I hope a Marijuana dispensary comes to Westford, Already 2 Market Baskets and lots of pot smoke over at the high school it would fit in fine,

I want one, literally, in my back yard.

I don't think Chelmsford is a good place one for one. With the constant power outages, the hydroponics would be all messed up. Plus, we're a Tom Brady football throw away from Lowell, so there's no need to have two of anything.

I'd like to see one in Reading.

Arlington should get one, maybe two.

The Board of Selectmen could put one near a public school so that the young Democrats could get experience with dope before going to college. When the dopes flunk out of college after running up a huge debt through student loans, which will be forgiven by Senator Liawatha, they can play beer pong with former elected officials on Friday nights at her house and urinate on the nearby elementary schools completing the circle.

The other bong bar should go near Town Hall, so the potheads who run Arlington would not need to travel far for their fix before banning things that might be harmful to residents, like soda.

The first prototype Marijuana Dispensary should be in Gov Duval's town. It would be best for our Gov to get the kinks out first hand.

Tewksbury would be a great spot they can put it next to Save on Smokes lol

Down at the Malden T Station they can blend in with the rest

It would not be a problem as far as I am concerned - if we voted to have them, it makes no sense to then refuse to have them here.

we already have more than our share in our backyards, I don't care how much money it brings to the city, say no and find somewhere else,

It's not like these kids will be robbing the people coming out of the dispensary....

Put them all in Cambridge right next to the mansions.

Oh, there's not one already? Why not, there's every other drug being dispensed in Malden. We don't have control of the illegal, what makes you think there will be control on the legal?

Any place where homeowners do not care about their property value.

If the area is zoned appropriately for a restaurant or retail space, I could not care less. Anyone with half a brain knows that marijuana is a less powerful drug than alcohol. People are not violent or destructive when they are high, in contrast to drunk people.

I voted NO for it and can't believe that people would actually want one in their neighborhoods! Don't you see all the downsides - our children will now be exposed, how many more people will now be addicted and with that comes crimes. For those that truly need it the doctors were already getting them what they needed.

I have

Winchester needs one. Already have a standout hospital, this just furthers the medical benefits to this town. Plus, pull more visitors to our downtown which can use a few extra shoppers. Gotta figure the quick-serve restaurants will do great!

For better or worse every town is going to get one or many of them, I think we could preempt it by have it be sold a police stations across the state, that way we can ensure safe access for all citizens across the state and provide a means to fund our police forces!.

According to the law, MJ will be "dispensed" only to those who have a doctor-signed prescription for a prescribed daily dose for a diagnosed medical condition. It's not a place where anyone can walk in and buy pot. But will the system be abused by unscrupulous doctors writing bogus scripts for anyone who wants one? I am a medical doctor and while I don't see myself writing any scripts for MJ, I supported the measure as a way to allow for "off-label" experimentation with MJ for certain chronic pain or anorexic conditions. I also hope there will be sensible exploration of the benefits of different varieties of the cannabis plant and over time ideas will emerge about what varieties are better for what conditions. Medically speaking, I believe MJ's mind-altering properties are an unfortunate (and for some people dangerous) side effect and the greatest benefits will be found in some low-THC-content varieties. The success of the program wherever it is based, will depend on adequate supervision and regulation. Having a properly run dispensary next door should be no different from having an outpatient dialysis center next door.

"Addicted to weed"? Yeah, Dead Heads.

I lost both parents to cancer. Many patients lose their appetite, won't eat, and/or are suffering from pain. This is a controlled herb. Every pharmacist ought to toss an application in the ring. It's MEDICINAL, not recreational and regulated, right? Not a bar, not a bong, not a boutique, not for kids. The Commonwealth decided. To those terrified, note that there are still dry towns in Mass, and if 21 sites emerge, chances are good your backyard will not be part of this.

If it's being prescribed only for medical purposes, then why isn't it being dispensed at CVS and Rite Aide?

I think we have enough issues in our communities without thiese businesses being let in. Keep them in pharmacies is my thoughts about this. We have enough riff raff in Malden, Medford and Everett. Put the stores in Cambridge please.

I like Phil's comment. It is interesting that many of the same people who want to ban/control junk food want to legalise marijuana. At least we won't put the drug dealers out of business. They can switch to selling extra large sugary sodas with artificial flavors and colors. It's important in this economy that we keep everyone employed, even those with illegal jobs.

Didn't vote for the initiative for this reason, and, you should see what it's done to California. Everyone there has "anxiety" and a prescription for pot. Dispensaries have been robbed numerous times. Don't get me wrong, I'm ok with folks smoking marijuana....but it should be legalized for everyone, not just medical purposes. Put it in a pack like cigarettes, sell it in liquor stores and have the state/feds tax it for a revenue stream. Sheez....what's so complicated?

On a serious note if you don't see the downsides to having one in your town or neighnorhood, you either don't care or haven't thought about it enough. Methadone clinics are regulated and nobody wants to live next to one. Same deal.

Walter: I'm with you on this one.

Melrose is already getting worse, I don't agree with this. Especially with the recent armed robbery. And having been robbed once in Melrose (at Christmas) was enough for me.

Place them in towns according to which towns had the highest percentage of "yes" votes...that way fewer people will be upset. Here's the 35 top "yes" towns:

Ashburnham 94.32%
Wendell 85.66%
Shutesbury 84.79%
Provincetown 84.75%
Mount Washington 83.81%
Amherst 82.96%
West Tisbury 82.00%
Leverett 81.77%
Aquinnah 81.29%
Northampton 81.22%
Pelham 80.28%
Ashfield 80.00%
Williamsburg 79.78%
Chilmark 79.14%
Cambridge 79.04%
Plainfield 78.82%
Gosnold 78.31%
Somerville 77.77%
Conway 77.72%
Cummington 77.56%
Alford 76.21%
Truro 76.17%
Becket 75.72%
Chesterfield 75.50%
Wellfleet 75.41%
Brookline 75.24%
Nantucket 75.16%
Egremont 75.13%
Shelburne 75.02%
Hawley 74.87%
Tisbury 74.18%
New Marlborough 73.95%
Williamstown 73.07%
Greenfield 73.01%
Sunderland 72.73%

Malden already has built the perfect site: across from the DPW is a two building with drive-thrus location! It is not rented yet and one building could sell the weed and the other could sell the snacks! Out of the residential area and off by itself...what could be better? We wouldn't have to be taxed to death by bags and parking stickers...way better than those food trucks who take up parking spots to get into City Hall or pickup T riders.

You need a different copy of this article for each town.

"Do you want a medical-marijuana dispensary in Malden?" ...lol then you put a picture of a liquor store in the header? How juvenile...Patch has stooped to a new low! Congrats!

LOS ANGELES — One year after federal law enforcement officials began cracking down on California’s medical marijuana industry with a series of high-profile arrests around the state, they finally moved into Los Angeles last month, giving 71 dispensaries until Tuesday to shut down.

We finally have a purpose for Kevin's Farm.

Maybe the old Star on Broadway. All the bales should fit in there.

The question should be... Would you rather have a Meth clinic in your town or one of these ??

In this day & age, medicine has come so far...there are plenty of other pain relief medications.
Now we will have people driving a deadly weapon as they would be high & in an alternated state of consciousness - the words " drive defensively" take on a more serious tone.. perhaps deadly. At minimal, scary.
Those of us with children & healthy, bright minds do not need more temptation & accessibility to a mind- altering substance while they're brains are developing & it would no doubt impair their judgement & decisions. Its too scary.

This medicine is widely available and used at Westford Academy, everyone knows what dumpster to toke up near

Goldstein, how many times a week do you throw your trash in THAT dumpster? :>)

Marijuana is already in our neighborhoods and it hasn't yet caused Somerville to go to Hell in a hand basket, so having a legal, public, safe, place to buy & sell it, seems a lot better to me than in the back of a dark, empty parking lot, like the old Star Market in Winter Hill, let's say...

Arlington already has a couple of places. There already is a methadone clinic . Why not just pass out pot there ?

first off we are the 18th state to legalize medical cannabis. second Quincy is looking into zoning in an industrial area, not keeping out of there municipality. I voted yes on this question for my sister who has suffered from seizures her whole life, 50 years of pharma isn't helping. This god given medicine can help in alot of aliments. If there is a dispensary being planned, please carry a high CBD extract for my sister. Can medicinal cannabis help you check out 686 pages of information http://www.letfreedomgrow.com/cmu/GrannysListJan2012.pdf She updates all the studies every year. There are also educational videos check out "Clearing the Smoke: The Science of Cannabis" or "In Pot we Trust" available with a search. Don't let ignorance cloud your closed mind, this is what we voted for.

Definitely in Winchester, that way I don't have to drive to Boston all the time.

(Tongue firmly inserted in cheek) How about at the old Malden Hospital site? But seriously, pot and just about anything else is readily available at any one of the various "Roach" Motels on Broadway/Rte. 99 already.

I wonder how many chronic pain sufferers could avoid the addiction that often happens with long term use of opioids like oxycocone.

Fewer addicts = less crime.

cape cod needs a dispensary. That would make it convient for people on marthas vineyard and nantucket to get to a dispensary as well as residents of cape cod

As DOJ has said on many occasions, Congress has determined through the Controlled Substances Act (CSA) that marijuana is a Schedule I drug and as such growing, distributing, and possessing marijuana in any capacity save a federal research program is in “violation of federal law regardless of state laws permitting such activities” (U.S. DOJ, U.S. Attorneys Durkan and Ormsby, April 14, 2011). DOJ has further stated that “this core priority [of disrupting drug trafficking organizations] includes prosecution of business enterprises that unlawfully market and sell marijuana”(U.S. DOJ, U.S. Attorneys Durkan and Ormsby, April 14, 2011).

Interesting string of comments. I am a fiscally conservative fellow who believes in small government, but am pretty much a social libertarian. I see very little difference in the various intoxicants. Is Pot (which I do not smoke) really that different from Booze? (which I do infrequently sample)

Someone said this was a good idea if government managed it well. I got news, government doesn't manage anything well. Others have said it is okay, but not in my back yard. Well, pretty much everywhere is in someone's back yard.

There are lots of emotional comments on the medical need for this drug. While it does have some benefit, it also has some near equal costs.

I wonder about all those who rail against people smoking cigarettes, which are banned in restaurants, public parks, most all businesses, and on an on and on... What will happen when these smoke free spaces are confronted with MJ joints? Seems pretty hypocritical to me.

Only the weakest minds (or those under the influence) will think this will only be for medical purposes. It will be abused and used by those without actual medical needs, just as in every other state where this has passed.

One advantage that no one has spoken of yet was the 1000% increase of designer cup cake stores in Cali after pot was legalized by the state. (Yes, it is still a federal crime, but not a state crime)

So, toke it up and buy from the local munchie shop...

Drugs are easy enough to get anywhere. I do not want it even easier and more visible is the point. I tell my kids say no to drugs, I don't want them to see people going in to buy them. Easy as that. I understand medical purposes but keep it medical. Not a store front!!!

The stoners are really weighing in on this issue. Quick reminder - this is supposed to be for MEDICINAL use only, not the teens toking up.

Well the majority wants it so tells me that over 50% are potheads. But I want to see them road tested for sobriety to just like DUI's. Now if your working in construction your life will depend on a pot head. Your Pothead Boss will be making desicions on weather you work or not. Police, Fire,EMT's, and polititions will be making decisions for you while there high on pot. But why not put it here in Malden right in the Square they'll blend right in with the rest of the crack heads.

Hey Mokal, Malden needs more Suboxone clinics not weed stores. Wouldnt you agree?

I think if we open some dispensaries, we should open some more restaurants. The food selection sucks, so everyone coming form the dispensaries are going to bring their money elsewhere.

Imagine if people cared about their country as much as they cared about marijuana. Pot heads are a turn off.

This ridiculous thread reminds me of the never-ending election threads. To read those, you'd think Romney, Brown, etc, would win in a landslide. Same thing here- you'd never know 2/3 of voters voted IN FAVOR of this. Maybe some day you'll be suffering from chronic, unceasing, never-ending pain and you'll show some compassion for those that do. A 2/3 majority - the biggest I remember in any election in a very long time. Stop whining, get over it, and move on.

I vote for vending machines. I am sure the people using them will have a valid prescription.

Hey Dave I remember 2 thirds voting for the death penalty. But those idiots on the left could care less about that just killed it in the legislature.

Actually I would like to see more people get drugged out that way there will be more jobs for the decent people who are straight.

Lots of people here who care way too much about marijuana. I would bet over 75% of you guys have kids who smoke with their friends. I'd bet my salary on it.

I know a great deal of regular, hard-working people who do smoke it, and they are no more addicted to it than they are addicted to drinking. Deal with it folks, this is the new normal.

For various reasons I've never smoked it; but as someone who fits into the "chronic illness that could be debilitating in the future" category, it would be nice to know that this option would be available to me locally someday.

A comment was deleted for being spam and violating Patch's Terms of Use: www.patch.com/terms

A good point, Karl! There is a distinct difference between abusing drugs, and pain management.

Thats true Paul Surette Im a senior citizen what of it. If it is for medical reasons why the bong shops. Why not CVS,Wallgreens and Right Aid. Has no purpose to heal the sick. There are other meds far better. You know dam well it will be abused. But I really dont care. If you want to be a pot head thats your bussiness. Paul Surett you are nobody to tell me how to think.

Obviously Mr, Mokal, you don't give folks enough credit to make responsible choices for themselves, so you label them all. I know four women who have fibromyalgia. The 'traditional' medications they were prescribed to deal with flareups don't work for them. So, occasionally, they use marijuana to ease the symptoms. Pancreatic cancer patients (I knew two of them) resorted to marijuana when the other 'traditional' meds didn't work for their pain. What these folks would like is to be able to take the crime out of their treatment, given it's THEIR body to begin with! Your thinking is typical of the senior citizen contingent. You enjoy liquor, Mr. Mokal? Nobody's trying to take that away, so why is it wrong for people to partake in their own pleasures, or remedies, at THEIR own expense? Your thinking has an aroma of fossil. Update for you, Mr. Mokal....we no longer use leech's to heal people, nor do we put Vaseline on a burn. Question 2 was no different than the Volstead act, which you were probably around for when it was enacted. The only difference between the two? The Volstead Act was forced upon us. Question 2 GAVE us a choice! I for one, enjoy my freedoms of choice-making. Clearly, you have a penchant for complaining. Enjoy that! :)

Woooooo, You said I must be a senior citizen. Whats that make me stupid. Seniors dont know better? i HAVE THE RIGHT TO PRINT MY OWN THOUGHTS AS LONG AS I FOLLOW THE RULES. yOU ARE NO ONE to critisize anyone here. Odviously Mr Surette you do not have a clue what your talking about. Also I do not drink nor take drugs. Ive forgotten more than you will ever know and I was around when you were in your ol mans balls

Mr Surett dont waste your time conversing with me cause Im just going to ignor you. Your just a phoney name on A blog post thats all.

Mr. Moral,

You certainly take a very aggressive approach in dealing with your detractors. I have found in my 64 years that anyone who has ever said they have forgotten more than anyone has ever know is a person who is insecure in who they are and uncertain in their arguments. Furthermore, anyone that brings up references to anatomical parts of a male body, is certainly referencing his own shortcomings when standing in front of a mirror. I would suggest engaging those who have views other than your own in an intelligent dialogue using a thought process that would indicate that you have intelligence. If you cannot do that, maybe it would be best if you followed the advice of one of our greatest presidents, Abraham Lincoln. He said, "it is better to remain silent and thought a fool...then to speak out and remove all doubt". Take a deep breath and relax, the world is not as bad as you make it out to be. Have a nice night sir.

I hate to disappoint you, Mr. Mokal, but this is my real name. I hide behind nothing for no one :) And to Cecil, you did an excellent job of putting it to Mr. Mokal...and Mr. Mokal, a nurse will be along shortly to change your bed pan :)

Lol Dave...agreed

I have to say, to both Surette and Mokal, that both of you are acting very immaturely. I am no spring chicken, and recall watching the moon landing, but was not old enough to recall where I was when Kennedy was shot...

Still, you both have made some reasonable points, and then make yourselves look silly with the juvenile sniping at each other. If you want people to value and consider your opinions, you need to stop diminishing yourselves with the silly bickering.

I am particularly offended by the jokes about being old, as I choose to respect my elders, but there have been more than enough insults thrown both directions.

I appreciate people debating and expressing their positions. The ad homonym attacks do not add to the debate in my opinion.

Tell you what, Karl...I quietly disagreed with Mr. Mogul, and was greeted with something regarding someone's 'balls'. I always say, you get what you give. I have enough speech writers in my life, without getting another speech from YOU. Enjoy your 'debates' on this thread, but save the sermon for church on Sunday :)

Paul Surette 2, David Mokal, the old guy, O :)

Says to Fred in his best Georgian drawl..."why Fred, I do declare....you sure know how to flatter a lady....be a good sport and make me a mint julip, please! <batting my eyelashes at you :)

Mr. Mokal....65 years old, and allegedly imparted with all this wisdom in you, and you come back with "Paul Surett at least I don't go in my pants like you."? My son was saying that in 3rd grade. Good grief, man. I was expecting something profound and witty from you, something along the lines of Mark Twain, or William Buckly, but all I got was Romper Room. Damn it, Nurse Ratchet, how did this guy escape?

Mr. Surette,

Your gender confusion set aside, I simply asked for a cordial discussion. You choose to make pot shots (excuse the alliteration) at me,

Fred said it well, this thread is not a debate or discussion, it is a joke. You have made it so.

As for your literary reference, many cultures measure the value of a combatant, by the value of his enemy. You have defined Mr. Mokal as yours, and have done a good job to tell us all the value of your enemies. Now, you know that it means that is the value of you as well.

Burnsauce!

Mr Surette, I just read instead of weed to kill pain Coconut Oil has been proven to Nourish the brain. You may want to try it. Also may I add It will kill the loud POP when you pull your head out of your Butt !! Sort of like a silencer. If I ever get terminatley ill Im sure Ill cry out for a bong instead of Morfine.

Ok done with this silliness. Ya All Light Up another Fatty now and kill the pain in your brain !

I have continued to read about pot heads extolling the virtues of marijuana. 'It is the answer to everyone in pain, it has no side effects, it is not addicting, and much more'...
Total popicock! It is an intoxicant and depressant like many others.
I happen to be a disabled veteran from 30 years ago. I happen to be a politically conservative, social libertarian, and generally a traditionalist. I also voted to legalize pot, because I do not see it as much different than liquor or tobacco. Some will use it responsibly, some not. The government can establish what it feels is reasonable and responsible use, and those who abuse it will face appropriate consequences. (Just like driving drunk, or abusing cigarettes)

Speaking of that, why is it that smoking tobacco is the worst thing on the planet according to some, but smoking marijuana is okay? Entirely because of politics, and silly inconsistent standards, and not for any other reason. Wait till the law gets a hold of the under the influence driving defense of second hand pot smoke. What a boon for the lawyers that one will be.

I have had the opportunity and have occasionally imbibed alcohol since I was about 16 or 17. (Drinking age back in those days was 18). I am not an alcoholic, and I know many others who drink that are not either. It does not mean that alcohol is not addictive. So is pot by the same standard.

I voted for it. Please do not further embarrass me by saying such silly things about it.

I wanna see one right in the Middle of Malden Square. Be great. It would bring more people here to come use our fine resturaunts. Great Idea

All legitimate points you made, Allison. Watch out, as some here will call you a liar, and say you're just another desperate stoner. I understand the plight people have in trying to manage their pain. A lot of times, as in your example, prescription drugs don't work, as they target the brain differently. and no one has ever committed a violent crime, or want to drive a car.....when folks get high, they dont want to do anything....that is the point of the stuff in the first place. People like Mr. Mokal compare his arthritis to other people' ailments, then offer some solution from something they read on the Saturday Evening Post......40 years ago! Some people are just out of touch.

The perfect spot for a despensary would be next to a Taco Bell, we'd have open one of those also, more tax money.

Quincy is worried about marijuana. That is laughable.

Some are unhappy because they see it as competition. The biggest and worst drug dealers, who cause majority of harm to patients.are the major drug companies who may get a small dent in their oxy sales and whatever other pain meds they push on people who get hooked. Those drugs are the worst, Oxy, is really synthetic heroin. Why are they allowed to get people hooked on herion? How is this legal? And when their patients are hooked on these nasty drugs, they turn them away instead of trying to help them get well. I once worked with a woman who died of an overdose from oxycodone, leaving two small children and a husband. I heard of another local case where a guy with a severe back problem got hooked and then his doctor never returned his calls. They can't just leave people blowing in the wind, because that is what causes people to break down and some will get desperate. More should be done to help people get off dope and stay off dope, but it takes a great deal of work, money and compassion.

When they prescribe these dangerous drugs, they will sometimes list them with a generic name so you won't know it's oxy. I was prescribed this drug during an ER visit requiring an incision. After taking two of these pills, I called to inquire what they were and when I found out, I tossed them in the trash. Beware of oxy, if your doctor prescribes them, ask for something that is non-addicting. You might be saving your own life.

This is classic ill-informed. NIMBYism. There is no evidence that there is any crime associated with medical marijuana dispensaries. The people of the Commonwealth supported this measure by a wide margin.
http://www.masscriminaldefense.com/blog/massachusetts-towns-must-accept-medical-marijuana-dispensaries/