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Taunton city leaders don't deny that it's now legal to open medical marijuana treatment centers in Massachusetts. But they are taking preemptive measures to restrict where the so-called pot clinics can operate in the Silver City.
The City Council last week moved toward adopting ordinance amendments to designate what constitutes a medical marijuana treatment center, and second of all to prohibit those facilities from being established anywhere except within an area zoned business/industrial.
Those changes were recommended by planning and conservation director Kevin Scanlon, who also advises that a pot dispensary be categorized as an industrial district SP2, a designation requiring a special permit from the Council.
Restricting dispensaries to local industrial zones – including both industrial parks and a portion of Route 44 – would be "the least controversial" in terms of placement, Scanlon said.
He stressed that whatever changes ultimately are adopted must be unambiguous and straightforward, so that the city doesn't open itself up to potentially costly legal challenges.
Mayor Thomas Hoye Jr. cautioned against any overreaction that could be construed as legally unjustifiable.
"We need to take a sensible approach," Hoye said. "First and foremost we've got to recognize that the voters overwhelmingly supported (the ballot measure) and to honor that vote."
Last November's vote percentage – in Taunton and collectively as a state – was more than 60 percent in favor of legalizing the non-profit treatment centers.
Taunton Police Chief Edward Walsh said while there is potential for abuse in terms of questionable prescriptions, he said it serves no useful purpose to banish pot clinics from areas other than industrial zones.
"How can I object to a marijuana dispensary downtown when there's already a methadone clinic downtown?" said Walsh, who added that studies in California indicate a decrease in reported crimes in areas where pot dispensaries operate.
Massachusetts voters in 2008 approved an initiative that decriminalized possession of an ounce or less of marijuana. Walsh said he won't be surprised if marijuana becomes legal in Massachusetts within the next three to five years.
"I don't see this as a game-changer," he said of the 2011 vote legalizing physician-authorized marijuana for patients suffering from painful or debilitating diseases and ailments.
Walsh said the major drug menace in Taunton continues to be the proliferation and sale of addictive "opioids," specifically heroin and prescription pain killers.
"I'm not going to spend a lot of resources on it," Walsh said, referring to the possibility of monitoring the day-to-day operations of a medical marijuana treatment facility.
"There's a certain perception and fear of the unknown," added Walsh, who likened initial resistance to medical marijuana clinics to the legalization of gay marriage in Massachusetts.
News Hawk- TruthSeekr420 420 MAGAZINE
Source: tauntongazette.com
Author: Charles Winokoor
Contact: The Taunton Daily Gazette Contact Us
Website: Taunton officials take
The City Council last week moved toward adopting ordinance amendments to designate what constitutes a medical marijuana treatment center, and second of all to prohibit those facilities from being established anywhere except within an area zoned business/industrial.
Those changes were recommended by planning and conservation director Kevin Scanlon, who also advises that a pot dispensary be categorized as an industrial district SP2, a designation requiring a special permit from the Council.
Restricting dispensaries to local industrial zones – including both industrial parks and a portion of Route 44 – would be "the least controversial" in terms of placement, Scanlon said.
He stressed that whatever changes ultimately are adopted must be unambiguous and straightforward, so that the city doesn't open itself up to potentially costly legal challenges.
Mayor Thomas Hoye Jr. cautioned against any overreaction that could be construed as legally unjustifiable.
"We need to take a sensible approach," Hoye said. "First and foremost we've got to recognize that the voters overwhelmingly supported (the ballot measure) and to honor that vote."
Last November's vote percentage – in Taunton and collectively as a state – was more than 60 percent in favor of legalizing the non-profit treatment centers.
Taunton Police Chief Edward Walsh said while there is potential for abuse in terms of questionable prescriptions, he said it serves no useful purpose to banish pot clinics from areas other than industrial zones.
"How can I object to a marijuana dispensary downtown when there's already a methadone clinic downtown?" said Walsh, who added that studies in California indicate a decrease in reported crimes in areas where pot dispensaries operate.
Massachusetts voters in 2008 approved an initiative that decriminalized possession of an ounce or less of marijuana. Walsh said he won't be surprised if marijuana becomes legal in Massachusetts within the next three to five years.
"I don't see this as a game-changer," he said of the 2011 vote legalizing physician-authorized marijuana for patients suffering from painful or debilitating diseases and ailments.
Walsh said the major drug menace in Taunton continues to be the proliferation and sale of addictive "opioids," specifically heroin and prescription pain killers.
"I'm not going to spend a lot of resources on it," Walsh said, referring to the possibility of monitoring the day-to-day operations of a medical marijuana treatment facility.
"There's a certain perception and fear of the unknown," added Walsh, who likened initial resistance to medical marijuana clinics to the legalization of gay marriage in Massachusetts.
News Hawk- TruthSeekr420 420 MAGAZINE
Source: tauntongazette.com
Author: Charles Winokoor
Contact: The Taunton Daily Gazette Contact Us
Website: Taunton officials take
