Windham town councilors began initial discussions about a recently enacted state law allowing eight marijuana distribution districts in the state Tuesday night during a workshop.
Councilor Carol Waig opened the conversation with information about the law and said she is concerned, due to Windham's population and location, the town may be chosen as a site for a dispensary. She suggested placing a moratorium on allowing a dispensary in Windham until further local regulation can be developed.
''My issue is I don't want it in my town,'' she said. ''I didn't vote for it; it still isn't legal (at the federal level.)''
Waig said her background in law enforcement indicates Windham residents will not support a dispensary in town. Councilor John MacKinnon said he read the ''white paper'' comparing California law with Maine law.
''Did Maine mitigate California's problems?'' he asked.
Councilor Donna Chapman suggested speaking with local state representatives to change the law to allow only hospitals and pharmacies to distribute marijuana. Council President William Tracy agreed it may be an option to approach state representatives but said he is comfortable the discussion has been opened locally should a moratorium be enacted in the future.
Waig suggested getting input from law enforcement officials and said part of the law allows people to grow their own marijuana as well.
''Instead of raiding cornfields, they will be raiding marijuana fields,'' she said.
Town manager Anthony Plante said a moratorium may be enacted for up to six months at a time, with a maximum of 18 months. During that time, the council could create local regulations, he said.
Waig said another concern is a moratorium being seen as discrimination. Tracy encouraged councilors to take their time considering the issue. He said he has not made a decision about dispensaries.
''We need time to be thoughtful,'' Tracy said.
Councilor Matthew Noel agreed local regulations should be explored.
''We must have a plan or the sand in that hour glass will expire,'' he said.
Plante said the discussion Tuesday night established a date to which a moratorium would be retroactive. Councilors will receive documents from Waig about the law for further study and plan to address the issue during a future workshop.
NewsHawk: Ganjarden: 420 MAGAZINE
Source: The Independent
Author: Stephanie Grinnell
Copyright: 2010 Independent Publishing
Councilor Carol Waig opened the conversation with information about the law and said she is concerned, due to Windham's population and location, the town may be chosen as a site for a dispensary. She suggested placing a moratorium on allowing a dispensary in Windham until further local regulation can be developed.
''My issue is I don't want it in my town,'' she said. ''I didn't vote for it; it still isn't legal (at the federal level.)''
Waig said her background in law enforcement indicates Windham residents will not support a dispensary in town. Councilor John MacKinnon said he read the ''white paper'' comparing California law with Maine law.
''Did Maine mitigate California's problems?'' he asked.
Councilor Donna Chapman suggested speaking with local state representatives to change the law to allow only hospitals and pharmacies to distribute marijuana. Council President William Tracy agreed it may be an option to approach state representatives but said he is comfortable the discussion has been opened locally should a moratorium be enacted in the future.
Waig suggested getting input from law enforcement officials and said part of the law allows people to grow their own marijuana as well.
''Instead of raiding cornfields, they will be raiding marijuana fields,'' she said.
Town manager Anthony Plante said a moratorium may be enacted for up to six months at a time, with a maximum of 18 months. During that time, the council could create local regulations, he said.
Waig said another concern is a moratorium being seen as discrimination. Tracy encouraged councilors to take their time considering the issue. He said he has not made a decision about dispensaries.
''We need time to be thoughtful,'' Tracy said.
Councilor Matthew Noel agreed local regulations should be explored.
''We must have a plan or the sand in that hour glass will expire,'' he said.
Plante said the discussion Tuesday night established a date to which a moratorium would be retroactive. Councilors will receive documents from Waig about the law for further study and plan to address the issue during a future workshop.
NewsHawk: Ganjarden: 420 MAGAZINE
Source: The Independent
Author: Stephanie Grinnell
Copyright: 2010 Independent Publishing
