Massachusetts Town Restricts Number of Cannabis Stores

[dropcap class=”kp-dropcap”]U[/dropcap]ntil recently, there was no local law in Orange, Massachusetts limiting the number of cannabis shops and retailers in the city, meaning an infinite number of cannabis shops could open up in town with no regards to consent from the residents.  

At a Special Town Meeting last week, residents of Orange changed all that. They voted to set the limit on the number of recreational cannabis stores allowed in town to 20 percent of the number of off-site liquor licenses the town may issue.

According to the state liquor laws, Orange’s population allows for eight off-site liquor licenses. By being allowed to round up, two dispensaries will be allowed in city limits.

Massachusetts has been slowly granting cannabis businesses licenses and, last month, allowed the first two dispensaries in the state to open. Orange has been eyed by cannabis companies for its close proximity to the highway at a central New England location. Officials picked eight potential cannabis businesses and issued letters of non-opposition and Host Community Agreements, which are part of the lengthy process of becoming licensed by the state.  

“This is so we don’t have one pop up on every corner,” said planning board member John McHale, who drafted the bylaw. “We can’t support the businesses we have,” said Andrea O’Brien, who spoke out against the bylaw, stating it would be bad for the local economy. “It doesn’t seem possible that more than one retail marijuana shop can survive, let alone two. We do not need this bylaw, and I’d rather see real businesses in town than empty storefronts and movie set stores.” Town Administrator Gabriele Voelker said, despite the bylaw, the town is still encouraging cannabis businesses, pointing to the fact that the bylaw only affects retail stores. “We’re not stifling them,” Voelker said.

Voelker also said Orange’s downtown businesses has been supportive of the new rule so far. She said passing the bylaw makes sense “just like you would want to limit liquor stores or bars.”