ATHOL — Like it or not, recreational marijuana is legal in Massachusetts, and Athol wants input regarding potential regulatory controls.

The Board of Planning and Community Development plans to host a public forum at 7 p.m. in Town Hall on Nov. 16 for discussion on the new law and to generate feedback for potential regulatory controls.

Recreational marijuana was legalized by state voters a year ago, and is treated much in the way alcohol is. Nearly 57 percent of Athol voters were in favor of Question 4, to allow the nonmedical use of marijuana by adults in Massachusetts. The state may license recreational marijuana dispensing sites as soon as April 2018, and Athol officials are interested in developing appropriate local regulations to be voted on at a special town meeting expected early next year.

According to the planning and development office’s public forum announcement, the board will present general information on the planning process and regulations relating to recreational marijuana. Elected officials and community members are welcome to comment on siting requirements and general issues.

Also, Town Manager Shaun Suhoski formed a working group of key staffers and members of the planning, health, finance and select boards to facilitate the process. Discussion of this group is on the agenda for tonight’s Athol Selectboard meeting, scheduled for 7 p.m. in Town Hall.

Gov. Charlie Baker signed “An Act to Ensure Safe Access to Marijuana,” the state Legislature’s revised law on the subject, on July 28. The newly appointed Cannabis Control Commission (CCC) is expected to adopt regulations, guidelines and protocols on March 15, 2018, for the issuance of recreational marijuana licenses. Athol’s planning and community development board must develop zoning regulations before the CCC’s adoption of regulations in order to meet statutory hearing and town meeting notice requirements.

Links to the public forum notice and a copy of the certified vote in which Athol residents endorsed Question 4 can be found at: bit.ly/2h3uUqp.

Reach Domenic Poli at:
dpoli@recorder.com
or 413-772-0261, ext. 258.
Twitter: @DomenicPoli