MY PERSONAL NOTES for the 3-12-2018 Council as a Whole Marijuana Meeting
032-18 3% Local Sales Tax, Approve.
033-18 Alcoholic Beverages and Marijuana
This Ordinance to amend 56-1 of the City Code appears to disallow the Consumption of Marijuana in a public area explicitly; without any ability for the City to allow it for special circumstances that may arise like for special events.
Whereas, in this same Ordinance, Alcohol is also prohibited in a public area, unless in an area licensed by the Board of License Commissioners.
Why are we not treating Marijuana in the same fashion as alcohol, and subjecting it to the limitations of the areas as licensed by the Board of License Commissioners?
When and If Social Consumption businesses are allowed by the State Cannabis Control Commission, will the Board of License Commissioners be our City entity that would regulate Marijuana Licenses? I would assume so.
Move to amend the proposed Ordinance to subject the Public Consumption Marijuana use to the same limitations as Alcohol.
034-18 Marijuana Retailers
This ordinance sets the number of allowed Marijuana Retailers, defined as: an entity licensed to purchase and deliver non-medical marijuana and marijuana products from ‘Marijuana Establishments’ and to deliver, sell or otherwise transfer non-medical marijuana and marijuana products to ME’s and their consumers.
It is currently proposed to set the maximum for the city at the minimum number as allowed per the State Act to Ensure Safe Access to Marijuana Section 23 which basically says that if a majority of our citizens voted yes on Question 4, which Fitchburg was 56.8% yes, then we cannot “ limit the number of marijuana retailers to fewer than 20 per cent of the number of licenses issued within the city or town for the retail sale of alcoholic beverages not to be drunk on the premises where sold” unless we put it on the ballot.
We have approximately 18 Alcohol Package Stores in the City of Fitchburg.
A 20% maximum would limits us currently to (4) allowable Marijuana Retailer licenses. 18 locations throughout the city to purchase Alcohol, and 4 for Marijuana.
Move to amend the proposed Ordinance to limit the total number of Marijuana Retailer licenses to be equal to the number of alcoholic beverage licenses not to be drunk on the premises.
035-18 Social Marijuana Consumption
This ordinance regulates the allowance of public Social Marijuana Consumption businesses in Fitchburg.
The Cannabis Control Regulations as of 3-9-2018, 935 CMR, prohibit social consumption businesses already, so I see no need to further prohibit this in the city ordinance.
If CCC Regulations, 935 CMR, is amended to allow Social Consumption Businesses, the question is if Fitchburg wants to disallow this business model right from the start?
We currently have 68 locations in the city where Alcohol can be consumed on premises, in a restaurant, bar or special event location such as the Airport, Main Street or at Fitchburg State University.
I believe banning Social Consumption businesses altogether, when we have 68 locations for alcohol, is not in spirit with Question 4, that passed with 56.8% of Fitchburg Voters voting Yes, that read in part “The purpose of this act is to control the production and distribution of marijuana… in a manner similar to alcohol and to make it legal for adults 21 years of age or older”
Move to give this ordinance leave to withdraw.
036-18 Marijuana as a Drug
Move to amend the ordinance to Add the Definition for Marijuana on its own line, and not be sub-classified under the drug definition.
037-18 Prohibit underage use
Ok!
