Malden's New Medical Marijuana Regulations: What Do You Think?

The Malden City Council approved new regulations for medical marijuana dispensaries Tuesday night, zoning any future facilities within the city's industrial areas and barring their operation within 300 feet of residential dwellings, schools, public parks and playgrounds.

The new regulations will also require dispensaries to apply and pay for an annual license with the city. 

“This paper is very carefully crafted by our (city) solicitor (Kathryn Fallon), our health director Chris Webb, and (city planner) Michelle Romero,” Councillor Jim Nestor said.

“It should be clear to everybody we do not want these centers in Malden....We felt if we just (banned) them outright, we'd lose a legal challenge to that. This allows us to have complete control.”

The city's industrial 1 and 2 zoning districts stretch for most of Eastern Ave/Route 60, and along parts of the Malden River.

Massachusetts became the 18th state to legalize medicinal marijuana this year after voters overwhelmingly approved the measure last November. 

The ordinance:

"Medical Marijuana Treatment Center: An entity, however, organized, as defined by Massachusetts law only, registered under this law licensed by the state Department of Public Health or other applicable state entity, that routinely acquires, cultivates, possesses, processes (including development of related products such as food, tinctures, aerosols, oils or ointments), transfers, transports, sells, distributes, dispenses, or administers marijuana products containing marijuana, related supplies or educational material to qualifying patients or their personal caregivers.

No Medical Marijuana Treatment Center shall be located with 300 feet of the property line of a property used for a residential dwelling, public or non-public school or public park or playground.

A special permit issued to a Medical Marijuana Treatment Facility is non-transferable and nonassignable.

A Medical Marijuana Treatment Center shall not be allowed as an accessory use to any other use."

Your turn:

What do you think of the city's approach? Should the city keep dispensaries out, or do they provide residents with an important service? 

Share your views with your neighbors in our comments section below.