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Even though Massachusetts recently approved the use of medical marijuana, some regional towns have decided that they would rather not have dispensaries become open for business.
According to the Boston Herald, Reading and Wakefield recently banned medical marijuana facilities. Other municipalities, which include Peabody and Melrose, are also considering bans. Reading, Wakefield, and Melrose share a public health director. Malden, Salem, and Woburn are considering zoning restrictions that would limit the placement of a dispensary in relation to proximity to schools, parks, and other places where children congregate. Peabody is planning to allow dispensaries only along Route 1. Other zoning proposals would treat dispensaries like adult zoning, allowing placement only on the edges of industrial districts.
Tewksbury is currently in the exploration stage, according to Director of Community of Development Steve Sadwick.
"So, there are a number of options out there right now," he said.
The Planning Board is in the process of determining the best option for Tewksbury.
"And, if there is a need for zoning action to take place, they will file an article for the annual town meeting, the warrant closing sometime next month," he said. Selectmen decided Tuesday night to close the warrant February 22 at 4:30 pm.
Sadwick said that there is a "strong interest on the public safety side to follow suit with what's occurred with Reading, Melrose, and Wakefield."
"We're starting conversations," he said.
Wilmington is also taking a wait-and-see approach.
"We're waiting for recommendations to come down from the Department of Public Health (DPH)," said Director of Public Health Shelly Newhouse. "We're just going to wait and see and take some advice from DPH and go from there."
The recommendations should come in May, she said.
According to a fact sheet issued by the Department of Public Health, medical marijuana dispensaries cannot open until regulations are in place. The DPH also cannot issue any registration cards. DPH's regulations will reflect input from various stakeholders, and the Department will hold a hearing and comment period to allow for further public input before the regulations are finalized.
In the first year, the law allows DPH to register up to 35 non-profit treatment centers across the state, with at least one but no more than five centers per county. The non-profit treatment centers would be registered under the law to grow, process, and dispense marijuana to qualified patients.
News Hawk- TruthSeekr420 420 MAGAZINE
Source: homenewshere.com
Author: Jon Bishop
Contact: Homenewshere.com: Contact
Website: Towns Weigh Medical Marijuana Dispensary Options - Wilmington Town Crier: News
According to the Boston Herald, Reading and Wakefield recently banned medical marijuana facilities. Other municipalities, which include Peabody and Melrose, are also considering bans. Reading, Wakefield, and Melrose share a public health director. Malden, Salem, and Woburn are considering zoning restrictions that would limit the placement of a dispensary in relation to proximity to schools, parks, and other places where children congregate. Peabody is planning to allow dispensaries only along Route 1. Other zoning proposals would treat dispensaries like adult zoning, allowing placement only on the edges of industrial districts.
Tewksbury is currently in the exploration stage, according to Director of Community of Development Steve Sadwick.
"So, there are a number of options out there right now," he said.
The Planning Board is in the process of determining the best option for Tewksbury.
"And, if there is a need for zoning action to take place, they will file an article for the annual town meeting, the warrant closing sometime next month," he said. Selectmen decided Tuesday night to close the warrant February 22 at 4:30 pm.
Sadwick said that there is a "strong interest on the public safety side to follow suit with what's occurred with Reading, Melrose, and Wakefield."
"We're starting conversations," he said.
Wilmington is also taking a wait-and-see approach.
"We're waiting for recommendations to come down from the Department of Public Health (DPH)," said Director of Public Health Shelly Newhouse. "We're just going to wait and see and take some advice from DPH and go from there."
The recommendations should come in May, she said.
According to a fact sheet issued by the Department of Public Health, medical marijuana dispensaries cannot open until regulations are in place. The DPH also cannot issue any registration cards. DPH's regulations will reflect input from various stakeholders, and the Department will hold a hearing and comment period to allow for further public input before the regulations are finalized.
In the first year, the law allows DPH to register up to 35 non-profit treatment centers across the state, with at least one but no more than five centers per county. The non-profit treatment centers would be registered under the law to grow, process, and dispense marijuana to qualified patients.
News Hawk- TruthSeekr420 420 MAGAZINE
Source: homenewshere.com
Author: Jon Bishop
Contact: Homenewshere.com: Contact
Website: Towns Weigh Medical Marijuana Dispensary Options - Wilmington Town Crier: News
