State Strikes Down Bans on Medical Marijuana Facilities

Milford is among the Massachusetts towns and cities that proposes to allow the facilities, through a special permit. Towns that have proposed outright bans are being told that's illegal.

When state voters approve something through a referendum, individual towns can't prohibit it.  That's the gist of a state Attorney General's Office ruling, which strikes down bans on medical marijuana facilities, as conflicting with state law. In November, state voters overwhelmingly approved a ballot referendum that allowed medical marijuana treatment facilities and dispensaries. Attorney General Martha Coakley's decision came in a review of a bylaw approved in Wakefield. Towns are able to adopt zoning bylaws that will regulate the treatment centers, as well as enact temporary moratoriums on development of the centers, according to the Attorney General's Office. In Milford, the Board of Selectmen will place an article on the upcoming …

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Annual Town Meeting 2013

Medical Marijuana, an Industrial Zone Proposal

The Planning Board on Tuesday did not discuss proposed zoning for medical marijuana dispensaries due to a lack of attending members.

The Planning Board postponed its discussion of proposed zoning for medical marijuana treatment centers because two of five members did not attend the meeting, and the remaining board members said they wanted a full discussion of the issue. The initial proposal before the board would place medical marijuana treatment centers in either the industrial A or B zones. These zones include the Maple Street, Fortune Boulevard and Beaver Street areas. The proposed zoning setback, which would require the facilities to be at least 200 feet from churches, schools, houses, residential zones and public spaces such as parks, is similar to restrictions required for adult entertainment, said Town Planner Larry Dunkin. The Planning Board next meets in …

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Medical Marijuana Zoning Considered

The Planning Board on Tuesday will discuss a proposal to limit medical marijuana dispensaries to two industrial zones.

Medical marijuana treatment centers, authorized by Massachusetts voters in November, would be limited to two industrial zones in Milford, under a proposal to be discussed for the first time Tuesday. The industrial B and C zones run along Fortune Boulevard, Beaver Street, Maple Street and Industrial Drive, said town Planner Larry Dunkin. The proposed zoning amendment would also require a 200 foot setback from residential zones, schools, churches, parks, playgrounds or youth centers, under the draft. The Planning Board on Tuesday will discuss the proposal for the first time. After suggesting changes, a public hearing would be scheduled. Any vote to adopt the zoning amendment will require a two-thirds approval of Town Meeting representatives…

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With Medical Marijuana Approved, Milford Eyes Zoning for Dispensaries

Massachusetts voters approved medical marijuana by a two-to-one margin. Milford will take a look at its zoning to prepare for any dispensary that may be located here.

Two weeks ago, voters in Massachusetts approved marijuana for medical purposes by a 2-to-1 margin. The Milford vote was not as wide, but most voters supported the ballot question. The intiative will authorize 35 treatment centers for medical marijuana across the state. Under current zoning, Milford has not accounted for these kinds of treatment centers, or dispensaries. That's soon going to change. Milford Selectmen agreed Monday to ask the town's Planning Board, which oversees zoning, to recommend areas of town that would be suitable for a dispensary, and what restrictions should be applied, if one were to be located here. Some towns, including Quincy, have already said they will try to restrict the location of dispensaries through zoning…

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TELL US: How Would You Feel About Having a Marijuana Dispensary in Town?

The medical marijuana ballot initiative passed on Tuesday, which means up to 35 medical marijuana dispensaries can open in 2013. Would you be OK with having one in town?

  Medical marijuana is coming to Massachusetts. The question is: where? The medical marijana ballot initiative that passed in Tuesday's election with 63 percent voter approval means that up to 35 medical marijuana dispensaries can open up in the state in 2013. The new law goes into effect Jan. 1, but requires rules and regulations be set up by the Department of Public Health.  Some towns and cities, such as Quincy, reportedly are already trying to line up regulations that would keep dispensaries out of their municipalities, which have proved troublesome in some of the nine states where medical marijuana dispensaries have been legal. What do you think? Tell us in our comments section below. 

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Alexander Saunders

8:43 pm on Thursday, February 21, 2013

I see no problem with it at all its better to get clean medical marijuana that helps rather then it being laced more living then less living   more ›