Peabody May Vote on Recreational Marijuana

PEABODY, MA – While the reality of recreational marijuana dispensaries is looking like a distant possibility after the state voted to delay their openings, the City of Peabody is planning ahead. Mayor Ted Bettencourt wrote a letter to City Council on Feb. 1, asking for a citywide vote to ban recreational marijuana operations in Peabody.

Peabody voted against Question 4, regarding recreational marijuana dispensaries, in November. According to Bettencourt's request, the state referendum allows cities and towns to vote on the topic in a public referendum.

"There are a great many unanswered questions regarding implementation of the new law and its effect on public safety," wrote Bettencourt. "As city leaders, we must confront this issue in a manner which respects the apprehensions of so many of our fellow citizens."

The Legal Affairs Committee is expected to discuss the issue on Thursday, Feb. 16, at 6:30 p.m. at City Hall.

Peabody residents would still be able to get recreational marijuana from dispensaries outside of Peabody and smoke pot privately if marijuana operations are banned, but Peabody Police Chief Tom Griffin said the ban would send a clear message that the city isn't on board with recreational marijuana.

"I think there’s a very mixed message out there," said Griffin. He said people don't always understand that smoking marijuana may disqualify a person from certain jobs if there's an aspect that deals with the federal government, and some city positions require marijuana abstinence. Marijuana is illegal at the federal level.

In addition to the message a ban would send, Griffin said he has public safety concerns as well, specifically regarding driving while high.

"I’m concerned about people smoking and driving," said Griffin. The Peabody Police Department has one drug recognition expert who's trained to look for the signs of drugged driving. Sgt. James Harkins is often sent to other communities for bad accidents. Harkins' training was extensive, said Griffin, and he's the only officer in the entire department who's trained in drug recognition.

There's currently no test like a breathalyzer to determine whether a driver is under the influence of marijuana. In traffic fatalities, a positive test for marijuana doesn't always mean the driver was high, since the drug can stay in a person's system for days.

Griffin said medical marijuana is a different story: If a person has medical documentation, and a doctor has recommended marijuana for a legitimate medical need, he doesn't feel right saying they shouldn't have it.

"We’re going to do what the public feels is best, but I do have some concerns about it," said Griffin.

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