New State Medical Marijuana Rules Put in Place

New regulations will go into effect May 24.

New rules for the medical use of marijuana have been written into the commonwealth's regulatory code by the Massachusetts Public Health Council Wednesday, according to State House News Service report published on LowellSun.com.   Among the new regulations are how much marijuana can be generally used by patients, the licensing procedure for medical marijuana dispensaries and how low-income patients can get access, according to the report. These regulations will go into effect May 24, according to the Sun. In November, Massachusetts voters approved a ballot measure that would allow doctors to prescribe marijuana as part of a treatment. Under the law, the state was operating under a 120-day window starting Jan. 1 for creating regulations for …

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Town Meeting Puts Hold on Medical Marijuana Dispensaries

Members also decided to wait on zoning the dispensaries.

There won’t be any medical marijuana dispensaries in Arlington for at least another year. Town Meeting members voted Monday to put a moratorium on the dispensaries, delaying them from coming until after the town’s 2014 Town Meeting next April. The measure, Article 8, passed convincingly by a voice vote. The delay is meant to give the town more time to understand all of the nuances of the dispensary application process, Town Manager Adam Chapdelaine said recently. For a simple guide on the issue: 8 Things to Know About Medical Marijuana Dispensaries in Arlington The other medical marijuana dispensary article on the 2013 Warrant, Article 7, received 114 “Yes” votes to 72 “No” votes – however, it failed to get the necessary two-thirds …

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8 Things to Know About Medical Marijuana Dispensaries in Arlington

Town Meeting will consider two articles on medical marijuana dispensaries later this month. Here is a simple guide to understanding the issue.

We know the medical marijuana dispensary issue can be complex, so we tried to break it down as much as possible, specifically as it relates to Arlington. Here are eight things to know about the issue in town: 1.) How we got here: Last November, Massachusetts residents voted, 63-37 percent, to legalize medical marijuana, becoming the 18th state to do so. In Arlington, the ballot question was supported by 68 percent of the voters. The new law took effect Jan. 1, and the state Department of Health then drafted medical marijuana regulations, which were released last week. The regulations are expected to be finalized in May and then medical marijuana dispensary applications can start coming in 90 days after that, so in August or September. 2.) …

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r

11:39 am on Friday, April 5, 2013

where?   more ›

5 Things You Need To Know Today

Medical Marijuana Dispensary Articles on Selectmen’s Agenda

Also, spring street sweeping begins today, and Anthony's East Side Deli opens.

Today is April Fools’ Day, Monday, April 1. Don’t get fooled, and here are five things you need to know. 1.) The Board of Selectmen will discuss the Town Meeting articles regarding medical marijuana dispensaries tonight, according to the agenda. Also on the agenda, an update on overnight parking permit fees and the town manager’s salary adjustment. The meeting starts at 7:15 p.m. in the Selectmen’s Chambers on the second floor of Town Hall. 2.) From the town: Town-wide Spring Street Sweeping Begins Today: The Public Works Department will begin the town-wide spring street sweeping schedule today, with route 27 (where the fall sweep left off due to snow). Routes are generally swept sequentially, the last route being 35. After route 35, the …

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5 Things You Need To Know Today

Medical-Marijuana Dispensaries, Accessory Apartments on Redevelopment Board’s Agenda

The board is holding a public hearing at 7 p.m. tonight in Town Hall.

Today is Monday, March 11. Here are five things you need to know: 1.) From the town: Arlington Redevelopment Board Hearing on Proposed Zoning Bylaw Amendments Tonight: The Arlington Redevelopment Board (ARB) will hold a public hearing, as required by state law, on the proposed amendments to Arlington’s Zoning Bylaws, Monday, March 11, at 7 p.m. in the second-floor conference room of the Town Hall Annex. The proposed zoning amendments relate to Accessory Apartments and medical marijuana dispensaries and will be presented at Town Meeting this spring. Article 6 (inserted at the request of 10 registered voters) looks to allow Accessory Apartments associated with single-family residences owned by seniors. Article 7 and 8 (inserted by the Town …

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TELL US: How Would You Feel About Having a Marijuana Dispensary in Town?

The medical marijuana ballot initiative passed on Tuesday, which means up to 35 medical marijuana dispensaries can open in 2013. Would you be OK with having one in town?

  Medical marijuana is coming to Massachusetts. The question is: where? The medical marijana ballot initiative that passed in Tuesdays election with 63 percent voter approval means that up to 35 medical marijuana dispensaries can open up in the state in 2013. The new law goes into effect January 1, but requires rules and regulations be set up by the Department of Public Health. Some towns and cities, such as Quincy, reportedly are already trying to line up regulations that would keep dispensaries out of their municipalities, which have proved troublesome in some of the nine states where medical marijuana dispensaries have been legal. What do you think? Is this a classic case of NIMBY (fine, but Not In My Back Yard)? Or do medical marijuana…

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Chris

12:49 pm on Sunday, November 25, 2012

Lets put one next to your house   more ›

Governor Says He Will 'Probably' Vote Against Marijuana Ballot Question

The governor, during a live chat with Patch, expressed skepticism about the legalization of medical marijuana, though he sympathized with patients in pain.

Governor Deval Patrick said he would likely vote no on Question Three this fall. During a Thursday live chat with Patch, a reader asked Patrick how he would vote on the ballot question and whether the governor was for or against the legalization of cannabis.  "I am not too energized on this issue, personally. California's experience has been mixed. I will probably vote against it. I respect the opposing view, though, especially those whose concern is for people in constant pain," wrote the governor in response.  Proponents say medical marijuana will help ease the pain and suffering of cancer patients and other eligible residents. Opponents, meanwhile, say the law is a back door to full legalization, and that medical marijuana can be …

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Rep. Kaufman's 'Open House' on Medical Marijuana, Death with Dignity Tonight

State Rep. Jay Kaufman will look at two of the three November ballot questions with pro and con panelists from 7-8:30 p.m. tonight at the historic Depot in Lexington Center.

Medical Marijuana in Massachusetts: Yea or Nay?

Voters will be asked to decide in November. Tell us where you stand on the issue today.

Should Massachusetts allow marijuana to be used and grown for medicinal purposes? That's one question voters in the Commonwealth will decide on when they cast ballots in November. The ballot initiative calls for Massachusetts to allow doctors to prescribe marijuana to patients with chronic medical problems. It also calls for treatment centers to be created to cultivate and distribute the drug. It isn't the first time Massachusetts voters have been asked to weigh in on marijuana law changes. In 2008, voters approved an initiative that reduced possession of small amount of marjuana from a criminal offense to a fine. Attorney General Martha Coakley, the state's top law enforcement official, said in April that, if passed, the initiative is "…

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Three, Possibly Four, Initiatives Likely to Make Fall Ballot

Ballot to be finalized by Attorney General's office on July 3.

Of the 31 initiatives put forth for the fall ballot, only four both have enough signatures and have been certified by Attorney General Martha Coakley in order to make it on the ballot by the July 3 deadline. And of those, one looks likely to be resolved by the Legislature before that date. The initiative that appears likely to reach resolution is called "An Act Promoting Excellence in Public Schools." Backed by Stand for Children Massachusetts, it involves retaining and promoting teachers based on performance reviews and test scores rather than seniority. Proponents say it will raise teaching standards and make it easier for schools to fire ineffective teachers. But opponents, which include the Massachusetts Teachers Association, say that …

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