PEABODY — In the wake of last November’s rejection of recreational marijuana sales, Mayor Ted Bettencourt is seeking a ban on pot sales in the city.
Unlike the law for medical marijuana that does not allow communities to prohibit sales, there’s a provision for local control of non-medical pot.
In a letter to the City Council on Friday that was first reported by the Salem News, the mayor is asking for a citywide vote to be held that would ban retail marijuana shops.
“While a majority of Massachusetts voters approved the initiative, Peabody voters opposed it by a significant margin,” Bettencourt wrote. “There are a great many unanswered questions regarding implementation of the new law and its effect on public safety. As city leaders, we must confront this issue in a manner which respects the apprehensions of so many of our fellow citizens.”
Bay State voters overwhelmingly supported Question 4 last fall 54 to 46 percent. But in Peabody, the measure was defeated by a 2,203 vote margin.
The mayor and City Council President Joel Saslaw did not return calls seeking comment.
Bettencourt is no fan of pot sales. Four years ago, he sought to ban medical marijuana from the city’s borders. But the Attorney General Office’s has told municipalities that they cannot ban such sales.
Peabody is not the only community seeking to outlaw sales of recreational marijuana.
Last month, the Lynnfield Board of Selectmen voted to include a referendum question preventing its sale on the next town election ballot that will be presented at the April Town Meeting.
The majority of the town voted against Question 4. In November, 2,940 votes were cast in favor of legalization versus the 4,427 votes against it. according to the Town Clerk’s website.
