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