WARWICK — A craft marijuana cooperative policy passed by a vote of 29 to 28 at the Annual Town Meeting after Warwick Town Moderator, David Koester voted in favor of the article.

In what is probably a rare instance, the first vote was 28 in favor and 25 against, before a recount determined there was a tie of 28 to 28, calling on the moderator to vote.

Selectboard Chair Lawrence “Doc” Pruyne, who has been in town for seven years, said he’s never seen the moderator have to break a tie before.

The vote makes marijuana cultivation legal by-right in Warwick, effectively streamlining the legal process that a prospective grower would go through by removing the need for town approval. (A grower would still need approval from the state.)

Town Administrator David Young said that a dispensary in Warwick is unlikely, considering the remoteness of the town; but public opinion in town seems receptive to growers.

So far only one person has approached the Selectboard to request a letter of non-opposition for a potential growing operation, Young said. But it raised the issue that, if a town government employee ever wanted to grow, the non-opposition letter would be a conflict of interest. The by-right rule resolves that.

“I envision grandma could legally grow a little weed, have it tested, sell it through the local cooperative and pay taxes and have a little added money,” Young said. “I see a possible niche market.”

Young added once someone received approval from the town, that’s not even 1 percent of the process necessary to get permission to have a craft marijuana cooperative.

Residents expressed concerns about giving businesses “by-right.”

Resident John Gagliani said at the meeting that while he sees what the town is trying to do, he believes it sets a harmful precedent.

“When you get it to by-right you open up a can of worms and if you want to legislate, that people have a right to grow plants, but I think when you’re saying everyone has by-right to have marijuana facilities on a property you’re opening a whole can of worms,” Gagliani said.

Planning Board member John Williamson said the policy came before the board and he said the town is a right-to-farm community.

“This is an agricultural crop, maybe something the farmers need locally to keep their heads above water,” Williamson said. “The craft marijuana cooperatives can only grow and sell to an actual dispensary so there is no selling that would be going on in Warwick. It would just be growing.”

He said state regulations would also be enforced.

Reach Melina Bourdeau at mbourdeau@recorder.com or 413-772-0261 ext. 263.