“This non-binding referendum vote will inform town officials and representatives as they consider whether or not to lift the ban.”
While Burlington, Vermont is well known for all sorts of cannabis activity, the town of Burlington in Massachusetts—in the northwest suburbs of Boston and Cambridge—still has a long way to go.
As the Daily Times Chronicle up that way reported in February:
A general bylaw article that would have formally rescinded the current prohibition on retail marijuana establishments in Burlington narrowly failed by a voting margin of 44-46.
The bylaw change is the first of three steps, including a zoning bylaw amendment which was removed from the warrant before this matter was heard, before a recreational dispensary could be established in town.
Still, the fight continues, with the next battle of sorts coming to the Burlington ballot box this coming Saturday, April 5, in the form of the nonbinding Question 2: “Shall the town consider repealing the prohibition of marijuana establishments as set forth in Article XIII, Section 1.42 of the Town of Burlington Bylaws?” Here’s the breakdown from the voter information guide published by the Burlington Buzz:
Question 2 asks whether or not voters support the lifting of a ban on recreational marijuana sales that was put in place by Town Meeting in 2017 after a state election where 54% of Burlington residents did not approve of allowing the legalization of recreational marijuana sales.
This non-binding referendum vote will inform town officials and representatives as they consider whether or not to lift the ban and implement zoning that would allow recreational dispensaries. Medical dispensaries are currently allowed statewide but do not generate local tax revenue; recreational dispensaries can generate 3% in taxes to the municipality.
Proponents say the legalization of recreational dispensaries in town will generate tax revenue to the town in a time when many building projects are set to cost the town hundreds of millions of dollars and that this move will allow local regulation of sales. Opponents say the social impacts of marijuana use are ignored in this proposal and that having a dispensary in town could deter other businesses from wanting to locate in Burlington.
We reached out to Jonathan Napoli, the owner of Burlington Cannabis Co. which his team is trying to open in town.
“Prohibition is over,” Napoli told Talking Joints Memo. “If you are allowing tobacco and alcohol sales in your town, then it is pretty damn hypocritical not to allow cannabis. Consumers deserve freedom of choice, safety, and the ability to shop locally.”
