Pubdate: Sat, 17 May 2014
Source: Patriot Ledger, The  (Quincy, MA)
Copyright: 2014 GateHouse Media, Inc.
Contact:  http://www.patriotledger.com/
Details: http://www.mapinc.org/media/1619
Author: Christian Schiavone

WEYMOUTH TOWN COUNCIL EYES MEDICAL MARIJUANA SHOP RESTRICTIONS

The town council will hold public hearings Monday night on proposals
that would restrict where dispensaries could open and impose strict
licensing requirements for legal pot purveyors, covering everything
from who can enter a dispensary to requiring facilities to have
security cameras.

WEYMOUTH - Town officials are looking to clamp down on the rules for
medical marijuana dispensaries before any look to open up shop in Weymouth.

The town council will hold public hearings Monday night on proposals
that would restrict where dispensaries could open and impose strict
licensing requirements for legal pot purveyors, covering everything
from who can enter a dispensary to requiring facilities to have
security cameras.

"We want to make sure we have good control over it and that public
safety is adequately addressed," Mayor Susan Kay said. "We can't get
rid of it, but we can regulate it."

In November 2012, Massachusetts voters approved the legalization of
medical marijuana for people suffering from debilitating conditions.
The Weymouth council last year approved a moratorium on dispensaries,
which ran out May 1. No dispensaries have yet been proposed for
Weymouth, but the state has given preliminary approval for one in West
Quincy.

The Weymouth council is considering a zoning change already endorsed
by the planning board that would allow dispensaries to open only in
parts of the town's three industrial parks located on Finnell Drive,
Mathewson Drive and Moore Road. They would also have to be at least
500 feet away from schools, licensed day cares, libraries, parks,
playgrounds and anywhere children regularly gather.

The other measure, submitted by Kay, would require dispensary
operators to obtain a license from the town's board of licensing
commissioners. The number of dispensaries in town would be limited to
three and they could only operate between the hours of 7 a.m. and 7
p.m.

The proposed rules would also require dispensary operators to submit
detailed plans for security, storage and transportation of marijuana,
testing for contaminants and record keeping. They would also be banned
from selling alcohol, tobacco products or Lottery tickets.
Dispensaries would be required to put up security cameras to record
all sales and would be required to turn them over to police or the
town if they request them. If caught violating the licensing rules, a
dispensary could face a $300 fine and have its license suspended. 
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MAP posted-by: Jo-D