Councilors Say Quincy Is Inevitable Site For Medical Marijuana Dispensary

[The General]

Massachusetts - Some city officials say it's inevitable that a medical marijuana dispensary will end up in Quincy, so they're pushing for a host agreement that would secure mitigation payments for the city. The funding, they said, could help pay for new police canines, surveillance cameras, anti-drug initiatives and substance-abuse treatment programs.

"If a facility opens up on Independence Ave. in Braintree or East Milton Square in Milton, or in Weymouth or Dorchester, we would get all the negative impacts (of a dispensary) with very little of the mitigation that would come with it," Ward 4 City Councilor Brian Palmucci said during a public safety subcommittee meeting Monday. Palmucci said at least five people have expressed interest in opening dispensaries in Quincy, and three of them are considering sites in West Quincy. A new city ordinance prohibits dispensaries from opening within 1,500 feet of a residential district, school, liquor-selling establishment or other marijuana dispensaries. The public safety subcommittee voted to recommend that the mayor negotiate host agreements with dispensary applicants. These agreements, similar to those signed between communities and casino owners, would require the dispensary to divert some of its annual revenue to the city.

Last November, Massachusetts voters legalized the growth and sale of marijuana for patients with debilitating medical conditions. Up to 35 dispensaries — but no more than five per county — can open statewide. Dispensary applicants would not be required to sign a host agreement to get permitted by the state. However, the state has said getting local approval from a city or town is an integral part of its permitting process. Valerio Romano, an attorney representing an applicant looking to open in Quincy, told councilors Monday that the host agreements should also include provisions about the dispensaries hiring Quincy residents. Romano did not identify his client looking to open in Quincy because the application process is ongoing.

The deadline for the second phase of applications with the state, in which applicants must identify the communities where they want to open, is Nov. 21. The councilors expressed concern that all applicants should participate in a community meeting with potential abutters before any host agreement is reached or permit is granted. "You've got to give the courtesy to the ward councilor to have a public discussion with the neighbors," Gutro said. "It just has to happen."

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Source: Patriotledger.com
Author: Patrick Ronan
Contact: The Patriot Ledger Contact Us
Website:Councilors say Quincy is inevitable site for medical marijuana dispensary - Quincy, MA - The Patriot Ledger

 

[Circe]

Thanks for posting Patrick. I thought this was a really interesting point to put to locals when discussing a dispensary:
“If a facility opens up on Independence Ave. in Braintree or East Milton Square in Milton, or in Weymouth or Dorchester, we would get all the negative impacts (of a dispensary) with very little of the mitigation that would come with it,”