North Attleboro – A medical marijuana facility looking to set up shop in town will no longer pursue plans for a cultivation facility – but a dispensary is not out of the cards, just yet.
Selectmen said Thursday the medical marijuana company Hope Heal Health has moved forward with a cultivation facility in Fall River, but is still considering a dispensary in the North Attleboro Industrial Park. A public hearing was planned for Thursday’s meeting, but was cancelled at the last minute to avoid a run-in with the state’s Open Meeting Law.
But, residents showed up to comment, nonetheless.
Town Administrator Michael Gallagher said the board could not move forward with the hearing because it had not been posted twice in the North Attleboro Free Press, as planned.
Selectmen still offered residents the opportunity to speak on the issue during the community comment section, but only two members from the audience spoke.
Allen Conaway read a letter from the North Attleboro Industrial Park Association, offering questions on a Host Community Agreement between the town and Hope Heal Health that outlined rules and regulations by the town.
Conaway said that while the association had not been opposed to previous plans for a cultivation facility, it is opposed to a dispensary because of traffic concerns and fear the company would later petition to sell recreational marijuana.
Resident Charles Deschenes also came forward with concerns about the town’s motivation behind the plant.
“What happens when this drug becomes a major source of revenue for the town, and all of a sudden we decide it was a bad idea?” he said. “I think the town being invested in anything customer sales related seems stupid.”
Selectmen offered little discussion but later revisited a motion to reschedule the public hearing.
Selectman Paul Belham and Selectwoman Anne Lonzo said because Hope Heal Health is still considering other towns, North Attleboro should not hold a hearing specific to the company until it declares intent.
But, Chairman Patrick Reynolds and Selectman Michael Lennox argued the board promised residents a hearing, and discussion was of public interest.
A public hearing related to any facility interested in bringing medical or recreational marijuana to North Attleboro will be held at 6 p.m. Dec. 15 at Town Hall.
News Moderator: Katelyn Baker 420 MAGAZINE ®
Full Article: Medical Marijuana Growing Facility Out For North Attleboro, But A Dispensary Still On The Table
Author: Kayla Canne
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