Why I Support a Medical Marijuana Dispensary in Ashland

Disclaimer: The Town of Ashland does not have a Host Community

Agreement at this time. There are discussions currently taking place between
Trichome Health and the Town, but there are no specifics to discuss. Any
action by the Board of Selectmen would depend on a satisfactory Host
Community Agreement.

My viewpoint represents an individual position as a resident, taxpayer and a

Select Board member. I do not represent the Board or any Board member
other than myself. My analysis is based on the law, social issue concerns and
economic impacts. I choose to not reflect on the viability of medicinal
cannabis. The research is convincing in that there is a significant and growing
body of studies that support cannabis use for a variety of medical issues. I
realize that there is not a consensus on the benefits, but that leads me to
agree that more research studies are needed. I also stress that my viewpoints
concern medicinal cannabis only. Much of the recent commentary has
confused the lines between medicinal and adult-use cannabis (aka
recreational).

In 2012, the Commonwealth of Massachusetts and the Town of Ashland

voted to support MGL Chapter 369, “An Act for the Humanitarian Medical
Use of Marijuana”. In 2013, the Town voted to support a zoning bylaw
(Ashland Zoning Bylaws, Chapter 282, Section 6.5) that allowed for siting in
our Highway Commerce and Industrial districts. Our bylaw requires a
Special Permit process administered through our Planning Board.

The law addresses the role of “municipalities in adopting local laws and
regulations regarding uses related to marijuana for medical use that
appropriate for their community”. I would direct those interested to the
“Guidance for Municipalities Regarding the Medical Use of Marijuana”
updated December, 2017. There are also guidelines for the construction and
physical building requirements of a dispensary. See “Architectural Review of
Registered Marijuana Dispensaries”.

Economic Impacts

The Town is currently engaged in discussions with a company proposing to

locate a dispensary on Pond Street, located in a Highway Commerce zone. I
have attached photos, as well as an aerial view of the site. The location is a
parcel that has been unused for many years and has been allowed to
deteriorate. I would contend that the construction of a new building would
improve a long-term vacant lot on an under-utilized highway corridor.

There has been concerns raised about the impacts of a dispensary on real
estate values and to whether a dispensary is the best use of the parcel.
There are a number of studies that have reported on the impacts on
property values, primarily as related to adult-use locations. Since
Massachusetts has not had sufficient history, the studies address out-of-state
establishments. Most of the reports that I have reviewed indicate either no-
impact or an increase in property values relative to proximity to a marijuana
location. I suggest that readers do the research to determine real concerns
surrounding real estate values. I would suggest that improvements to a
vacant parcel would have a positive impact on the property value, including
abutting properties.

Concerns have been raised that locating a dispensary near residential areas
abutting Pond Street is incompatible with family neighborhoods. The site for
a potential dispensary has been business zoned for as long as anyone can
remember and that section of the Highway commerce district includes a (2)
liquor stores, (2) used-car lots, a Chinese restaurant and a supermarket plaza
with a variety of businesses. This is not a situation where a business is being
proposed into an area that is empty of other business uses. I have posted
photos of existing dispensaries located in Brookline, Newton and Needham.
From my perspective, the buildings offer clean and attractive exteriors with
appropriate and fitting signage.

Over the last several years, Ashland has made a concerted and organized
effort to promote economic development and grow our commercial tax
base. The Town has created an Economic Development office and our ED
Director is active in promoting Ashland as a place to do business. I realize
that there are many opinions as to what businesses residents would like to
see in Ashland. What is the best use for a long vacant lot? Why would a
dispensary be considered any less viable than a doctor’s office or a CVS? We
have a company interested in doing business in Ashland. Why would we not
consider the benefits of increased property tax revenues and improvements
to one of Ashland’s primary commerce corridors?

There are other economic benefits that are part of a negotiated Host
Community Agreement. Both a percentage of gross sales and additional
mitigation monies have the opportunity to yield significant revenues that can
be utilized for a variety of community purposes. Think of the Meals Tax,
which was adopted in 2014, and generates in excess of $200,000 yearly. The
additional revenue has helped to support the Pond Street Revitalization
efforts, the Ashland Public Library (Monday opening) and the Ashland
Community Center (support for an Activities Coordinator). Please note
that the Town does not have a Host Agreement at this time, so that any
revenue amounts are speculative. But it is fair to suggest that the yearly
dollars will exceed what Ashland generates with the meals tax. Some
residents may feel that the additional revenue derived from medical cannabis
is not an appropriate source for various reasons. I respectively disagree.
Social Impacts

There has been much discussion of the social impacts on our youth, on
crime, the negative perceptions or stigma on the community and if
supporting a dispensary is counter to our community values. I have found
that much of the commentary has confused the differences between
medicinal and adult-use cannabis, and feel that a portion of the commentary
intentionally creates the confusion. Like most controversial issues, there are
many studies and data that either support or oppose medicinal cannabis and
that we can all grab information to support our position. Residents should
attempt to gain a balanced view of the medicinal environment, both pro and
con.

Our primary concerns should be centered on both the impacts on our

children and the effects on crime. There are claims that medical marijuana
laws sends the wrong message to adolescents and cause an increase in youth
use. Massachusetts is one of 29 states with medical marijuana legislation, with
the first state adopting medical marijuana laws in 1996. There is a significant
amount of data that is available and surveys indicate that teen use has
declined in most states that have medical marijuana laws. Note that
Massachusetts does not have data because our law is still new, but I would
anticipate that Massachusetts will see similar results and suggest that having
both strong family and community support systems impact youth behavior. I
would further suggest that tobacco and alcohol consumption are much more
concerning youth issues than medical marijuana.

Given the state-mandated security measures for dispensaries, as well as the

ability for the Ashland Planning Board to condition a Special Permit, a
dispensary would have better security than an average pharmacy. Studies
show that dispensaries are not magnets for crime and are no more likely to
attract crime than any other business. In fact, studies show that tobacco
shops or liquor stores are more linked to increases in crime. Given the level
of the opiate crisis, pharmacies are also targets for crime. Locations that are
under-utilized and in disrepair also attract potential criminal activities.

How is support of a medical dispensary counter to our community values?

If we agree that Ashland is a compassionate, empathetic, caring and
humanitarian community, how would a dispensary location in Ashland reflect
otherwise? Ashland is fortunate to have School and Town programs and
services that support our mission as a caring community. Ashland also has
several organizations who provide additional resources in support of a
compassionate and caring community.

End Notes

My intent is not to be dismissive or disrespectful. As I expressed earlier,

there is voluminous amounts of information and data regarding medicinal
marijuana and the health, social and economic impacts. I have spent a fair
amount of time reading and discussing the subject with various residents in
an effort to come to an understanding based on facts rather than emotion
and anecdotal commentary. From my perspective, medical marijuana offers
relief for a variety of conditions and the locating of a dispensary on Pond
Street would not have a negative impact on the surrounding area and suggest
that a dispensary would provide a net benefit. These are my conclusions as a
resident and taxpayer. Although I serve as a Selectman, again, I do not
represent the Board or any other member. If you would like to discuss my
views, I can be reached at stevenmitchell@verizon.net or 508-881-3379.