By Melanie Petrucci, Senior Community Reporter
Shrewsbury – Selectman Chair John Lebeaux recused himself from the discussion of recreational marijuana sales at their meeting Dec. 12 and any future discussions. As Commissioner of the Massachusetts Department of Agricultural Resources and member of the statewide Cannabis Advisory Board, he felt there could be conflicts of interest. He turned the discussion over to Vice Chair Moira Miller.
“The purpose of the discussion is to review and to ask questions on the memo from town counsel and the town planner regarding recreational marijuana and options we might have in our community and whether – and this is the primary question for this board – will we move forward to prohibit or to regulate,” Miller explained.
“The town’s voters cast more ‘no’ votes than ‘yes’ on the November 2016 Ballot Question to legalize recreational marijuana and with the subsequent actions of the state legislature, the Board of Selectmen has the ability to sponsor a Warrant Article asking Town Meeting to consider the outright ban of recreational marijuana businesses within the town,” Town Manager Kevin Mizikar said. “It cannot come from a citizen’s petition.”
This was the first meeting at which the town manager and assistant town manager began to prepare potential bylaws to take to Town Meeting. Mizikar then shared various options – from banning sales to creating local controls and processes – that establishments would need to open a business. Mizikar also encouraged the board to formulate bylaw provisions in the event that an outright ban did not pass at Town Meeting.
Mizikar recommended a timeline that would ensure having bylaws in place by the April 1 target date for the Cannabis Control Commission to begin accepting applications and making decisions. The timeline includes opportunities for the board to discuss with staff and department heads to narrow the discussion to decision points, then have the Planning Board and Finance Committee weigh in, hold public hearings, review and sign the warrant in time for a proposed Special Town Meeting Monday, March 5.