Ballot Question Could Prevent Recreational Marijuana Operations in Foxborough

FOXBOROUGH, MA — Foxborough could become the latest down ask the voters to opt out of a ballot question that legalized recreational marijuana.

Town Planner Page Duncan told the selectmen this week that a question on the town election ballot is a way for the town to address the issue of marijuana businesses in town. Currently, there is an article on the Town Meeting warrant that places an 18-month moratorium on the legislation.

Question 4, a proposal to make marijuana legal in Massachusetts for adults over 21, barely failed in Foxborough, with 5,226 residents voting no and 5,011 voting yes. Duncan said there is a concern that fewer people could decide what happens since Question 4 was on the ballot of a Presidential election compared to the proposed referendum which would go on the spring ballot.

If the selectmen vote to place the question on the ballot, voters will be asked to prohibit the operation of all recreational marijuana businesses and establishments in Foxborough.

“This would nip it in the bud,” Selectman Ginny Coppola said.

If voters choose to outlaw marijuana businesses in Foxborough, they will be asked to approve a zoning bylaw at Town Meeting to complete the ban.

Currently, no one in the state is able to get a recreational marijuana license until July 1, 2018.

After Selectman Chris Mitchell asked for more time to study the issue, the board chose to table the topic until their next meeting.