Chatham Selectmen Approve Bylaw to Prohibit Recreational Marijuana Outlets

CHATHAM – Chatham Selectmen have approved a bylaw that prohibits recreational marijuana outlets from operating in the town.

The vote was unanimous and was supported by a couple of residents who thanked their town officials before the vote took place.

Town Counsel will now look to draft language for the bylaw on a warrant, which could go before voters at annual town meeting next May.

“There’s a lot of concerns with the recreational component of this conversation, it scares the heck out of me in a lot of levels, and I think we need to take appropriate action as representatives of this town to protect the community,” said Selectmen Chair Corey Metters.

The application process opens on April 1st, 2018, for existing registered or licensed medical marijuana providers in the state who want to convert to recreational sales.

The deadline for all applications will be October 1st, 2018 and October 1st, 2019 for all cultivation licenses.

Chatham joins other towns on the Cape like Sandwich, who want to prevent recreational marijuana shops from opening in the town.

“I think it’s a cultural issue and I’m not sure that our town is ready for that sort of shift,” said Selectman Shareen Davis.

The state Attorney General’s Office also requires that in addition to a general bylaw, which requires a majority vote at town meeting, there has to be a zoning bylaw which requires a two-thirds vote at town meeting.

By JUSTIN SAUNDERS, CapeCod.com Newscenter

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