Marijuana

Marijuana

Special Election Tuesday, September 25, 2018

Polls opened 7am - 8pm & Rides to the Polls offered 9am - 6pm. Contact the LWV at rides [at] BelmontLWV.org or 617-771-8500.
ELECTION RESULTS:
YES: 2,004 63.34%
NO: 1,160 36.66%
Turnout: 18.22%

There was ONE question on PDF icon the ballot and it's all about MARIJUANA:

What does a YES vote mean?
  • Prohibit cultivation, manufacturing, and independent testing labs in BELMONT; and
  • Limit the number of state-issued retail licenses available in Belmont to 20% of the number of current alcohol retail licenses (TWO right now).
What does a NO vote mean?

ALLOW ALL TYPES of marijuana establishments in BELMONT and would NOT LIMIT the number of retail establishments. Retail stores as well as cultivators, manufacturers, and testing labs could apply for a license from the State to operate in Belmont.

What this ballot question does NOT DO:

  1. It does NOT ban marijuana retail stores; neither a YES nor a NO vote would "opt-out" Belmont from marijuana establishments. It restricts the type and number of licenses that would be available for issuance by the State.
  2. It does not circumvent zoning bylaws. The Planning Board is diligently drafting bylaws for adult-use marijuana establishments, to be voted on at Town Meeting later this fall.
  3. It does not pertain to Medical Marijuana (see warrant discussion in URL link above).

BACKGROUND: In the 2016 November General Election, a majority of votes cast in Belmont were in favor of allowing adult-use recreational marijuana in MA. This makes Belmont a "YES Town" and different rules apply to "YES Town" than "NO Towns". Therefore, Belmont is required to have a special election for ANY restriction on adult-use marijuana.

For more information:

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