EASTHAMPTON -- Days after Gov. Charlie Baker signed a new recreational marijuana bill into law, several officials at Tuesday's Planning Board meeting said they would support a strong, thriving legal cannabis trade in Easthampton.

"There was some concern expressed about this becoming a marijuana destination city," said board member Christopher Cockshaw. "I don't think that's a bad idea. That's kind of wonderful. I'm OK with that."

"I agree with everything you just said," responded member James Zarvis, after Cockshaw described how marijuana has enhanced his own experience of landscape beauty.

City Councilor Salem Derby stepped twice to the dais to express his distaste for marijuana prohibition, saying it has historical roots in racism, and that the plant is no more harmful than alcohol. Around 63 percent of Easthampton voters approved legal marijuana at the ballot box in 2016, he said.

The lively meeting marked the beginning of what promises to be a lengthy discussion about recreational marijuana in Easthampton. Around 20 people attended, and a dozen people spoke.

Should "cannabis cafes" -- where on-site consumption takes place -- be encouraged? Should the total number of marijuana shops be limited? Where in the city should grow rooms or retail shops be allowed?

Members of the public weigh in



Planning Board chairman Jesse Belcher-Timme opened the floor to more than an hour of public discussion.

Derby, who represents Precinct 4 on the City Council, said he would challenge any claim that retail marijuana shops would jeopardize Easthampton's family-friendly status: "I just want to nip that in the bud," he said.

He expressed support for cannabis cafes, saying if a legal place is not provided for people to smoke, vape or consume edibles, that they are likely to do so in public.

Easthampton Healthy Youth Coordinator Ruth Ever was one of several to recommend care and caution as the Planning Board proceeds.

She said any action to lower the "perception of harm" would likely lead to greater marijuana use among teens. She said communities in Colorado have seen problems arising from legal cannabis and expressed confidence local officials would not imperil "our family-friendly status we're so well-known for."

Chuck McCullagh Jr., chief financial officer of the Williston Northampton School, urged "balance, caution and mindfulness" in crafting marijuana zoning so as to protect impressionable high school students.

One man said he wants to open a restaurant where cannabis will be used as a food ingredient. Another said Easthampton "has been a pot town since I was a little kid" and vouched for the integrity of local growers. A third said he supports on-site consumption, but not until an accurate field sobriety test is developed to detect impaired drivers.

"It is not a consequence-free substance," he said.

Northampton attorney Dick Evans, chairman of the successful statewide "Yes on 4" campaign, talked about how Easthampton could permit cannabis cafes.

While the law describes a ballot initiative for municipalities that wish to allow on-site consumption, Evans opined that city officials could proactively craft an ordinance, without requiring a citizen petition, to welcome such establishments in Easthampton.



"I don't see anything in the law precluding your zoning ordinance from containing a provision for on-site consumption," said Evans, who helped write the recreational marijuana statute approved by Massachusetts voters in 2016.

Under the new law hammered out by the state Legislature and signed by Baker on Friday, licenses will be available for cultivation, product manufacturing and retail, as well as for agriculture-based "craft cooperatives." The state's Cannabis Control Commission may also issue other types of licenses as they see fit.

Planning Board 8.1.17 from Easthampton Media on Vimeo.

Planning Board members begin discussion

After hearing a range of opinions, Planning Board members expressed their own preliminary thoughts.

Zarvis said he believes the city's mill industrial zone would be appropriate for growing marijuana and that Cottage Street could work well for retail and consumption establishments.

He said he would favor restrictions on signage. "It shouldn't have Cheech and Chong. It shouldn't have a big green pot leaf."

Zarvis, a public health researcher, said steps should be taken to keep marijuana away from teens. He said one credible study showed cognitive declines in young teenagers who used the substance and other studies are underway.

Zarvis said he does not support mixing marijuana with alcohol, a sentiment echoed by others.

"I agree that alcohol and marijuana should not be in the same place," said Cockshaw. "Speaking as someone who has partaken in both, simultaneously and separately, I don't think that should happen. It's dangerous."

Cockshaw remarked that any concerns about Easthampton losing its "beautiful downtown" due to the presence of cannabis shops are unfounded.

"I know when I smoked, things were a lot more beautiful," he said. "So I think it would be wonderful to sit down on that bench after I've had a brownie, and look at Mount Tom and see how beautiful, how even more gorgeous it is."

Any local ordinance would be drafted by the Planning Board and sent to the City Council for further discussion. But time is tight, as the state's Cannabis Control Commission plans to start issuing licenses to entrepreneurs in April.

Evans, a longtime activist for legalization, told The Republican he finds it encouraging that city officials and local residents are now openly discussing their past or present marijuana use.

"The taboo has been lifted," he said.

Mary Serreze can be reached at mserreze@gmail.com