Katelyn Baker
Well-Known Member
Mansfield - A referendum to legalize recreational marijuana likely to be on next November's ballot would give preference to existing medical marijuana facilities.
But proponents of a Mansfield medical pot dispensary say they're sticking by their promise to steer clear of recreational weed.
Marc Rosenfeld of CommCann said the proposed dispensary on West Street near the Cabot Business Park would stick to its mission of selling medical marijuana only.
Rosenfeld said it would be impossible for the dispensary to deal in recreational pot because the new facility would be a non-profit bound by its stated purpose of providing medical marijuana and related education. He also said he expects a special permit from the town planning board to restrict sales to medical marijuana only.
"I guarantee you it will say 'medical marijuana,'" Rosenfeld said.
Town selectmen voted this spring to grant a letter of support to the dispensary, the first of many state and local approvals that would be necessary.
Proponents at the time said the location would be focused solely on selling medical marijuana to patients who have been given state-issued medical marijuana user cards. Some opponents of the facility, including police Chief Ron Sellon, said they feared licensing a dispensary would have a negative impact.
Town Manager Bill Ross told selectmen Wednesday he is adding a provision restricting the dispensary to medical marijuana to a draft community host agreement that would have to be approved by the board as well as the applicant.
The CommCann facility recently received a variance from the Zoning Board of Appeals but has yet to go before the Planning Board which will have to vote on a special permit.
The dispensary also requires final approval from the state.
The November referendum, if approved, would legalize the sale of recreational marijuana and allow already existing medical marijuana facilities to apply for licenses in October, 2017, ahead of all other applicants.
Boston attorney Valerio Romano, who worked with CommCann during its licensing process, is listed as one of the petitioners on the ballot referendum.
Rosenfeld, who also hopes to open dispensaries in Southboro and Millis, said he's confident his sites will remain viable whether or not the state approves recreational pot.
"In every place where they've legalized recreational marijuana, medical marijuana sales have gone up not down," he said.
The proposed referendum technically is not assured of a place on the ballot yet. However, backers gathered far more than the 10,800 required signatures by Wednesday's filing deadline.
News Moderator: Katelyn Baker 420 MAGAZINE ®
Full Article: Recreational Weed Doubtful In Mansfield
Author: Rick Foster
Contact: 508-222-7000
Photo Credit: Bill Willcox
Website: The Sun Chronicle
But proponents of a Mansfield medical pot dispensary say they're sticking by their promise to steer clear of recreational weed.
Marc Rosenfeld of CommCann said the proposed dispensary on West Street near the Cabot Business Park would stick to its mission of selling medical marijuana only.
Rosenfeld said it would be impossible for the dispensary to deal in recreational pot because the new facility would be a non-profit bound by its stated purpose of providing medical marijuana and related education. He also said he expects a special permit from the town planning board to restrict sales to medical marijuana only.
"I guarantee you it will say 'medical marijuana,'" Rosenfeld said.
Town selectmen voted this spring to grant a letter of support to the dispensary, the first of many state and local approvals that would be necessary.
Proponents at the time said the location would be focused solely on selling medical marijuana to patients who have been given state-issued medical marijuana user cards. Some opponents of the facility, including police Chief Ron Sellon, said they feared licensing a dispensary would have a negative impact.
Town Manager Bill Ross told selectmen Wednesday he is adding a provision restricting the dispensary to medical marijuana to a draft community host agreement that would have to be approved by the board as well as the applicant.
The CommCann facility recently received a variance from the Zoning Board of Appeals but has yet to go before the Planning Board which will have to vote on a special permit.
The dispensary also requires final approval from the state.
The November referendum, if approved, would legalize the sale of recreational marijuana and allow already existing medical marijuana facilities to apply for licenses in October, 2017, ahead of all other applicants.
Boston attorney Valerio Romano, who worked with CommCann during its licensing process, is listed as one of the petitioners on the ballot referendum.
Rosenfeld, who also hopes to open dispensaries in Southboro and Millis, said he's confident his sites will remain viable whether or not the state approves recreational pot.
"In every place where they've legalized recreational marijuana, medical marijuana sales have gone up not down," he said.
The proposed referendum technically is not assured of a place on the ballot yet. However, backers gathered far more than the 10,800 required signatures by Wednesday's filing deadline.
News Moderator: Katelyn Baker 420 MAGAZINE ®
Full Article: Recreational Weed Doubtful In Mansfield
Author: Rick Foster
Contact: 508-222-7000
Photo Credit: Bill Willcox
Website: The Sun Chronicle
