Pubdate: Wed, 05 Jun 2013 Source: Republican, The (Springfield, MA) Copyright: 2013 The Republican Contact: http://www.masslive.com/contactus/ Website: http://www.masslive.com/republican/ Details: http://www.mapinc.org/media/3075 Author: Manon Mirabelli WESTFIELD MEDICAL MARIJUANA FACILITY IDEA ATTRACTS LITTLE ATTENTION IN CITY HEARINGS WESTFIELD -- Voters across the commonwealth approved the use of medical marijuana during the November elections, but it is an issue that has remained relatively low-key in Westfield as officials put a moratorium on dispensaries pending further state regulations. Public hearings held by the City Council and Planning Board in May drew no comment from meeting spectators, and Ward 4 City Councilor and Legislative and Ordinance Committee member Mary L. O'Connell said residents have not expressed any opinions on the matter. "No one seems to care about this issue," she said. "I have not received one phone call." In addition, meeting minutes from the May 2 City Council and May 7 Planning Board meetings show no public comments regarding the possibility of a medical marijuana dispensary in Westfield. On May 13 the council's Legislative and Ordinance Committee voted unanimously to put a one-year moratorium on plans for a dispensary, and the full council upheld that vote with a unanimous decision at its May 16 meeting. "We put a moratorium on it for one year or until we get an ordinance in order," O'Connell said. The Planning Board's siting of a dispensary with an ordinance adopted by the City Council may be a moot point, however, if Westfield is not one of the five cities in Hampden County approved by the state as a location for the purchase of medical marijuana. "Only a certain number of communities in the state will be allowed to make a dispensary available," O'Connell explained. "There will only be five cities per county selected." O'Connell also predicted that Springfield, Holyoke and possibly Chicopee may be three of the five communities that will be allowed to house a medical marijuana dispensary, and those who do wish to operate one will be subject to very strict state regulations and will have to post a $50,000 bond. The state Department of Public Health reported that it will engage in a competitive application process for medical marijuana treatment centers in the summer and fall of 2013. A regulation approved by the DPH that went into effect May 24 states that the law allows qualifying patients to cultivate a supply of marijuana for personal medicinal use in the absence of a formalized medical marijuana program. "DPH has carefully considered hundreds of opinions and concerns from across the Commonwealth to create a medical marijuana system that is right for Massachusetts," said DPH Interim Commissioner Dr. Lauren Smith. "The final regulations reflect a balanced approach that will provide appropriate access to patients, while maintaining a secure system that keeps our communities safe." - --- MAP posted-by: Jay Bergstrom