Selectmen Give Proposed Medical Marijuana Dispensary Letter of Support

MANSFIELD, MA - A medical marijuana dispensary is closer to opening in Mansfield.

Wednesday night, the selectmen voted 4-1 to allow Town Manager Bill Ross to issue a letter of support to CommCan Inc. By law, a dispensary can't open without the letter.

Jess Aptowitz was the lone dissenting vote.

A week earlier, the Millis company presented the selectmen with a plan to open a dispensary in the Cabot Business Park on West Street, near Forbes Boulevard.

In 2012, medical marijuana became legal in Massachusetts after voters approved it in a ballot initiative. The measure passed in Mansfield 7,281-4,258.

In addition to the letter, CommCan requires a variance from the Zoning Board of Appeals, a special permit from the Planning Board, and a community agreement from the selectmen. The dispensary would open in 2017 at the earliest, according to CommCan officials.