Pubdate: Wed, 22 May 2013
Source: Enterprise, The (MA)
Copyright: 2013 GateHouse Media Inc.
Contact:  http://www.enterprisenews.com/
Details: http://www.mapinc.org/media/3231
Author: Mike Melanson

STOUGHTON OFFICIALS TROUBLED BY MEDICAL MARIJUANA LAW

Pair of Zoning Articles Would Limit Where Dispensaries Could Operate

STOUGHTON - The legalization of medical marijuana in Massachusetts, 
and the prospect of a dispensary opening in Stoughton, has town 
officials concerned that it will send the wrong message and encourage 
more illicit use of the drug by children.

Organizing Against Substances in Stoughton, or OASIS, is backing two 
zoning articles  one to limit medical marijuana treatment centers and 
cultivation to part of the industrial zone, the other to adopt a 
temporary moratorium on treatment centers  for action by annual town 
meeting, which are scheduled to be acted upon tonight.

On Tuesday, OASIS officials told selectmen that marijuana today is 
much more potent than it was 20 years ago, and that use by Stoughton 
youth is on the rise.

Stephanie Patton, OASIS prevention coordinator, said children are 
confused about medical marijuana.

Patton said Stoughton youth, when surveyed, indicated they believe 
medical marijuana use will make all use of the drug more normal and 
more people will use it. Children also believe it would help make all 
marijuana use legal in four years, she said.

"As kids believe marijuana use is less harmful, youth use goes up," 
she said. "Students who use marijuana are feeling more freedom about 
being open about their use."

Patton said marijuana use by Stoughton youth jumped from 19 percent 
in 2008, when possession of marijuana was decriminalized in 
Massachusetts, to 28 percent in 2011.

According to a survey of Stoughton High School students conducted by 
OASIS in February, 37 percent indicated they had used marijuana at 
least once and 27 percent said they currently use the drug, Patton said.

"The more marijuana there is, the more access there is, which is what 
I'm really concerned about," said Karen Hall, director of the 
Stoughton Youth Commission.

Selectman Stephen Anastos said he believes the nation, state and town 
are doing a good job educating children to the dangers of alcohol and 
cigarette use, but a terrible job as to marijuana use.

"That's scary. That tells me you have a huge, huge problem to deal 
with," Anastos said. "I hope you're successful because I think this 
is a serious issue."
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MAP posted-by: Jay Bergstrom