Tuesday, December 11, 2012
Do you think town officials should work to to block medical marijuana dispensaries in town?
Updated Dec. 11, 12:31 p.m. Patch has learned that the Planning Board discussed a moratorium on applications for marijuana dispensaries but did not actually take a vote, as stated in the story below. The measure will be further discussed at an upcoming Planning Board meeting and a vote may be taken at that time. Original story: The Board of Selectmen discussed what, if anything, the board should do in response to the passage of Massachusetts legalization of medical marijuana during the meeting last night. The passage of ballot question 3 allows for medical marijuana dispensaries, up to five in each Massachusetts county. The new law goes into effect January 1, but requires rules and regulations be set up by the Department of Public Health. …
Friday, November 9, 2012
Town administrator says officials will look into the particulars of the new law to "understand what we're facing."
With the passage of Question 3 on Tuesday, cities and towns are left to set regulations for medical marijuana dispensaries. Voters approved 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 will also need to set …
Wednesday, October 17, 2012
A letter to the editor in opposition to 2012 Massachusetts State Ballot Question 3.
- OPINION
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Wednesday, October 17, 2012
The following is a letter to the editor by Marilyn G. Belmonte of the Burlington Drug & Alcohol Task Force: Dear Editor: I have been involved with educating communities about teen substance abuse and helping families torn apart by teen drug use. Ballot question 3 scares me. I am afraid for families of teenagers, Massachusetts schools, and mostly for our children. At first glance, the question appears to allow safe access of marijuana for our sick and suffering citizens. But the question is does NOT match up with the actual proposed law. Ballot Question 3 may sound compassionate, but it was written with negligence for our teens. If passed, what would the proposed law allow? Read bill H3885 for yourself. Is this proposal written for …
Friday, October 12, 2012
A look at marijuana dispensaries and effects in states with legalization.
- OPINION
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Friday, October 12, 2012
The following is a guest column by Marilyn G. Belmonte of the Burlington Drug & Alcohol Task Force: Marijuana Dispensaries In those states that have legalized marijuana for self-reported medical use, any resident can obtain marijuana for almost any symptom because the state laws are not written to confine marijuana only for the seriously ill. The wording of the laws list cancer, glaucoma and HIV but also list “any other illness” which leaves the law open to interpretation. The process of obtaining “medical” marijuana is fairly simple. First, patients need to find a doctor who will recommend marijuana. Marijuana is not a prescription drug, so doctors can only recommend the use. Most doctors do not recommend marijuana for their patients…
Carol Vachon
2:15 pm on Friday, March 8, 2013
Leaving aside the issuse of efficacy (although I personally believe that it would be beneficial to those with chronic illnesses) and the fact that marijuana is still illegal from a federal perspective, and focusing soley on the fact that the law in favor of medical marijuana has passed in Massachusetts, I would suggest that we try the establishment of a special zone for the sale of medical … more ›