Marijuana in Marlborough? Not Until 2014, Officials Say

The City Council took the first step towards changes that would keep marijuana dispensaries out of Marlborough through June 30, 2014.

“I don’t see why we need to be guinea pigs," said Councilor Robert Seymore who spoke to the proposed zoning changes. "I don’t see what the need is to have a dispensary here so quickly in Marlborough."

The moratorium on dispensaries mirrors one recently approved in Burlington and was written up to give the state time to come up with regulations and the city time to establish local guidelines, he said. Guidelines had been proposed for Marlborough, but this moratorium would give additional time for discussion, said Seymore.

“We don’t have any protections in place," he said. “I think it makes more sense for us to move to a moratorium which buys us more time."

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The Attorney General's office recently released a statement that cities and towns could not ban marijuana dispensaries. However, a temporary moratorium proposed by Burlington was supported by the office.

Councilor Mark Oram is humanitarian issue, that was supported by 63 percent of the state.

“I don’t see us needing a whole year to do this review," said Oram. “It is a humanitarian act ... I think going to June 2013 is too much of an extension.”

Seymore stated that it would be better to have more time than less on this issue. There is no reason to rush to be the first to have a dispensary, he said.

“This is a whole new ball game," said Seymore. "They are trying to create reg around an entirely new medical field in 120 days.”

Just because a dispensary is not in Marlborough does not mean people will not have access to medical marijuana, he said. The council may always vote to change the length of the moratorium.

The council voted to advertise the proposed change to the city's zoning and refer it to Planning Board. Oram voted against the motion to advertise the language.