Ron Strider
Well-Known Member
Along with holding signs near Draper Park Saturday morning, Milford CARES is preparing to host a community forum on recreational marijuana early next month.
The forum takes place Tuesday, Sept. 12, at 7 p.m. in Upper Town Hall, 52 Main St.
Geri Eddins said the Milford Community Against Recreational Marijuana Retail Establishments (CARES) group had about 22 people holding signs Saturday to advocate for a "yes" vote to ban recreational marijuana at the Sept. 19 special town election. The grassroots group is a registered ballot question committee whose mission is "to maintain the health, safety and integrity of our family community by informing Milford residents about the consequences imposed by retail sales of recreational marijuana," according to its website.
The forum will be its first large event.
"We are inviting all Milford residents no matter where they stand on the issues at this point to attend," Eddins said. "It is an open event."
She said the town has a ongoing drug problem.
"We are worried that if we put out the welcome mat to pot shops in our town that this is going to further degrade our image and think it will have a negative impact on our property values," Eddins said. "Other surrounding towns are voting to ban pot shops and with our location off (Interstate) 495, we are worried will become the pot shop destination."
She said the statewide ballot question allows for towns and cities the ability to ban such shops. The negative outweighs the benefits of allowing such shops, including tax revenue, she said.
"There is no guarantee that whatever the taxes and fees generate from the legal sales will fully cover the impact from the expenses we would incur for law enforcement, substance abuse prevention and treatment and other health care costs," Eddins said.
The forum will include presentations by several speakers, all of whom will also sit on a panel to answer questions from the audience as time permits. State Rep. Brian Murray, D-Milford, will provide an overview of the state's marijuana law. State Sen. Viriato M. deMacedo, R-Plymouth and Barnstable, who was a member of the Massachusetts Special Senate Committee on Marijuana, will identify lessons learned from Colorado in the three years since recreational marijuana was legalized and commercialized there. Dr. Jeffrey Hopkins, medical director of emergency services at Milford Regional Medical Center, will speak about public health issues. Members of Milford's Board of Selectmen and School Committee, as well as other community leaders, will also share their perspectives on this critical issue.
Milford CARES Chairwoman Donna Niro said in a press release that the group will try to field as many questions as possible from residents during the forum.
"Our goal is to have everyone who attends go home feeling like they have the answers they need to make the right decision at the ballot box on Sept. 19," she said.
News Moderator: Ron Strider 420 MAGAZINE ®
Full Article: Milford CARES to host forum on recreational pot before vote - News - Milford Daily News - Milford, MA
Author: Jonathan Phelps
Contact: Contact Us - Milford Daily News - Milford, MA
Photo Credit: Getty Images
Website: Milford Daily News: Local & World News, Sports & Entertainment in Milford, MA
The forum takes place Tuesday, Sept. 12, at 7 p.m. in Upper Town Hall, 52 Main St.
Geri Eddins said the Milford Community Against Recreational Marijuana Retail Establishments (CARES) group had about 22 people holding signs Saturday to advocate for a "yes" vote to ban recreational marijuana at the Sept. 19 special town election. The grassroots group is a registered ballot question committee whose mission is "to maintain the health, safety and integrity of our family community by informing Milford residents about the consequences imposed by retail sales of recreational marijuana," according to its website.
The forum will be its first large event.
"We are inviting all Milford residents no matter where they stand on the issues at this point to attend," Eddins said. "It is an open event."
She said the town has a ongoing drug problem.
"We are worried that if we put out the welcome mat to pot shops in our town that this is going to further degrade our image and think it will have a negative impact on our property values," Eddins said. "Other surrounding towns are voting to ban pot shops and with our location off (Interstate) 495, we are worried will become the pot shop destination."
She said the statewide ballot question allows for towns and cities the ability to ban such shops. The negative outweighs the benefits of allowing such shops, including tax revenue, she said.
"There is no guarantee that whatever the taxes and fees generate from the legal sales will fully cover the impact from the expenses we would incur for law enforcement, substance abuse prevention and treatment and other health care costs," Eddins said.
The forum will include presentations by several speakers, all of whom will also sit on a panel to answer questions from the audience as time permits. State Rep. Brian Murray, D-Milford, will provide an overview of the state's marijuana law. State Sen. Viriato M. deMacedo, R-Plymouth and Barnstable, who was a member of the Massachusetts Special Senate Committee on Marijuana, will identify lessons learned from Colorado in the three years since recreational marijuana was legalized and commercialized there. Dr. Jeffrey Hopkins, medical director of emergency services at Milford Regional Medical Center, will speak about public health issues. Members of Milford's Board of Selectmen and School Committee, as well as other community leaders, will also share their perspectives on this critical issue.
Milford CARES Chairwoman Donna Niro said in a press release that the group will try to field as many questions as possible from residents during the forum.
"Our goal is to have everyone who attends go home feeling like they have the answers they need to make the right decision at the ballot box on Sept. 19," she said.
News Moderator: Ron Strider 420 MAGAZINE ®
Full Article: Milford CARES to host forum on recreational pot before vote - News - Milford Daily News - Milford, MA
Author: Jonathan Phelps
Contact: Contact Us - Milford Daily News - Milford, MA
Photo Credit: Getty Images
Website: Milford Daily News: Local & World News, Sports & Entertainment in Milford, MA
