The Oak Bluffs planning board voted 3-2 to oppose a citizen petition to allow marijuana businesses downtown. The petition will go before voters at town meeting in April.
The Oak Bluffs planning board voted Thursday to oppose a citizen petition to allow marijuana businesses downtown.
The petition, which was filed last month by Island Time dispensary owner Geoff Rose, requests amendments to two zoning bylaws that would permit cannabis stores on Circuit avenue and Dukes County avenue. It also asks that stores be allowed to operate between 9 a.m. and 9 p.m. daily and in residential buildings.
The proposed changes will still be put to a vote at town meeting in April. But during a virtual meeting on Thursday, the planning board voted 3 to 2 against the petition. A letter explaining its opposition will be included in the town meeting warrant, said board chair Ewell Hopkins.
Oak Bluffs currently permits dispensaries in an overlay district farther from downtown. Board member Mark Crossland, who voted against the zoning changes, said that the businesses are intentionally restricted to an area less frequented by children and tourists.
“I don’t think [dispensaries] should be downtown at all,” he said. “We have enough establishments downtown that create impairment.... I think it should be out by the hospital or something.”
Board members Sean DeBettencourt and Erik Albert advocated for the changes, citing Mr. Rose’s experience and success running Island Time in Vineyard Haven. But Mr. Hopkins and board member JoJo Lambert argued that Mr. Rose had not provided enough evidence that a marijuana business would fail in the overlay district.
“I’m concerned that the current district has not been fully vetted,” said Mr. Hopkins. “Until the people of Oak Bluffs are given facts of why the [overlay district] makes no sense, I encourage us to support the districts that are on the books.”
-Riis Williams
Comments
Since hemp pills can be
Sara Crafts Oak BluffsSince hemp pills can be ordered on-line, just who is the over-reaching planning board saving us from? I think since Marijuana has been judged by rational minds to be a legal substance and alcohol which destroys families and communities is allowed apparently virtually anywhere it would be good to examine the Planning Board's individual agendas and prejudices.
Thank you Sara. Alcohol has
George Stein OBThank you Sara. Alcohol has cost lives ruining families creating an extensive industry of rehabilitation facilities and programs. The horrors of marijuana have proven to be just rhetorical. The distribution network is alive and thriving across America staying under the radar of taxation. OB needs revenue not more drama.
Oh, so the many
Roddy Seasonal VisitorOh, so the many establishments that sell alcohol all over the basin and Circuit Avenue area to folks (some with fake IDS) who could easily turn rowdy are fine, but not a weed shop that requires multiple layers of ID? Really? Seems like a little competition from a product that could actually mellow people out would be a good thing.
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