Ron Strider
Well-Known Member
Recreational marijuana businesses won't be allowed in the town.
Town meeting Tuesday night approved two proposals which prohibit the cultivation, processing and retail sale of recreational marijuana. A zoning article banning marijuana businesses was approved on a vote of 138 to 37, while a similar general by-law was approved on a voice vote with some no votes.
Selectmen Chairman David Burnes said the two by-laws were needed because the new state law on recreational marijuana didn't specify which would be needed to implement the ban. He added the regulatory agency established by the law, the Cannabis Control Commission, won't issue regulations until March.
Burnes also reminded town meeting members that 54 percent of Milton voters voted against recreational marijuana at last November's election.
The proposals had planning board support.
"The planning board feels the voters have spoken and it is wise to listen to them," board Chairman Alexander Whiteside said.
Most of the speakers supporting the ban said local "pot shops" would make it easier for teens to obtain marijuana, even if the law sets the minimum age to purchase marijuana at 21.
Caroline Kinsella, the co-director of the Milton Substance Abuse Prevention Coalition, said that the cost to the community of recreational marijuana is not worth any economic gains.
Kinsella said research has shown that the brain is not fully formed until the age of 25, and marijuana use impacts memory, attention and learning.
By allowing the sale of recreational marijuana, "we are giving the message that marijuana is harmless," she said.
Deborah Milbauer, a Precinct 4 town meeting member who teaches public health at Northeastern University, said making access to marijuana tougher is key to keeping it away from teens.
"We can pretend it will only be sold to adults," she said. "We have seen what has happened with alcohol."
The lone speaker to oppose the measure in the nearly hour-long debate was Benjamin Zoll, a Precinct 2 town meeting member. He felt more attention should be paid to preventing opioid abuse.
"We have a problem with drugs in Milton, but not this drug," Zoll said.
He called the ban "a throwback to the past, the hysteria over marijuana."
News Moderator: Ron Strider 420 MAGAZINE ®
Full Article: Milton says no to recreational marijuana - News - The Patriot Ledger, Quincy, MA - Quincy, MA
Author: Fred Hanson
Contact: Contact Us - The Patriot Ledger, Quincy, MA - Quincy, MA
Photo Credit: Shutterstock
Website: The Patriot Ledger, Quincy, MA: Local & World News, Sports & Entertainment in Quincy, MA
Town meeting Tuesday night approved two proposals which prohibit the cultivation, processing and retail sale of recreational marijuana. A zoning article banning marijuana businesses was approved on a vote of 138 to 37, while a similar general by-law was approved on a voice vote with some no votes.
Selectmen Chairman David Burnes said the two by-laws were needed because the new state law on recreational marijuana didn't specify which would be needed to implement the ban. He added the regulatory agency established by the law, the Cannabis Control Commission, won't issue regulations until March.
Burnes also reminded town meeting members that 54 percent of Milton voters voted against recreational marijuana at last November's election.
The proposals had planning board support.
"The planning board feels the voters have spoken and it is wise to listen to them," board Chairman Alexander Whiteside said.
Most of the speakers supporting the ban said local "pot shops" would make it easier for teens to obtain marijuana, even if the law sets the minimum age to purchase marijuana at 21.
Caroline Kinsella, the co-director of the Milton Substance Abuse Prevention Coalition, said that the cost to the community of recreational marijuana is not worth any economic gains.
Kinsella said research has shown that the brain is not fully formed until the age of 25, and marijuana use impacts memory, attention and learning.
By allowing the sale of recreational marijuana, "we are giving the message that marijuana is harmless," she said.
Deborah Milbauer, a Precinct 4 town meeting member who teaches public health at Northeastern University, said making access to marijuana tougher is key to keeping it away from teens.
"We can pretend it will only be sold to adults," she said. "We have seen what has happened with alcohol."
The lone speaker to oppose the measure in the nearly hour-long debate was Benjamin Zoll, a Precinct 2 town meeting member. He felt more attention should be paid to preventing opioid abuse.
"We have a problem with drugs in Milton, but not this drug," Zoll said.
He called the ban "a throwback to the past, the hysteria over marijuana."
News Moderator: Ron Strider 420 MAGAZINE ®
Full Article: Milton says no to recreational marijuana - News - The Patriot Ledger, Quincy, MA - Quincy, MA
Author: Fred Hanson
Contact: Contact Us - The Patriot Ledger, Quincy, MA - Quincy, MA
Photo Credit: Shutterstock
Website: The Patriot Ledger, Quincy, MA: Local & World News, Sports & Entertainment in Quincy, MA
