Moratorium for marijuana establishments proposed

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By Joan F. Simoneau, Community Reporter

Marlborough – An order seeking the merits of an 18-month zoning moratorium for recreational marijuana establishments in the city was referred to the Legislative and Legal Affairs Committee for study and recommendation at the City Council’s June 5 meeting.

The order, co-sponsored by councilors Katie Robey and Peter Juaire, is designed “to ensure that the city’s current zoning ordinance offers appropriate zoning protections to neighborhoods in all sections of the city and until the Mass. legislature completes its review of the ballot initiative that led to the legalization of marijuana in the commonwealth.”

In the statewide election last November, voters approved a law allowing the cultivation, distribution, possession and use of marijuana for recreational purposes.

“In Marlborough the vote was 9,418 voting ‘yes’ and 8,536 voting in opposition,” said Robey. “Just as the council did for medical marijuana, I am hoping they will approve a moratorium for recreational marijuana so that once the legislature decides what it will do and regulations are written, we will have time to debate and adopt our own regulations for the use of recreational marijuana in Marlborough.”

Robey said she is in favor of allowing sales of recreational marijuana in the city and looks forward to discussions with residents and the council on the best way to proceed.

In other business, an order to amend the sign ordinance as it relates to Electronic Message Center (EMC) signs, to permit the display of pictures, was tabled. Councilor Juaire, sponsor of the order, said he had been approached by a lifelong city resident and businessman to make the appeal.

“He owns a real estate company and would like to display photos of employees as agents of the month and also include veterans’ photos on occasion,” Juaire said.

Several councilors spoke in opposition to making changes to the ordinance.

 

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