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The Board of Selectmen is hoping the Planning Board will adopt a bylaw drafted by town counsel and designate zoning to regulate medical marijuana growing facilities, particularly after being approached by an organization hoping to locate a medical marijuana dispensary in the area.
Mickey Martin, a medical cannabis business consultant, submitted documents on behalf of Uplifting Health and Wellness this month, including an organizational non-profit and patient services plan, a facility plan, a patient guidebook, and "Medical Marijuana 101," a book authored by Mr. Martin. The documents do not specify a location the organization is considering.
Medical use of marijuana by qualifying patients with debilitating medical conditions was passed by a state ballot vote in November. Under the law, up to 35 non-profit registered marijuana dispensaries can be permitted the first year. Town meeting voters passed a warrant article in June that would allow a one-year moratorium on medical marijuana dispensaries to give the town time to create zoning and regulations to deal with possible facilities. The Department of Public Health (DPH) finalized an application process and fee schedule for these dispensaries last month. Applications are due to DPH by Aug. 22, after which the list of applicants and proposed sites will be posted online at Medical Marijuana.
Town Administrator Rita Garbitt said the Planning Board needs to decide what zone dispensaries might be allowed in, suggesting that the board might choose the industrial zone, but the board needs "Not to let this go by the wayside, because June 30 – they really need to start holding hearings, probably in March, to go through the process."
Chairman of Selectman Scott Belliveau questioned whether the Economic Development Committee should also weigh in on the subject. Selectman Aaron Burke, who is a member of that committee, said he did not think that was necessary.
"No, no, because we do not see this as a viable economic built-in opportunity, although you probably could get a pretty good operation started over at the Lakeville Hospital site," Mr. Burke said. "Getting serious on this, it's really something that the Planning Board should start with to make those deadlines, because they should make the determination as to what the best area of town is for that. Because if they don't, then we have an issue of it could go anywhere, just like an adult business, in that regard."
Selectman John Powderly suggested that the Planning Board has two charges in regard to the dispensaries: to designate a general location for such facilities and to adopt a bylaw. He said he would like to see the board accept a draft prepared by town counsel, the Kopelman and Paige law firm.
"I don't want a charge on the bylaw except for adopting a Kopelman and Paige boilerplate – that we're not going to go back and forth on what we think the law about medical marijuana should be €¦ I don't want to get into spending legal money, back and forth, with what we think should happen," said Mr. Powderly.
The Planning Board will be required to hold public hearings on the bylaw and zone to be proposed, both of which must be passed by town meeting voters.
News Hawk- Truth Seeker 420 MAGAZINE ®
Source: southcoasttoday.com
Author: Cindy Dow
Contact: Contact Us
Website: Medical marijuana dispensary considered for Lakeville | SouthCoastToday.com
Mickey Martin, a medical cannabis business consultant, submitted documents on behalf of Uplifting Health and Wellness this month, including an organizational non-profit and patient services plan, a facility plan, a patient guidebook, and "Medical Marijuana 101," a book authored by Mr. Martin. The documents do not specify a location the organization is considering.
Medical use of marijuana by qualifying patients with debilitating medical conditions was passed by a state ballot vote in November. Under the law, up to 35 non-profit registered marijuana dispensaries can be permitted the first year. Town meeting voters passed a warrant article in June that would allow a one-year moratorium on medical marijuana dispensaries to give the town time to create zoning and regulations to deal with possible facilities. The Department of Public Health (DPH) finalized an application process and fee schedule for these dispensaries last month. Applications are due to DPH by Aug. 22, after which the list of applicants and proposed sites will be posted online at Medical Marijuana.
Town Administrator Rita Garbitt said the Planning Board needs to decide what zone dispensaries might be allowed in, suggesting that the board might choose the industrial zone, but the board needs "Not to let this go by the wayside, because June 30 – they really need to start holding hearings, probably in March, to go through the process."
Chairman of Selectman Scott Belliveau questioned whether the Economic Development Committee should also weigh in on the subject. Selectman Aaron Burke, who is a member of that committee, said he did not think that was necessary.
"No, no, because we do not see this as a viable economic built-in opportunity, although you probably could get a pretty good operation started over at the Lakeville Hospital site," Mr. Burke said. "Getting serious on this, it's really something that the Planning Board should start with to make those deadlines, because they should make the determination as to what the best area of town is for that. Because if they don't, then we have an issue of it could go anywhere, just like an adult business, in that regard."
Selectman John Powderly suggested that the Planning Board has two charges in regard to the dispensaries: to designate a general location for such facilities and to adopt a bylaw. He said he would like to see the board accept a draft prepared by town counsel, the Kopelman and Paige law firm.
"I don't want a charge on the bylaw except for adopting a Kopelman and Paige boilerplate – that we're not going to go back and forth on what we think the law about medical marijuana should be €¦ I don't want to get into spending legal money, back and forth, with what we think should happen," said Mr. Powderly.
The Planning Board will be required to hold public hearings on the bylaw and zone to be proposed, both of which must be passed by town meeting voters.
News Hawk- Truth Seeker 420 MAGAZINE ®
Source: southcoasttoday.com
Author: Cindy Dow
Contact: Contact Us
Website: Medical marijuana dispensary considered for Lakeville | SouthCoastToday.com
