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."
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MAP posted-by: Jay Bergstrom