Worcester thought through medical marijuana process
It has been more than five years since 60 percent of voters in Worcester joined those across Massachusetts in approving medical marijuana. Last week, Worcester signed its first community host agreement with a group hoping to open a dispensary. It's taken us a long time to get to this point, with good reason. The government has a responsibility to ensure the program is rolled out safely and thoughtfully.
Throughout the process, my guiding principal has been one thing: "Will this benefit the community?" The deal we struck last week, and any we may agree to in the future, does just that. It will provide for safe access to medical marijuana while maintaining neighborhood safety, creating jobs for local people and offering significant benefits for the entire community.
Medical marijuana dispensary operators will make substantial payments to the city – $450,000 over three years, plus an escalating percentage of gross sales – which we will use to benefit Worcester's youth. The city will use the money to fund Recreation Worcester, a program started two years ago to provide quality, free summer and after-school programming for kids. In consultation with the district councilor and neighbors, dispensary owners will donate another $10,000 to neighborhood organizations like Little League and the local small business association. They have pledged to pay all property taxes, regardless of their nonprofit status.
Three rules
Before beginning any negotiations, the city of Worcester took a methodical approach to ensuring medical marijuana would be delivered safely, and with a minimal impact to the neighborhood. We required every group wanting to open a dispensary to do three things:
1) Host a neighborhood meeting at the proposed dispensary site in conjunction with the area district councilor,
2) Present its proposal to a joint meeting of the city fire department, police, inspectional services, economic development, public health and the Office of the City Manager, and
3) Negotiate a community host agreement with the city.
In addition, the state has a comprehensive application process for anyone seeking to open a dispensary. Before any dispensary can open, it must comply with all local rules, regulations, ordinances and bylaws, in addition to all applicable state laws.
What voters want, safely
Every dispensary will have a detailed security plan and meet strict state requirements. They will be sited smartly. No more than four dispensaries will be approved citywide, and they will not be clustered in any neighborhood or opened near a school or daycare.
These steps ensure medical marijuana has a place in Worcester, as the voters wanted. They also ensure dispensaries bring added value for the entire community, and operate safely and securely.
In 2012, Worcester sent a clear signal it wanted patients to have access to medical marijuana. It was up to the city of Worcester to ensure that access is delivered smartly. The agreement signed last week shows that it will be. n
Edward M. Augustus, Jr. is the city manager of Worcester.
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