CONWAY — Adoption of the final article on the special town meeting warrant set for Monday would remove a temporary moratorium on marijuana establishments and outline permitting standards and requirements such enterprises must meet if they want to locate in Conway.
The article would add to the bylaws the definitions of 10 marijuana-related terms (such as Craft Marijuana Cultivator Cooperative, Independent Testing Laboratory and Marijuana Retailer) and create a five-year expiration timeline for special permits allowing for the operation of marijuana establishments.
Massachusetts voters opted on Nov. 8, 2016, to legalize recreational adult use of marijuana, and related growing and selling of pot and related products.
At a Selectboard meeting on Monday, Selectboard member Philip Kantor said any pot establishment would generate non-property tax revenue, which he said is “a rare and treasured endangered species.” By law, communities may add a local sales tax to pot transactions within their borders.
Under the revised bylaws, cultivation would only be indoors unless the product can be grown outdoors “in a manner that minimizes public nuisances including odors, noise, and lighting to neighboring properties.”
The special town meeting will start at 7:30 p.m. at the Grammar School. A copy of the warrant can be found at https://bit.ly/2MIbhBe.