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City councilors will look into crafting a local law to govern medical marijuana to "protect the city of New Bedford."
"We want to make sure that every citizen is protected in some kind of way when this moves forward," City Council President Steve Martins said at Thursday's council meeting. Martins said he had received calls from constituents worried about how the legalization of medical marijuana could affect their neighborhoods. "We have to start having these discussions now."
Bay Staters voted decisively to legalize medical marijuana in November, with 60 percent of the electorate in favor. In Bristol County, the margin was slightly lower at 58.5 percent.
The state's Department of Public Health is in charge of regulating the newly legal industry, but that hasn't stopped some municipalities, such as Reading and Wakefield, from passing bans or restrictions.
Martins proposed rules that would ensure that dispensaries are not located close to schools, churches or neighborhoods.
"Even though the voters have spoken – and it's great that they did – the city should start having discussions in the committee on ordinances to develop our own ordinance that really protects the city of New Bedford," he said.
In November, Health Director Brenda Weis said the city is looking to the state for guidance. Weis was not in the office Friday afternoon and could not be reached for comment.
"The way I interpret this is that the state really has a little work ahead to determine the structure and guidelines to give to municipalities," she said in November. "We're looking for leadership and guidance in that area."
The city should wait to see what the state hands down before moving forward, said Ward 5 Councilor Jane Gonsalves, one of three councilors to oppose a motion at Thursday night's meeting that would have the council to take up the question in ordinance committee.
"I don't want to be overly restrictive and overly regulating an industry that has already been approved by state law," she said, adding that she has not received any calls about the matter.
At-large councilors David Alves and Debora Coelho also opposed the motion.
News Hawk- TruthSeekr420 420 MAGAZINE
Source: southcoasttoday.com
Author: Natalie Sherman
Contact: Contact Us
Website: Council debates medical marijuana in New Bedford | SouthCoastToday.com
"We want to make sure that every citizen is protected in some kind of way when this moves forward," City Council President Steve Martins said at Thursday's council meeting. Martins said he had received calls from constituents worried about how the legalization of medical marijuana could affect their neighborhoods. "We have to start having these discussions now."
Bay Staters voted decisively to legalize medical marijuana in November, with 60 percent of the electorate in favor. In Bristol County, the margin was slightly lower at 58.5 percent.
The state's Department of Public Health is in charge of regulating the newly legal industry, but that hasn't stopped some municipalities, such as Reading and Wakefield, from passing bans or restrictions.
Martins proposed rules that would ensure that dispensaries are not located close to schools, churches or neighborhoods.
"Even though the voters have spoken – and it's great that they did – the city should start having discussions in the committee on ordinances to develop our own ordinance that really protects the city of New Bedford," he said.
In November, Health Director Brenda Weis said the city is looking to the state for guidance. Weis was not in the office Friday afternoon and could not be reached for comment.
"The way I interpret this is that the state really has a little work ahead to determine the structure and guidelines to give to municipalities," she said in November. "We're looking for leadership and guidance in that area."
The city should wait to see what the state hands down before moving forward, said Ward 5 Councilor Jane Gonsalves, one of three councilors to oppose a motion at Thursday night's meeting that would have the council to take up the question in ordinance committee.
"I don't want to be overly restrictive and overly regulating an industry that has already been approved by state law," she said, adding that she has not received any calls about the matter.
At-large councilors David Alves and Debora Coelho also opposed the motion.
News Hawk- TruthSeekr420 420 MAGAZINE
Source: southcoasttoday.com
Author: Natalie Sherman
Contact: Contact Us
Website: Council debates medical marijuana in New Bedford | SouthCoastToday.com
