com
Author: Franklin Tucker
Contact: Contact Us - Belmont, MA Patch
Website: While State Moves Forward, Belmont Goes Slow on Medical Marijuana - Belmont, MA Patch
"[The regulations] will be so new [by Town Meeting] that it is advisable we as a town should take our time," Belmont Planning Board Chairman Sami Baghdady said last month, effectively pushing the town out of the running to be home to the first round of marijuana dispensaries in Massachusetts.
The state's Department of Public Health introduced the first draft of the new guidelines for the distribution of medical marijuana on Friday, March 29, that goes into great detail on the who, what, where and how of providing qualified citizens with doses of cannabis.
Under the new regs, a qualified person — which will be determined by doctors and their patients if a dose of cannabis will be helpful — can buy up to a 60-day supply which has been determined to be 10 oz.
The regulation will also allow certain residents who have travel restrictions or financial constraints to grow their own marijuana on their property.
"In this proposal, we have sought to achieve a balanced approach that will provide appropriate access for patients, while maintaining a secure system that keeps our communities safe," said the DPH's Interim Commissioner Dr. Lauren Smith.
While the detailed regulations were released last week, the guidelines remain in a draft form as the state holds public meeting in April. A final regulation for medical marijuana is expected in early May and likely to go into effect at the end of next month.
But any company which have expressed interest in placing in Belmont one of the five dispensaries each county is allowed or residents hoping to begin cultivating marijuana plants between their tomato plants will most likely required to wait until June of 2014 before going forward with their plans as the Planning Board will introduce a Town Meeting article that will seek up to a one- year moratorium after the state regs become part of the Massachusetts General Laws.
Baghdady said Belmont would not take the same approach as Wakefield that has banned any dispensory within the town — which the state has ruled as illegal — but will take a cautious view on passing new bylaw language.
"[A] restriction on the establishment of such facilities in Belmont shall provide the opportunity to study their potential impact on adjacent uses and on general public health, safety and welfare ..." reads the article.
"We want to review the regulations and hold public meetings before we come to creating our own [language]," said Baghdady at a recent Warrant Committee meeting. He pointed to seeking public input on restricting any retail store from being located close to the six Belmont public schools or other areas where children are located.
Baghdady said the Planning Board will also need to discuss is new restrictions will be placed on homeowners who are allowed to plant marijuana for their own use.
Under the state draft regulations, wholesale transactions would not be allowed, qualified customers with idenfication would be the only customers allowed in the retail building and advertising would be severely limited.
Baghdady said while the moritorium will last until June of next year, new bylaw regulations could be approved at any special Town Meeting — which typically occurs in late fall or during the winter — between the annual meetings.
"While there will be wait, [Belmont] will have a bylaw on medical marijuana. I mean, the voters said they wanted it," said Baghdady, noting that 65 percent of residents voted for the ballot question last November.
News Hawk- Truth Seeker 420 MAGAZINE ®
Source: patch.com
Author: Franklin Tucker
Contact: Contact Us - Belmont, MA Patch
Website: While State Moves Forward, Belmont Goes Slow on Medical Marijuana - Belmont, MA Patch
