City Council defeats opt-out option for retail marijuana, approves question reducing number of stores
After an impassioned discussion and several good arguments, the City Council voted 13-8 against putting a question on the ballot to ban recreational marijuana stores. Councilors voting against the ban were: Leary, Greenberg, Albright, Norton, Brousal-Glaser,...Teens smoke less weed after legalization in Colorado and Washington
Contrary to the fears of the anti-marijuana crowd, teen use of pot does not increase with legalization. In fact, according to this memo drafted by City Councilor Susan Albright, the use of cannabis in high schools students decreased since legalization in both Colorado...Globe: ‘It’s not supposed to be easy to ban marijuana sales permanently’
A Boston Globe editorial has some harsh words for the “overwhelmingly white and wealthy” suburban communities where voters supported legalizing recreational marijuana but are now trying to ban the stores.
…it’s not supposed to be easy to ban marijuana sales permanently, especially in towns whose residents voted for legalization in the 2016 referendum.
Later the editorial is talking about Concord, but it seems to apply to Newton as well…
…One is forced to wonder: Which children did the overwhelmingly white and wealthy towns have in mind, and would they have voted differently in 2016 if all state residents were exposed to its consequences equally?
Massachusetts is headed toward a two-tier system, strongly correlated to race and privilege, and the law allows it. It’s not a pretty picture — and if towns try to make it even worse through moratoriums, officials should just say no.
Can we at least agree that this is not a ‘residential neighborhood’?
As WCVB reported this week (and in a TAB oped that does not seem to be online) a proposal for a medical marijuana dispensary right behind the Negoshian’s at the corner of Route 9 and Elliot Street, is attracting a lot of heat from neighbors.
Now folks can support or oppose medical marijuana clinics. We can be supportive or opposed to recreational marijuana stores (and the proprietor of this clinic hopes to one day also be approved as a retail store). We can debate whether or not the presence of a clinic or retail shop will harm teens. We can disagree over many retails stores is too many or not enough.
But can we at least agree that — contrary to the claims made in the TAB op-ed and heard in public hearings — this corner of Route 9 and Elliot is not a “residential neighborhood”? Yes there are
Residents: Not in our backyards down the street
Residents along Elliot Street are expressing their opposition to a proposed medical marijuana clinic that has applied for a permit to open at the former Green Tea restaurant at the corner of Route 9 and Elliot. The applicant has stated that it hopes to eventually...Citizens force public hearing on prohibiting recreational weed
The following group petition requiring the City Council to hold a public hearing was filed with the City Council today: “Each of the undersigned requests that the City Council of the City of Newton hold a public hearing for the City Council to place a measure on the...Garden Remedies moves closer to selling recreational marijuana
Mayor Fuller sent the following to the city council…. Dear Honorable City Councilors, As you will recall, the City Council recently voted to exclude Garden Remedies Inc. from the current moratorium on adult-use marijuana establishments. Garden Remedies is moving...Someone wants to ban recreational pot here (but they don’t say who they are)
An alert reader recently received this invitation from a group that’s apparently organizing a ballot initiative to opt our of allowing recreational marijuana in Newton. There’s no contact info, no names, etc., which strikes me as kind of an odd way to...
Right to clean air clashes with right to use marijuana
An article in today’s Boston Globe vividly describes an issue that I’ve not had to deal with personally, since I live in a single-family house, and for decades now, workplaces, airplanes and public buildings are thankfully smoke-free. Apparently —...City Council votes to delay recreational marijuana sales, with one exception
The Newton City Council has approved a moratorium on the retail sale of marijuana until the end of this year. The council did exempt Garden Remedies, which currently operates as a medical marijuana clinic on Washington Street, from the moratorium.Recreational marijuana in Newton explained (really)
City Councilor Andreae Downs does an excellent job explaining the pros and cons of issues surrounding bringing recreational marijuana to Newton on her website. Recommended reading.
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