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Quincy officials concerned about drug abuse say they will seek host agreements with the owners of medical marijuana dispensaries, much like the deals being forged between casino developers and communities wary of gambling.
Mayor Thomas Koch and the city council said they are in favor of offering host agreements to owners who are seeking to open a marijuana dispensary in the city. The agreements, like those signed with casinos, are intended to help mitigate the potentially negative impact of a new facility.
However, unlike the casino host agreements, which are required by state law, the marijuana agreements are voluntary, meaning an owner could open a dispensary in Quincy without signing the agreement.
"There's nothing we can force them to do," Ward 4 City Councilor Brian Palmucci said. "But the fact is, we're putting it out there: We want to have a discussion."
At-large city Councilor Doug Gutro said he got the idea for dispensary host agreements from Salem officials, who are drafting a host agreement. Palmucci said he expects Quincy to be one of the first communities to actually put one in place.
Palmucci said he's heard directly from at least four people who are interested in opening a medical marijuana dispensary in Quincy. The state Department of Public Health has received applications from 14 people seeking to open a dispensary in Norfolk County, and Palmucci expects many of them will seek a spot in Quincy.
Palmucci said the host agreements will ask prospective dispensary owners to address some of the major concerns expressed by city officials and community members. For example, Palmucci said he would like an owner to install surveillance cameras in front of a dispensary that can be viewed by police at all times.
"I think this would help offset some of the concerns about increased crimes in these locations," Palmucci said.
Palmucci also suggested that owners should pledge to support drug-abuse prevention programs and help educate local kids about the dangers of using marijuana recreationally.
In June, the city council approved an ordinance that prohibits dispensaries from opening within 1,500 feet of a residential district, school, child-care center, liquor-selling establishment or other marijuana dispensaries. Although the city's zoning board of appeals can deny applications for dispensaries, the state's Department of Public Health ultimately has the final say.
Last week, Palmucci, Gutro and Councilor Brad Croall proposed the idea of drafting a host agreement for dispensaries. Christopher Walker, spokesman for Koch, said the mayor, who is in charge of negotiating the city's contracts and agreements, supports the councilor's initiative.
"It adds a layer of oversight," Walker said.
Quincy is one of only a handful of local communities that have approved regulations that allow medical marijuana dispensaries to open. Most towns, including Weymouth, Hingham and Marshfield, have imposed one-year moratoriums on dispensaries that expire next spring.
David Kibbe, spokesman for the state Department of Public Health, said the state will likely approve the first set of dispensaries by the end of the year.
News Hawk- Truth Seeker 420 MAGAZINE ®
Source: patriotledger.com
Author: Patrick Ronan
Contact: The Patriot Ledger Contact Us
Website: Quincy to seek agreements with pot dispensary owners - Quincy, MA - The Patriot Ledger
Mayor Thomas Koch and the city council said they are in favor of offering host agreements to owners who are seeking to open a marijuana dispensary in the city. The agreements, like those signed with casinos, are intended to help mitigate the potentially negative impact of a new facility.
However, unlike the casino host agreements, which are required by state law, the marijuana agreements are voluntary, meaning an owner could open a dispensary in Quincy without signing the agreement.
"There's nothing we can force them to do," Ward 4 City Councilor Brian Palmucci said. "But the fact is, we're putting it out there: We want to have a discussion."
At-large city Councilor Doug Gutro said he got the idea for dispensary host agreements from Salem officials, who are drafting a host agreement. Palmucci said he expects Quincy to be one of the first communities to actually put one in place.
Palmucci said he's heard directly from at least four people who are interested in opening a medical marijuana dispensary in Quincy. The state Department of Public Health has received applications from 14 people seeking to open a dispensary in Norfolk County, and Palmucci expects many of them will seek a spot in Quincy.
Palmucci said the host agreements will ask prospective dispensary owners to address some of the major concerns expressed by city officials and community members. For example, Palmucci said he would like an owner to install surveillance cameras in front of a dispensary that can be viewed by police at all times.
"I think this would help offset some of the concerns about increased crimes in these locations," Palmucci said.
Palmucci also suggested that owners should pledge to support drug-abuse prevention programs and help educate local kids about the dangers of using marijuana recreationally.
In June, the city council approved an ordinance that prohibits dispensaries from opening within 1,500 feet of a residential district, school, child-care center, liquor-selling establishment or other marijuana dispensaries. Although the city's zoning board of appeals can deny applications for dispensaries, the state's Department of Public Health ultimately has the final say.
Last week, Palmucci, Gutro and Councilor Brad Croall proposed the idea of drafting a host agreement for dispensaries. Christopher Walker, spokesman for Koch, said the mayor, who is in charge of negotiating the city's contracts and agreements, supports the councilor's initiative.
"It adds a layer of oversight," Walker said.
Quincy is one of only a handful of local communities that have approved regulations that allow medical marijuana dispensaries to open. Most towns, including Weymouth, Hingham and Marshfield, have imposed one-year moratoriums on dispensaries that expire next spring.
David Kibbe, spokesman for the state Department of Public Health, said the state will likely approve the first set of dispensaries by the end of the year.
News Hawk- Truth Seeker 420 MAGAZINE ®
Source: patriotledger.com
Author: Patrick Ronan
Contact: The Patriot Ledger Contact Us
Website: Quincy to seek agreements with pot dispensary owners - Quincy, MA - The Patriot Ledger
