CLINTON — The town of Clinton may look to impose regulations on the use of recreational marijuana and enact a moratorium on pot-related businesses.
The Board of Selectmen most recently discussed this issue at its Dec. 13 meeting, where board members were presented with a proposed moratorium from the Planning Board on both recreational and medicinal marijuana operations. However, the selectmen did not approve the proposal, because at this time they do not want to regulate medical marijuana.
Clinton Town Manager Pamela Violette said the selectmen advised the Planning Board to come back with another proposal without language on medical marijuana, which the state legalized in 1999. She said the board may take it up again at its Jan. 18 meeting. The selectmen will also hold a public hearing on the matter in January.
The provision for regulating medical marijuana would have declared a moratorium “on the location, operation or licensing of any medical marijuana cultivation facilities or dispensaries,” according to the proposed ordinance. There are currently no medical marijuana dispensaries in Clinton.
The Planning Board’s proposal called for a 60-day moratorium, unless extended or repealed, that would have been effective immediately following selectmen’s approval.
The Planning Board had wanted to include medical marijuana businesses with recreational ones because of the burden of regulation it would place on town officials.
Meanwhile, the town of Madison is also looking at a moratorium – for 180 days – that would be effective as of Jan. 1 following approval by the Board of Selectmen. That proposal, which was scheduled for a public hearing Monday night, calls for regulating the number of retail marijuana stores and the location and operation of social clubs and retail stores, but it would not limit the rights of medical marijuana providers.
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