Pubdate: Wed, 02 Jan 2013 Source: Boston Herald (MA) Copyright: 2013 Associated Press Contact: http://news.bostonherald.com/ Details: http://www.mapinc.org/media/53 Note: Prints only very short LTEs. Page: 10 BAY STATE TOWNS MOVE TO RESTRICT 'POT SHOPS' Massachusetts voters may have enthusiastically approved the legalization of medical marijuana, but that hasn't stopped communities throughout the state from rushing to amend their zoning regulations to make sure marijuana dispensaries are banned or restricted in their towns. Although the law went into effect yesterday, the Department of Public Health has until May 1 to issue regulations for dispensaries. Meanwhile, some cities and towns are working to keep out dispensaries, or "pot shops" as they are often called. In Wakefield and Reading, the towns have already approved bans. The Massachusetts Municipal Association is calling for a six-month delay in implementing the law to give communities more time to review their local bylaws. "People are concerned about how broad the law was written and that the dispensaries could be used by more than just people with medical issues," said Ruth Clay, the health director for Wakefield, Reading and Melrose, suggesting marijuana dispensaries could "send a mixed message to youths." The law eliminates civil and criminal penalties for pot use by people with a doctor's recommendation. Opponents say DPH - already facing the drug lab and fungal meningitis scandals - will not be able to prevent abuses. "We have the benefit that we are not the first state doing this, there are 17 other states that have done this ... so we don't have to do this completely in the dark," said Dr. Lauren Smith, interim DPH commissioner. "We can look at what has worked well and what hasn't worked well in other states." - --- MAP posted-by: Jay Bergstrom