On Monday, February 5, the Marion Planning Board will hold a public hearing regarding a proposed temporary moratorium on marijuana licenses and sales in town. The moratorium is on the ballot of Marion's upcoming Special Town Meeting.

The hearing will be held in the Town House conference room. It will begin at 7:10 p.m.

Cheryl Sbarra, senior staff attorney for the Massachusetts Association of Health Boards, will be present at the hearing. She will listen to residents' concerns and answer questions regarding the law which will permit sales of adult-use marijuana in Massachusetts. Sbarra provides technical assistance, policy guidance, and legal education to the 351 local boards of health in Massachusetts.

The law, which allows certain personal use and possession of marijuana, took effect on December 15, 2016. It requires towns to have a Cannabis Control Commission to issue regulations regarding the licensing of commercial activities by March 15, 2018. The law also requires towns to begin accepting applications for licenses no later than April 1, 2018.

Currently under Marion’s Zoning Bylaw, an store selling marijuana is not specifically addressed. The Cannabis Control Commission may provide guidance on certain aspects of local regulation on stores and businesses that sell marijuana, including legal, planning, and public safety issues.

Marion residents, as well as those of other towns, may inspect the full text of the temporary moratorium article at the Planning Board office in Marion's Town House.

Any questions or comments can be forwarded to the Planning Board office at 508-748-3517 or to Town Planner, Gil Hilario, ghilario@marionma.gov, 508-748-3513.