By Carol Britton Meyer

After last month’s town meeting overwhelmingly approved the sale of recreational marijuana in Hull, what happens next remains unclear.

Select board member Irwin Nesoff asked for clarification of the process this week, which requires state Attorney General approval of the changes to the town’s zoning and general bylaws approved by voters, crafting a Host Community Agreement between the marijuana business and the town, and reviewing new Massachusetts Cannabis Control Commission procedures, among other considerations. The AG has 90 days to act on the bylaw changes.

While the Alternative Compassion Services medical marijuana facility on George Washington Boulevard advocated for the warrant article at the special town meeting, any similar business could now apply for a recreational marijuana license with the town, according to Town Counsel James Lampke. 

“The right to submit an application is not guaranteed or reserved for any existing establishment or any possible other party,” he said, adding, “ACS is the logical applicant. We’re not the biggest community for marijuana sales. While it might make sense for ACS to expand to retail sales, it’s up to them to apply for it.”

In the meantime, it’s not too early to start the process, according to Lampke. This could include the select board reviewing a draft HCA recently submitted by ACS following the special town meeting vote, and reviewing the town’s current rules and regulations.

Select board member Brian McCarthy noted that the draft document “is actually a template of their agreement with Bridgewater,” where ACS’s main operation is based.

“It’s their right to submit an application, but we haven’t started the process yet,” Lampke said.

At the same time, Town Manager Jennifer Constable said it’s “not the town’s responsibility to reach out to a business” about applying.

Lampke also said the town is researching how other communities have handled requests from existing medical marijuana facilities to expand to include retail sales.

The issuance of any license to sell recreational marijuana is contingent on select board, planning board, and CCC approval and the crafting and approval of a HCA and would follow a public process.

“I think we have an obligation to move forward on this,” Nesoff said. “The statement of the town was pretty clear.”

Constable, however, urged the board to consider what the most important priorities should be regarding placement on agendas for future meetings. Chair Greg Grey suggested board members review existing documents and to be prepared to address the issue at an upcoming meeting.

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