Pubdate: Fri, 25 Jan 2013
Source: Salem News (MA)
Copyright: 2013 Eagle Tribune Publishing Company
Contact: http://www.salemnews.com/contactus/local_story_015132129.html
Website: http://www.salemnews.com/
Details: http://www.mapinc.org/media/3466
Author: Alan Burke

MARIJUANA DISPENSARIES BANNED IN PEABODY

PEABODY - There will be no medicinal pot shop in Peabody, providing
that last night's unanimous and final vote by the City Council
withstands any judicial scrutiny.

"I do understand the needs of those suffering from cancer," Mayor Ted
Bettencourt said, citing a major selling point of the law passed by
voters statewide last November - that it's intended to provide
marijuana to those who say that smoking the drug is essential to
easing their pain.

But Bettencourt added that there are plenty of reasons to doubt the
positive impact of the measure.

"There are so many questions regarding how it's going to be
implemented and how it's going to be enforced," he told the council
just before the vote was taken. "I've worked very hard over the years
to try to teach our young people about the dangers of drugs."

Marijuana shops in Peabody would undercut that message, he
said.

Bettencourt also lamented the sorts of people who have approached the
city seeking to open a pot shop, noting that they aren't doctors or
medical professionals.

Peabody, at the convergence of several major highways, is a prime
target for those hoping to sell marijuana, according to the mayor.

But he pointed to the fact that seven towns - with Melrose the latest
- - have beaten Peabody to the punch as far as banning marijuana shops.

"I believe we're the first city," Bettencourt said. "I think it would
be the right thing to do."

The issue had been debated previously, and councilors spent little
time in discussion.

"I guess a lot of people didn't read the fine print," said Arthur
Athas, citing confusion about the November referendum question and
asserting that many were surprised following the vote to discover that
marijuana would not be distributed by doctors or in pharmacies.

He expressed doubts that it would pass if offered again.

The Peabody ban, originally sponsored by the mayor, passed 9-0, with
two councilors absent, including Bob Driscoll, the only member of the
board who expressed opposition to the bylaw. Driscoll has said he
believes that the city is acting too hastily, that the Legislature
should be given time to deal with the sorts of objections the mayor
has raised.

Concerns about the new ban also include worries that the city will be
sued. For that matter, Athas argued that some towns are considered
within their rights to ban alcohol.

"I know we've received some criticism from some areas," Councilor Jim
Liacos said. But he recalled his opposition some years ago to the
opening of a Hooters restaurant in Peabody.

"Enough is enough," he said out of frustration that Peabody already
hosts two striptease bars.

Liacos conceded that if the city had been sued by Hooters, the chain
probably would have won the right to locate here. Nevertheless, it
decided the easier course was to put the eatery somewhere else.

City officials hope the marijuana ban works the same way.
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MAP posted-by: Jo-D