Ron Strider
Well-Known Member
The Board of Selectmen has approved a motion to request a letter from town counsel spelling out the legal process the municipality must follow to ban the sale or cultivation of recreational marijuana in town.
Luldow voters have already approved a temporary ban on recreational pot that precludes land or structures from being used for the cultivation or retail sale of marijuana, among other things. But that ban expires on June 30, 2018.
Now, town officials are considering a permanent ban on retail weed.
At its Sept. 19 meeting, the Board of Selectmen voted 4-1 to approve a motion seeking legal guidance to "entertain the ban of recreational marijuana," said William E. Rooney, chairman of the selectmen.
The motion also expressed support for a letter received from the Ludlow Board of Health that stated that panel's opposition to recreational pot.
Ludlow is among a growing number of Massachusetts municipalities seeking to ban the commercial cultivation and sale of marijuana outright, despite the commonwealth's legalization of the drug for recreational use and sale last year.
"I'm very happy to see the letter from the Board of Health," Rooney said. "I applaud them for that."
However, the town must do its due diligence on the legal front before going forward with an effort to perpetually ban the cultivation or retail sale of pot in town, according to Rooney. "Let's make sure we do it correctly," he said to his fellow selectmen at last week's meeting.
Selectman Derek DeBarge agreed with Rooney about the need for legal clarification before proceeding. "What's the harm in finding out what the proper procedure is and just doing it correctly the first time," he said.
Over 53 percent of Massachusetts voters approved a ballot initiative in November 2016 that allows adults to possess and use limited amounts of marijuana and grow up to a dozen pot plants at home.
The law took effect Dec. 15, but state legislators quickly voted to delay full implementation until July 1, 2018, saying they needed more time before the licensing of retail pot facilities.
In Ludlow, about 52 percent of voters rejected the statewide ballot initiative, while 48 percent voted in favor of legalization. Ludlow is among the 90-plus commonwealth communities that voted no at the ballot level, according to Town Administrator Ellie Villano.
News Moderator: Ron Strider 420 MAGAZINE ®
Full Article: Ludlow selectmen move forward on effort to ban recreational marijuana sales | masslive.com
Author: Conor Berry
Contact: Contact Us - MassLive Media Solutions
Photo Credit: Max Pixel
Website: Massachusetts Local News, Breaking News, Sports and Weather - MassLive.com
Luldow voters have already approved a temporary ban on recreational pot that precludes land or structures from being used for the cultivation or retail sale of marijuana, among other things. But that ban expires on June 30, 2018.
Now, town officials are considering a permanent ban on retail weed.
At its Sept. 19 meeting, the Board of Selectmen voted 4-1 to approve a motion seeking legal guidance to "entertain the ban of recreational marijuana," said William E. Rooney, chairman of the selectmen.
The motion also expressed support for a letter received from the Ludlow Board of Health that stated that panel's opposition to recreational pot.
Ludlow is among a growing number of Massachusetts municipalities seeking to ban the commercial cultivation and sale of marijuana outright, despite the commonwealth's legalization of the drug for recreational use and sale last year.
"I'm very happy to see the letter from the Board of Health," Rooney said. "I applaud them for that."
However, the town must do its due diligence on the legal front before going forward with an effort to perpetually ban the cultivation or retail sale of pot in town, according to Rooney. "Let's make sure we do it correctly," he said to his fellow selectmen at last week's meeting.
Selectman Derek DeBarge agreed with Rooney about the need for legal clarification before proceeding. "What's the harm in finding out what the proper procedure is and just doing it correctly the first time," he said.
Over 53 percent of Massachusetts voters approved a ballot initiative in November 2016 that allows adults to possess and use limited amounts of marijuana and grow up to a dozen pot plants at home.
The law took effect Dec. 15, but state legislators quickly voted to delay full implementation until July 1, 2018, saying they needed more time before the licensing of retail pot facilities.
In Ludlow, about 52 percent of voters rejected the statewide ballot initiative, while 48 percent voted in favor of legalization. Ludlow is among the 90-plus commonwealth communities that voted no at the ballot level, according to Town Administrator Ellie Villano.
News Moderator: Ron Strider 420 MAGAZINE ®
Full Article: Ludlow selectmen move forward on effort to ban recreational marijuana sales | masslive.com
Author: Conor Berry
Contact: Contact Us - MassLive Media Solutions
Photo Credit: Max Pixel
Website: Massachusetts Local News, Breaking News, Sports and Weather - MassLive.com
