Community Corner

Speak Up in Community Discussion on Marijuana Policy

Let the town leaders know what you think Burlington's medical marijuana policy should look like.

The first of a series of community discussion on how the Town of Burlington should respond to the new medical marijuana law will be held at 7 p.m. on Wednesday in the Murray-Kelly Room in the Human Services Building. 

During the Nov. 6, 2012 election Massachusetts residents voted to allow the use of marijuana for medical purposes, as prescribed by a doctor, by a 63 to 37 percent margin. With the approval comes the creation of marijuana dispensaries—"non-profit treatment centers that will grow, process and provide marijuana to patients or their caregivers," according to the Secretary of State

There are already state regulations built into Question 3, which require the dispensaries to apply and pay for a Department of Public Health registration, as well as submit operating procedures, including the mandatory storage of marijuana in locked facilities.

Communities now need to set local regulations for dispensaries. What policies Burlington should adopt will be the main point of discussion on Wednesday night. 

In January of 2013, Burlington Town Meeting did pass a moratorium on dispensary applications in town. The moratorium prohibits any application for a marijuana dispensary until June 30 of 2014.

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The Planning Board recommended a moratorium, rather than a prohibition, because prohibitions have a history of being successfully challenged when are applied to legal activities.

The goal of the meetings is to come up with a warrant article for the May 2014 Town Meeting for what the town should do once the moratorium expires. 

Residents are asked to RSVP if they plan to speak at the meeting. Click here for the official meeting notice and how to RSVP

What do you think should be recommended tonight? Let us know in the comments section below. 

Find out what's happening in Burlingtonwith free, real-time updates from Patch.


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