West Springfield – The West Springfield Town Council voted Monday to amend the expiration date for the town’s moratorium on recreational marijuana facilities to reflect changes in the state’s timetable for allowing retail sales of the drug.
Over 53 percent of Massachusetts voters approved a statewide ballot initiative in November allowing adults 21 and over to possess and use limited amounts of pot and grow up to a dozen plants in their homes. The new law, which took effect Dec. 15, allows marijuana to be sold commercially, but state lawmakers voted to delay retail sales until July 1, 2018.
In West Springfield, the moratorium runs through Dec. 31, 2018, which is six months longer than the state’s temporary ban on retail pot.
"In this circumstance, the state actually extended their moratorium so (it) expires in July 2018. Ours, I’m asking, would expire in December 2018," Reichelt said during Monday’s public hearing on the amendment. There was no opposition to the amendment, which was unanimously approved by the council.
"It allows us to see what the state actually gives us for rules and regulations, and kind of tells us what our authority is going to be and how we’re going to be able to zone," Reichelt said. "This should give us enough time to see what the state comes out with, then see how we’re going to implement it here."
The town can extend or roll back the moratorium if necessary, according to the mayor.
Massachusetts lawmakers pushed through the six-month delay in late December, saying they needed more time to tinker with the voter-approved marijuana measure. A state Cannabis Control Commission, expected to be in place by Sept. 1, will have sole supervision and regulatory authority over marijuana establishments.
News Moderator: Katelyn Baker
Full Article: West Springfield Amends Recreational Pot Moratorium
Author: Conor Berry
Contact: 413-731-1036
Photo Credit: David Zalubowski
Website: MassLive
