Pubdate: Sun, 05 Jun 2016
Source: Boston Globe (MA)
Copyright: 2016 Globe Newspaper Company
Contact: http://services.bostonglobe.com/news/opeds/letter.aspx?id=6340
Website: http://bostonglobe.com/
Details: http://www.mapinc.org/media/52
Author: David Rattigan

MARIJUANA FACILITY MAY COME TO GLOUCESTER

Gloucester has taken a step toward joining the list of Massachusetts 
communities to host a medical marijuana facility.

Mayor Sefatia Romeo Theken's office agreed not to oppose plans by 
Happy Valley Ventures of Newton to open a medical marijuana 
dispensary and cultivation facility at the Blackburn Industrial Park. 
Department of Public Health regulations require a letter of support 
or nonopposition as part of the state application process.

"Our community is in a unique position to offer meaningful medical 
solutions to those in critical need, while potentially helping to 
expand new economic avenues," Theken said. "Any agreement with the 
city of Gloucester must ensure legal, safe, and secure use of medical 
marijuana for approved patients, but any opportunity to help provide 
relief to our elderly, our veterans, our sick and dying, will always be heard."

Under a host benefit agreement, the city would receive $20,000 plus 2 
percent of gross sales in the first year; $20,000 plus 3 percent of 
gross sales in the second year; and $100,000 or 5 percent of gross 
annual sales - whichever is greater - in the third and subsequent years.

"We proceeded very cautiously, number one because of this being new, 
and it being an issue needing to be investigated and researched," 
said Jim Destino, the mayor's chief administrative officer.

Gloucester Police Chief Leonard Campanello has championed a program 
where opiod addicts turn themselves in and are offered recovery 
assistance rather than arrest. "I agree with the mayor's position and 
stand by her decision and sentiment," he said. "I briefed the 
administration on any concerns and risks while they were in the 
decision-making process."

The marijuana facility, to be built at 38 Great Republic Drive, would 
provide construction and staffing jobs, said attorney Joel Favazza, 
who represented Happy Valley Ventures, and benefit patients in 
Gloucester and surrounding communities.

"Currently, for medical marijuana cardholders the nearest dispensary 
is in Salem, so they need to travel," Favazza said. "Depending on a 
person's medical condition, that may not be the easiest thing to do."

Happy Valley Ventures needs additional approvals at both the state 
and local levels, including a special permit from the Gloucester City 
Council. Previously, the city had amended its zoning to allow medical 
marijuana dispensaries to operate in different areas within the 
Blackburn Industrial Park.

Favazza said the company also is in the permitting process in Amherst 
and Boston. Because of backlash from the community, Happy Valley 
recently withdrew its application with the state for a facility in Ludlow.
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MAP posted-by: Jay Bergstrom