Truth Seeker
New Member
Needham voters overwhelmingly favored the state ballot question that pushed forward the legalization of medical marijuana in Massachusetts, with 9865 (58 percent) residents voting yes and 6231 (37 percent) voting no.
But questions remain over how exactly the newly passed law–which could potentially bring in marijuana dispensaries into Needham or nearby towns–will affect the town.
"It's quite unclear what happens next," said Board of Health member Ed Cosgrove.
The Board of Health has "made our position fairly clear," said Cosgrove, who said he maintains the board's stance from a Sept. 11 Board of Selectmen presentation. During the meeting, the board called the proposed bill impractical, too open-ended and possibly harmful to the community's health and safety.
Cosgrove said officials should address issues of health that the law may bring to Needham. "The Selectmen need to take into consideration the fact that marijuana can be abused," he said.
"There needs to be a reexamination of town regulations of smoking in public," Cosgrove added. "Smoke from marijuana is just as toxic as tobacco smoke."
Officials say they will be looking at possible zoning, safety and health regulations. Selectman Moe Handel said he would look to the town's Planning Board for advice in how to regulate a possible dispensary in town.
"This is a new and very different kind of activity," said Handel. "This does have an impact on the community."
"It's different than other businesses because it's a not-for-profit business," he added.
The measure approved through Question 3 on the Nov. 6 election ballot made Massachusetts the 18th state in the U.S. to legalize the medical use of marijuana.
The new law allows doctors to certify certain patients with debilitating medical conditions such as cancer, ALS or Parkinson's disease for medical marijuana. Patients can then apply for a registration card that allows for 60 days' worth of marijuana. The Massachusetts Department of Public Health is charged with defining exactly how much marijuana that is, as well as registering at least one, but no more than five, treatment centers in each county. It could initially register up to 35 nonprofit marijuana dispensaries.
Patients who could not access a treatment center because of "financial hardship, physical inability to access reasonable transportation or distance," according to the ballot measure, could register to grow their own plants in their homes.
The law, which will take effect Jan. 1, calls for the DPH to issue a set of regulations within 120 days after that.
As of now, public consumption of marijuana, medicinal or otherwise, is illegal, said Handel. Additionally, Needham has particularly stringent regulations regarding smoking–tobacco sales are banned in pharmacies, such as CVS or Walgreen's, and the smoking age in town is 21 instead of 18.
In response to the 2008 decriminalization of possessing small amounts of marijuana in Massachusetts, Needham officials have also been working on bylaws to hike fines for possessing the drug.
Although the proposed town bylaws, which would add fines of up to $300 in addition to the existing penalties of $100, are not directly related to the recent medical marijuana state law, Cosgrove said they are meant partially to send a strong message about marijuana.
"The message is that we view this as a serious issue. While it's a not criminal offense, it's serious enough that it warrants a higher penalty," he said.
Director of Youth Services Jon Mattleman said that, even as officials work to pass appropriate regulations on medical marijuana, parents should be wary of the potential increase in marijuana accessibility.
"Clearly, this is a potent drug," said Mattleman. "Parents need to think about the fact that children can get marijuana readily through many ways. They need to talk to their children about substance abuse at a young age."
News Hawk- TruthSeekr420 420 MAGAZINE
Source: wickedlocal.com
Author: Wei-Huan Chen
Contact: Needham Times Contact Us
Website: Needham officials wary over medical marijuana - Needham, Massachusetts - Needham Times
But questions remain over how exactly the newly passed law–which could potentially bring in marijuana dispensaries into Needham or nearby towns–will affect the town.
"It's quite unclear what happens next," said Board of Health member Ed Cosgrove.
The Board of Health has "made our position fairly clear," said Cosgrove, who said he maintains the board's stance from a Sept. 11 Board of Selectmen presentation. During the meeting, the board called the proposed bill impractical, too open-ended and possibly harmful to the community's health and safety.
Cosgrove said officials should address issues of health that the law may bring to Needham. "The Selectmen need to take into consideration the fact that marijuana can be abused," he said.
"There needs to be a reexamination of town regulations of smoking in public," Cosgrove added. "Smoke from marijuana is just as toxic as tobacco smoke."
Officials say they will be looking at possible zoning, safety and health regulations. Selectman Moe Handel said he would look to the town's Planning Board for advice in how to regulate a possible dispensary in town.
"This is a new and very different kind of activity," said Handel. "This does have an impact on the community."
"It's different than other businesses because it's a not-for-profit business," he added.
The measure approved through Question 3 on the Nov. 6 election ballot made Massachusetts the 18th state in the U.S. to legalize the medical use of marijuana.
The new law allows doctors to certify certain patients with debilitating medical conditions such as cancer, ALS or Parkinson's disease for medical marijuana. Patients can then apply for a registration card that allows for 60 days' worth of marijuana. The Massachusetts Department of Public Health is charged with defining exactly how much marijuana that is, as well as registering at least one, but no more than five, treatment centers in each county. It could initially register up to 35 nonprofit marijuana dispensaries.
Patients who could not access a treatment center because of "financial hardship, physical inability to access reasonable transportation or distance," according to the ballot measure, could register to grow their own plants in their homes.
The law, which will take effect Jan. 1, calls for the DPH to issue a set of regulations within 120 days after that.
As of now, public consumption of marijuana, medicinal or otherwise, is illegal, said Handel. Additionally, Needham has particularly stringent regulations regarding smoking–tobacco sales are banned in pharmacies, such as CVS or Walgreen's, and the smoking age in town is 21 instead of 18.
In response to the 2008 decriminalization of possessing small amounts of marijuana in Massachusetts, Needham officials have also been working on bylaws to hike fines for possessing the drug.
Although the proposed town bylaws, which would add fines of up to $300 in addition to the existing penalties of $100, are not directly related to the recent medical marijuana state law, Cosgrove said they are meant partially to send a strong message about marijuana.
"The message is that we view this as a serious issue. While it's a not criminal offense, it's serious enough that it warrants a higher penalty," he said.
Director of Youth Services Jon Mattleman said that, even as officials work to pass appropriate regulations on medical marijuana, parents should be wary of the potential increase in marijuana accessibility.
"Clearly, this is a potent drug," said Mattleman. "Parents need to think about the fact that children can get marijuana readily through many ways. They need to talk to their children about substance abuse at a young age."
News Hawk- TruthSeekr420 420 MAGAZINE
Source: wickedlocal.com
Author: Wei-Huan Chen
Contact: Needham Times Contact Us
Website: Needham officials wary over medical marijuana - Needham, Massachusetts - Needham Times
