Pubdate: Mon, 26 Nov 2012
Source: Worcester Telegram & Gazette (MA)
Copyright: 2012 Worcester Telegram & Gazette
Contact:  http://www.telegram.com/
Details: http://www.mapinc.org/media/509
Note: Rarely prints LTEs from outside circulation area - requires 
'Letter to the Editor' in subject
Author: Scott J. Croteau

WORCESTER OFFICIALS CONCERNED OVER MEDICAL MARIJUANA DISPENSARY SITES

WORCESTER -- The newly passed state medical marijuana law has city 
officials concerned about dispensaries being placed in the city and 
their effects on neighborhoods.

Illicit sales of marijuana are at the center of much of the city's 
violence, and police officials are concerned that the new law could 
mean an increase in targets for home invasions and other violence.

"The voters have spoken and the commonwealth will allow medical uses 
of marijuana," City Manager Michael V. O'Brien said. "That horse has 
left the barn. Now the devil will be in the details as to how these 
regulations will be drafted by the state and what controls, oversight 
and enforcement provisions will be contained within. Like all, we are 
very sympathetic toward all that face such medical conditions that 
warrant this type of medical treatment."

The Nov. 6 ballot question making Massachusetts a medical marijuana 
state says 35 dispensaries can be set up throughout the state. The 
state Department of Public Health is working on regulations.

Some communities have discussed bylaws to block the distribution 
centers from coming to them. At a recent town meeting, Wakefield 
passed a bylaw prohibiting medical marijuana centers in town.

The Worcester City Council has asked the city administration for a 
report on the state-sanctioned marijuana distribution centers and the 
associated zoning, permitting and other questions involved.

Councilor-at-Large Konstantina B. Lukes requested the report, 
believing that Worcester will most likely be a landing spot for one 
of the centers.

"Worcester cannot avoid being one of those locations," she said. She 
believes it will be at least a couple of years before the measure is 
fully enacted, but has concerns about what a dispensary will do to 
the character of a neighborhood.

"The most sensible thing is to put the dispensaries in hospitals, but 
I'm not sure hospitals are going to want that responsibility," Ms. Lukes said.

Mr. O'Brien understands the ballot question passed because voters had 
compassion for people, but said those who voted "yes" to the ballot 
question might not be the same people who would vote "yes" to a 
dispensary being placed near their homes.

The city has a multi-departmental internal team reviewing the issue. 
Included will be discussions with the council and community about 
their concerns. There are myriad questions city officials have about 
such things as zoning and enforcement of violations or abuse at the facilities.

"We are rightfully concerned. All the negative potential of this very 
well-intentioned legislation will manifest itself in our cities and 
towns," Mr. O'Brien said. "The promulgation of these regulations must 
be closely watched and all must participate in the public hearings 
and public comment periods."

Police officials are waiting to see what regulations and controls are 
put into place.

One special concern voiced by some police officials and by members of 
the vice squad is the regulation concerning the hardship portion of 
the law. It permits people to grow their own 60-day supply of the 
drug if they are allowed marijuana for medicinal use.

There have been home invasions in the city in which the theft of 
marijuana was a motive in the crime, the chief said. Of course those 
cases involved the illegal sale of the drug, but police are concerned 
people growing marijuana for medicinal purposes could become targets as well.

"The biggest safety concern is, are people going to become a target?" 
Chief Gemme said. "Also, are people going to grow it and sell it?"

The chief hopes the state takes input from local law enforcement 
agencies while putting the regulations together. His officials wonder 
how a 60-day supply of the drug is regulated for people allowed to 
have it under the law.

Areas surrounding dispensaries in other states with medical marijuana 
laws also have experienced crime at the facilities and around them, he said.

"This is a reality and we have to come up with a way to handle this 
new law but also enforce crime and keep the community safe," Chief Gemme said.

Ms. Lukes said there is still the question of how the federal 
government will handle the new law. Federal law says marijuana is an 
illegal substance, but it is unclear how the federal agencies will 
deal with the new law here.

"This (law) is fraught with landmines," she said.

The legalization of medical marijuana and the ability for people to 
grow it interrupt an illegal trade that has been profitable for those 
involved, Ms. Lukes said.

She anticipates a turf war between those who grow it under the new 
law and those involved in the illegal side of pot growing and 
selling. More violence could be the end result, she said.

There is a concern about who will receive medicinal marijuana. 
Opponents of the law argued there are loopholes in the law and there 
are too many possibilities for people to receive medicinal marijuana.

"I believe, along with many other people, that this is a backdoor way 
to legalize marijuana altogether," Ms. Lukes said.
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