Pubdate: Sat, 24 Nov 2012 Source: Patriot Ledger, The (Quincy, MA) Copyright: 2012 GateHouse Media, Inc. Contact: http://www.patriotledger.com/ Details: http://www.mapinc.org/media/1619 Author: Neal Simpson SOUTH SHORE COMUNITIES LOOK TO REGULATE POT SHOPS BRAINTREE =AD Cities and towns south of Boston are looking for ways to relegate soon-to-be-legal medical marijuana clinics to the same neighborhoods set aside for porn shops, strip clubs and adult video stores. Officials in Quincy, Braintree and Hanover are considering restrictions that would limit medical marijuana treatment centers to adult entertainment zoning districts, typically located far from schools, homes and day care centers. Under the law, which voters approved Nov. 6, the state must register up to 35 marijuana centers by the end of 2013, including at least one in each county. The law goes into effect Jan 1, but the state Department of Public Health has 120 days to issue regulations. Some Massachusetts towns, including Reading and Wakefield, have already moved to ban the new marijuana facilities, which would be allowed to grow, process and sell marijuana to eligible patients. On the South Shore, where the marijuana bill passed easily in every city and town, many officials say they just want to limit where the facilities can open, not ban them outright. There's an appropriate place within the town for any potential marijuana distribution center,=94 said Sean Powers, a Braintree town councilor who is developing restrictions for the centers. =93Everyone, whether you voted for or against the measure, wouldn't want marijuana growing near our schools or the council on aging center or town hall.=94 Powers said town hall officials are considering a new zoning district that would limit the dispensaries to certain sections of town. But he said the town's lawyer is still trying to determine how much leeway the town has to set limits. Other municipal leaders are having similar conversations. In Quincy, City Councilor Brian Palmucci has drafted an ordinance, modeled after the city's adult entertainment district, that would ban marijuana dispensaries within 1,500 feet of a residential district, school, child care facility or business that serves alcohol. Officials in Hanover are considering zoning that would limit the dispensaries to the town's adult entertainment district, which includes two commercial areas along Route 53 on either side of Route 3, but Town Manager Troy Clarkson said he still needs to consult with business owners in the area. We're not going to do anything without having a real inclusive discussion with those folks,=94 he said. Supporters of the marijuana law caution that restricting the location of marijuana dispensaries, or banning them outright, could have unintended consequences for towns. Under the law, patients who do not live near a marijuana center could seek approval to grow and process the drug in their home. Massachusetts Cannabis Reform Coalition, said communities that pass overly onerous restrictions on marijuana centers could also run afoul of new the state law. In that case, there were would be a conflict between those town ordinances and the state law,=94 he said. Not all town officials are preparing to model restrictions for medical marijuana after those in place for adult entertainment. Ted Alexiades, the town administrator in Hingham, said the town needs to look at the specific issues presented by a marijuana treatment center rather than lumping them in with porn stores and strip clubs. We can't just simply say, `Well, what was good for adult zoning has to be good for this,'=94 he said. =93How do we know? =94 - --- MAP posted-by: Jay Bergstrom