Needham Town Meeting Passes Marijuana Moratorium

While medical marijuana is on its way to towns in Mass., Needham won't see any until next year. 

Needham Annual Town Meeting voted Monday night to approve article 18, which imposes a moratorium on medical marijuana dispensaries,  Needham Yourtown confirms. The moratorium was proposed in an early January meeting, and would allow officials to put off zoning regulations for up to a year.

The Selectmen called it a move that made sense at a late January meeting. The delay will put decisions off until March 1, 2014. 

Several Needham Health officials spoke out against the medical marijuana initiative, and Gov. Patrick said he would likely vote against the ballot question. Despite that, medical marijuana dispensaries were approved in the November vote. In October, Needham and Newton were considered for Locations of Medical Marijuana 'Consultation Centers', but were ultimately passed over.

Boston.com also notes that the Mass. Public Health Committee will hear bills on medical marijuana before the end of May.