Decision Time For Retail Marijuana In Stoneham

You've heard the debate, talked to your neighbors, now it's time to answer the question. Are Stoneham voters ok with the establishment of retail marijuana sales in town? Monday night in the town hall auditorium residents will be asked to vote on that question and three others in a Special Town Meeting scheduled to start at 7.

In the 2016 state election, Stoneham residents were opposed to Question 4 and the legalization of recreational marijuana with 6,886 voting no to 6,121 yes. But the state-wide vote passed and it became law. The state is now allowing towns that were opposed to Question 4 the opportunity to ban sales in their towns. The issue has been much discussed, including last Monday when the town held a question-and-answer session for residents.

The full article question asks, "To see if the town will vote to amend Stoneham Town Code, Chapter 20, Board of Health by inserting a new Article XV, including a new Section 20-93, Definitions, and adding a new Section 20-94, Marijuana Not Medically Prescribed."

Legal lingo aside it comes down to the last lines of Article 1, "marijuana retailers or any other type of licensed marijuana-related businesses shall be prohibited within the Town of Stoneham."

The three other articles will attract less attention. Article 2 would increase the fines for businesses that fail to clear snow from sidewalks. Article 3 asks for the transfer of $25,000 to improve and maintain the town hall parking lots and surrounding areas. And Article 4 asks if the Town will clean out a section of a ditch.