Pubdate: Fri, 21 Jun 2013
Source: Ayer Public Spirit (MA)
Copyright: 2013 MediaNews Group
Contact: http://www.nashobapublishing.com/feedback
Website: http://www.nashobapublishing.com/ayer_news
Details: http://www.mapinc.org/media/5440

MEDICAL MARIJUANA

Ayer voters next week will consider a moratorium on applications for 
medical marijuana dispensaries.

The vote comes in the wake of a Shirley business owner who is 
proposing to open just such a business on Central Ave. in Ayer. He 
owns the building and has spent considerable time educating himself 
on medical marijuana dispensaries. While he would be involved in the 
business ends of things, he will employ medical professionals who 
will handle that end of the business.

Actually getting the marijuana would be tightly regulated. The 
business would not simply sell packets of marijuana from shelves. 
Patients must get a doctor's recommendation and then the type of 
marijuana that would best address the patient's need would be grown.

Security measures will control access to the building for patients only.

Since health insurance does not cover the cost of medical marijuana, 
purchase of the medicinal herb will not come cheap. That shows, we 
think, how badly some people need this medicine after all other 
treatments fail.

The state law allows for up to 35 dispensaries in the state, and it 
allows moratoriums, but does not permit a community to prohibit such 
a business.

Bringing the issue before the voters is the logical step. The 
Planning Board recommended a 90-day moratorium and the selectmen 
expressed preference for a year.

With big-box-type companies building medical marijuana dispensaries 
in other states, we think a locally owned business would be more 
attuned to the community, preferable to a faceless corporation.

We hope voters will think carefully about the subject and not base 
opinions on outdated and inaccurate fears about marijuana. Central 
Ave. is a good spot for such a business and there are people 
suffering with debilitating illnesses who need the help.
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MAP posted-by: Jay Bergstrom