Swansea – The Board of Selectmen voted to defer a decision on a request by a business to place a marijuana growing and dispensary on property at 4 Sears Road.
The board members had met with Mackie Barch of Doctors Orders Health of Massachusetts the previous week and were expecting additional information to make a decision. Barch had been asking for a letter of non opposition for his proposal to place the facility in town on Sears Road. It was pointed out that the area is zoned for manufacturing, however, the sale of recreational marijuana was not allowed.
"The sale of any retail is not allowed in a manufacturing zone," Antinelli said reached later, "they can have medical marijuana sales with a permit from the Zoning Board."
Barch was not present last Tuesday, however, the son of the owner of the property being considered for the marijuana facility, Herman Camara, was present.
Camara noted that his father by the same name, had been ill and has been attempting to sell the property for the last several years.
"He has been 40 years there," his son said, and added that Doctor’s Orders Health was the first solid buyer.
"This company (Doctors Orders) has everything from A to Z covered." he said.
The son, who was paralyzed in a motorcycle accident as a teenager, noted that he uses the edible form of medical marijuana for his pain and it has been very successful.
Camara added that once recreational marijuana becomes legal in 2018, there would be no need for the companies that only sell medical marijuana. He pointed out that it cost over $200 to receive a card from a doctor that allows the use of medical marijuana and another $100 a year to renew. He said no one was going to spend money like that when they can buy the recreational marijuana without a permit from a doctor.
Barch had noted that his company would go to recreational marijuana when it became legal in this state.
Selectman Derek Heim had noted that he was reluctant to support the medical marijuana because it led to recreational marijuana. He also wanted to see the rules and regulations that are likely to be included in the recreational marijuana bill.
Chairman Robert Marquis noted that the agreement being offered by Barch "was not what I expected" when he reviewed the current proposal by the company that would bring a minimum of $35,000 a year to the town, or five percent of the net profit, whichever was greater.
Selectman Christopher Carreiro noted that he was not sure how good of a proposal this was compared to others.
Camara was allowed to speak on the issue and he noted that zoning could change to allow the retail sales of recreational marijuana. He also pointed out that the agreement being offered will be in perpetuity.
The sale would also clear the almost $186,000 in taxes and penalties owed on the property.
Chairman Marquis noted that he would like to review the proposal of others interested in bringing a medical marijuana facility to town.
McAuliffe noted that he had received word from one other company that showed interest and that they were licensed so therefore, not under the same deadline as Doctors Orders. Doctors Orders would like to get permission so they would be in position to be in business when he recreational marijuana facilities are made legal.
The board meets again prior to the January 7 deadline for Doctors Orders.
News Moderator: Katelyn Baker
Full Article: Marijuana Proposal Delayed In Swansea
Author: Bill Hall
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Website: South Coast Today
