Grafton Residents Concerned as It Edges Closer to Medical Marijuana Dispensary Approval

Seven Massachusetts towns have completed the next steps for approval of a medical dispensary.

According to the state’s site, as of Jan. 12, siting proposals were submitted for Norwood, North Grafton, Middleborough, Fall River, Bourne and Brewster.

The applicants originally submitted proposals in June and July, reports The Boston Globe, with four making it through a preliminary review, and then asked to submit a siting profile. Other applications have been received but specific locations weren’t named.

The four locations that have been approved to sell must have their local letters of support and zoning permits reviewed are Salem, Ayer, Brockton and Northampton. The sites will then enter the inspection phase, which includes building permits and architectural reviews, said the Globe. This process could take up to 540 days.

The current status of all proposed medical marijuana facilities can be found here on the state’s site.

In North Grafton, the proposed site is for 206 Worcester St. by Sage Cannabis, which has brought about some opposition, prompting many to attend a recent Board of Selectmen meeting to speak against it. More than 100 residents aired concerns about traffic, crime, and impact on property values, reports the Worcester Telegram and Gazette.

Some residents mobilized to create a Facebook page called Concerned Grafton Citizens, who argue that “the proposed North Grafton location for a Marijuana Dispensary is owned by Sargon Realty at a school bus stop where children gather daily and on top of a residential neighborhood...North Grafton families and homes are being threatened by an unfair process being pushed through over the holidays without public knowledge. Put in place to benefit the few with vested interests while harming many residents, their homes and neighborhoods. Please help fight for proper siting and location.”

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