By THOR JOURGENSEN
LYNN — City Councilors Tuesday night will continue to debate and hear residents’ views on where medical marijuana dispensaries should be located.
But the clock is ticking on a deadline for approving a location policy for the pot outlets.
State law mandates local action on selected sites within 90 days of the first local hearing on dispensary regulations.
City attorney James Lamanna said the council should vote on a ordinance by August 3 in order to reduce the chance of a lawsuit by dispensary owners.
Massachusetts residents voted to legalize medical marijuana in 2012. The council responded to the ordinance’ passage by setting strict limits on where dispensaries could set up shop in the city. Inquiries by dispensary operators to locate in Lynn prompted city lawyers to recommend review and revisions of the ordinance.
“The state Attorney General has consistently ruled that any ordinance that is, in effect, a complete ban, is unlawful,” Lamanna said.
In response, councilors drafted an ordinance allowing dispensaries to open on the Lynnway near Commercial Street and on Western Avenue near the General Edwards Bridge.
Councilors have held public hearings on the ordinance, including one on May 24, visited dispensaries, and heard city residents’ views on where clinics should go. But questions about where to put dispensaries remain.
“Why is Ward 6 being picked to provide marijuana?” Walden Street resident George Essery asked during the May 24 council hearing.
Ward 6 Councilor Peter Capano said the Western Avenue and Lynnfield Street proposed dispensary sites are “very close to neighborhoods or in neighborhoods.”
Ward 3 Councilor Darren Cyr said councilors should narrow dispensary sites to three or four locations as they craft the ordinance.
“The reality is that no matter where you put it, it’s going to be somewhere,” Cyr said.
Council President and state Rep. Dan Cahill (D-Lynn) said the council discussion on dispensaries could see the siting list “expand or contract” during Tuesday night’s discussion.
He said top priorities for recrafting the medical marijuana ordinance are public safety, economic enhancement and patient access.
“We want to put forth the best policy benefiting Lynn in the long term,” Cahill said.
Police Chief Kevin Coppinger on May 24 said his counterparts in Lowell and other communities have had “no major issues” with crime at dispensaries. Coppinger is looking ahead to November when voters will be asked to legalize marijuana.
“What I’m looking for is security,” he said.
The ordinance under review by councilors references security in its provision allowing Lynn mayors to negotiate a “host agreement” with a dispensary. The ordinance provides money from the agreement to the police and fire departments and a $20,000 raise for city Inspectional Services Director Michael Donovan.
Donovan asked the council for an $18,000 increase in his $124,000 base pay in February. But the council has yet to act. Combined with other city benefits, he earns $153,000.
Thor Jourgensen can be reached at [email protected]
