Maine – In a three-hour meeting Thursday night, selectmen voted 3-1 for a public hearing and special board meeting for a town ordinance to control marijuana dispensaries.
The meeting will be held Monday at 6:30 p.m. at Town Hall.
The board is seeking approval for a local ordinance allowing local controls for any legal marijuana dispensary looking to locate in Eliot.
A proposed ordinance written by former selectman John Murphy was introduced Thursday night.
Murphy said, "The involvement of policing is minimal" in the state law passed by voters statewide in the November 2009 election to allow medical marijuana dispensaries in Maine. Newly reelected selectman Michael Moynahan noted, "Under our existing local ordinances, anyone could just come in under agricultural zoning. We need to act on this and fast."
An official for a South Berwick medical group did speak against a moratorium that was rejected in a clear hand vote against a proposed moratorium at the annual town meeting June 12. A landscaper and gardener from Kittery who hopes to be a marijuana grower also spoke Thursday.
Town administrative assistant Dan Blanchette did say there are no present applications pending before the town.
On July 8, the state Department of Health and Human Services will select one, and only one, medical dispensary for York County. Reportedly, some 39 applications have been requested. Many York County cities and towns already have moratoria in place.
State Rep. Sally Lewin of Eliot is the ranking Republican on the DHHS committee. She has said repeatedly, "My major concern all along has been public safety. That some small growing operation for something still illegal by the federal government could come in without local controls. We need a reasonable ordinance. We've never discussed public safety issues surrounding this stuff. We need to be much better prepared. We need local controls."
Residents will have the chance to ask questions and speak next Monday at the public hearing. Copies of the proposed ordinance are available at the Town Hall and the town website.
The board hopes informed residents will attend the hearing and then vote to approve a warrant article for a special town meeting Wednesday, July 7, at Marshwood Middle School on Roue 236.
NewsHawk: Ganjarden: 420 MAGAZINE
Source: Fosters
Author: SHIRLEY JACQUES
Copyright: 2010 Geo. J. Foster Company
The meeting will be held Monday at 6:30 p.m. at Town Hall.
The board is seeking approval for a local ordinance allowing local controls for any legal marijuana dispensary looking to locate in Eliot.
A proposed ordinance written by former selectman John Murphy was introduced Thursday night.
Murphy said, "The involvement of policing is minimal" in the state law passed by voters statewide in the November 2009 election to allow medical marijuana dispensaries in Maine. Newly reelected selectman Michael Moynahan noted, "Under our existing local ordinances, anyone could just come in under agricultural zoning. We need to act on this and fast."
An official for a South Berwick medical group did speak against a moratorium that was rejected in a clear hand vote against a proposed moratorium at the annual town meeting June 12. A landscaper and gardener from Kittery who hopes to be a marijuana grower also spoke Thursday.
Town administrative assistant Dan Blanchette did say there are no present applications pending before the town.
On July 8, the state Department of Health and Human Services will select one, and only one, medical dispensary for York County. Reportedly, some 39 applications have been requested. Many York County cities and towns already have moratoria in place.
State Rep. Sally Lewin of Eliot is the ranking Republican on the DHHS committee. She has said repeatedly, "My major concern all along has been public safety. That some small growing operation for something still illegal by the federal government could come in without local controls. We need a reasonable ordinance. We've never discussed public safety issues surrounding this stuff. We need to be much better prepared. We need local controls."
Residents will have the chance to ask questions and speak next Monday at the public hearing. Copies of the proposed ordinance are available at the Town Hall and the town website.
The board hopes informed residents will attend the hearing and then vote to approve a warrant article for a special town meeting Wednesday, July 7, at Marshwood Middle School on Roue 236.
NewsHawk: Ganjarden: 420 MAGAZINE
Source: Fosters
Author: SHIRLEY JACQUES
Copyright: 2010 Geo. J. Foster Company
