Dedham Establishes Recreational Marijuana Moratorium

DEDHAM, MA — Dedham will place a hold on anyone looking to bring a recreational marijuana business to town.

Town meeting overwhelmingly approved a moratorium on recreational marijuana, passing Article 18 on a voice vote. The vote establish a moratorium that will be in effect through December 31, 2018, or six months from the date that final regulations are issued by the Cannabis Control Commission, whichever date is later.

Currently, the town does not have any zoning bylaws regarding recreational marijuana businesses. Planning board Chairman Michael Podolski said the moratorium would give the town time to study the issue and decide where to zone marijuana business or if they even want the businesses.

"We’re not seeking to ban anything with a moratorium. We’re putting it on hold until there are regulations from the state level or the town implements their own, Podolski said.

Dedham currently has no regulations or zoning for recreational marijuana, meaning that a business dealing with the drug could operate in most parts of town.

Medical marijuana businesses will not be affected because they have separate regulations.

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