Marijuana In Waltham: Public Hearing Kicks Up Debate

WALTHAM, MA — They held signs and packed the city council chambers, some standing in the aisles Monday night to make their voices heard. Many were there some to support retail marijuana in the city and weigh in on a proposed ordinance. Others were there to ask the city to extend the retail marijuana store moratorium until June 30 or when a zoning ordinance passes.

"Stop Stalling #doyourjob," read one sign. Another read:"Gimme GR$$N, Tax Revenue = New School." Representing the other side of the debate were individual holding signs indicating they were against retail marijuana altogether. "No No No commercial Marijuana in Waltham," read one such sign.

This hearing comes as retail marijuana has been a hot topic recently in the city. This fall, the council voted, after pushback in a public hearing and in an effort for the law department and the city to prepare regulations, to have a moratorium on marijuana licensing until Dec. 31. And two weeks ago, a few dozen protesters attended a Waltham Democratic City Committee marijuana meeting by on Jan. 17, outside Government Center as the committee updated folks about a proposed ordinance.

The proposed regulations were drawn up by the city's legal office in November and this is the first public hearing on them. There's room for editing, but so far, the ordinance would require pot shops be relegated to commercial or industrially zoned areas, meaning Moody Street couldn't have one. It would also prohibit retail marijuana shops from opening within 500 feet of a school, day care center, park, elderly housing facility or any "facility" where children commonly congregate." (State regulation only limits the distance to schools).

The proposal would prohibit stores from opening earlier than 8 a.m. or later than 8 p.m. Monday - Saturday. It would also limit the number of marijuana retail store licenses to 20 percent of the city's liquor store licenses. There are currently 19 liquor store licenses, which means three or four retail pot shop licenses.

The state, including Waltham, voted in favor of the 2016 state election on a question that would legalize adult-use recreational marijuana, although there is a growing group of citizens lobbying against retail marijuana altogether.

Those opposed to retail marijuana worry about potential influence on children, traffic and crime. Those for retail marijuana point out the state, and more than 50 percent of the city voted in favor of legalizing marijuana nearly three years ago. Proponents argue that tax revenue from the stores could go toward helping the city pay for the new high school or police station.

Now that the council has heard from the public, both the draft zoning proposal and the moratorium proposal will be forwarded to the Rules And Ordinances Committee, where the five city councilors who sit on that committee will make changes based on public feedback, before sending it back to the full council for another review.

City Councilor Kristine Makin, who represents Ward 7, said she is gathering a list of questions from the public -much of which is coming to her via social media - to that committee for discussion next week.

"I am glad to see so many people engaged with our government. This issue has raised public awareness of the [importance] of our local government, and residents' ability to have an impact," Mackin said in message to Patch. "There is a Reddit post today where people are making comments about how good an experience it was for them to come speak, and asking how else they can be involved. I am encouraged that people are engaging respectfully and enthusiastically, and I hope this will be a continuing trend for all of 2019!"

Mackin said it seems most people she's spoken to directly want retail zoning that is thoughtful and supports the ability of small shops to open, and for buyers to easily and safely access the product.

But, she said during public hearings she hears more from those who want to halt the zoning and extend the moratorium.

At Large Councilor Carlos Vidal said he hasn't actually heard from that many people outside of the hearings.

"I've only gotten three calls on [marijuana retail shops], two against and one for," he told Patch over the phone.

We wanted to know where you stand, so we asked folks following us on Facebook to weigh in. Here's how the vote looks. It will be online until Wednesday morning if you want to cast your vote:

Related: Marijuana In Waltham: Public Hearing Brings Out Dozens

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Photo credit: Jenna Fisher/Patch Staff