Good. Lets keep them out of NR all together.

Just ban them from town. Other towns have done it.

I agree. Ban them

Ban them now, before we are not able to.

Why are we banning something that would bring tax revenue to the town? Are we worried that route 28 might gain a thriving business? Golly, you'd think they were OSJL or something.

Wow..You know who the smokers here are by their posts ^ cough cough...lol...Ban them now...No tax revenue is ever wort a bunch of dregs coming to get their weed for their fake disabilities that keep them home stoned, unmotivated, and sucking off the Gov Tit.....

I agree with the others. why should we be the town that supplies to all the other towns who won't have the dispenseries in their towns. Don't want them here.

I cant imagine any half decent town wanting this, and what it will bring.

Dispensaries are like package stores. They're both selling government regulated drugs for a profit. If we're going to ban dispensaries, let's ban the package stores too!

What's next.....an Oxy shack at Izzy's clothing stand....Come on John....How about getting business by bringing some attractive stores to town....

These are legal Medical Marijuana dispensaries we are talking about here right? . I do not understand what all the fuss iabout. Granny already has enough problems dealing with her chemotherapy and glaucoma without her having to drive out of town to get her Dr. prescribed medication. It would be great to see some vacant storefronts filled on Rt. 28.

Yeah because it's granny hitting those places...Are you kidding me??/ I'll tell you who will be there, and running them..The Occupy Movement.....Let them go somewhere else..While Marijuana isn't the worst thing in the world, Marijuana, and the smoke alone will cause just as many health problems...Anyone who says it does truly doesn't know the facts...We have enough dead wood running around this town..let's not make it worse

Alcohol is linked to 25,000+ U.S. deaths a year.. yet we sell it on every corner......Marijuana deaths per year? Zero.

If you didn't want medical marijuana to pass you should have got out and voted

http://www.drugwarfacts.org/cms/Causes_of_Death#sthash.eR9llNPA.y4PLsDhp.dpbs

Hey John, could you provide us with your home address so we can propose a nice little dispensary next door to you? Think about it, all the little old grandmothers with glaucoma pulling up your street to fill their prescriptions. Just like a scene from Norman Rockwell. A picture worth a thousand words to see you on your front porch waving to all the patients picking up their scripts. Think of all the tax increased tax revenue for the town! Oh I bet you would be so proud you supported this initiative as your property values skyrocket!
Also think of all the gas you would save on that motorcycle, all you would have to do is walk next door to fill your script for being COMPLETLEY SHORT SIGHTED !!!!!

Maybe I should just let this debate die, but.... today's Boston Globe article might add some reason to the discussion. I'm thinking that maybe the North Reading CPC should create a Medical Marijuana Business Incubator site at the old Stop & Shop. Looks like it could prop up the entire local economy.

http://www.boston.com/business/news/2013/03/07/medicial-marijuana-businesses-look-massachusetts-for-growth-opportunities/5Fsc0WLROYBpQMBunPiuBK/story.html

Intorcio,by law, the marijuana dispensaries must be non-profit, another "fact" you got wrong. Pretty sure there is no tax revenue with a non-profit. And by the way, I agree with Frank, you and Stimpson seem to be the only ones supporting these dispensaries so let's ask the CPC to zone these next door to you. No one else will see them because no one will visit you anyway.

KP, do you think that the people that are "prescribed" this marijuana will not drive under the influence? No one thought Oxycontin would be abused either. Ask a family that has to live with that addiction the rest of their lives.

To set the record straight, pharmacies refuse to dispense marijuana, and most legitimate Doctors won't either, that's why the law had to designate dispensaries. All you need to be is 21 years old to run one, no medical background or degree needed.

Google marijuana laws in California, Colorado and Oregon. Those states wish they could do it all over again. Thank you to the Town for putting the wheels in motion to keep these havens for illicit activity out of our town. John and Stimpson, we'll let you know which town welcomes them in. I'll hire the moving van for you.

Nice rant Matt. Did you read the referenced Globe article? Have you seem how much "non-profit" hospitals are making these days? Check your facts.

John, Matt was not ranting. Bad example John. Google do Hospitials pay taxes. The article says non profit hospitials do not pay taxes. They are allowed to make money but they do not pay taxes on it or their property.

Not debating how much the 21 year old will make. Most likely will get very wealthy. Most of what they take in will be distributed in high salaries. What about the revenue you said these dispensaries will bring to the town? No sales tax, no real estate tax, nothing for the town. And we benefit how? Oh yeah, the town will get to clean up the mess it will create.

You qoute an "MPP" article. Do you know who they are and what they represent? Their organization and the article is slanted toward legalizing marijuana. It's not fact based it's their push for full legalization. The law passed by our Commonwealth did not legalize marijuana. It made it legal to be prescribed for serious medical conditions, same as what Oxycontin was original prescribed for. We all know how that turned out.

Joe - They also pay their CEOs in the millions, employ hundreds, and spawn support businesses that surround them - restaurants and stores. Wouldn't that be horrible?

Matt - Nice re-rant. Did you read the referenced Globe article? Have you seen how much "non-profit" hospitals are making these days? Check your facts.

Look, we can be as selective as we want on business that come to North Reading. We drive out OSJL, we drive out "new" business like the dispensaries... What do we end up with? Vacant supermarkets, crumbling towing shops, abandoned storefronts. Yah, that's working really well for us.

John, I never said they do not make money. I said they do not pay taxes as a non-profit. Totally different subject and you know it.
The second paragraph in Matts post above brings out a good point. Do you have any comment on that?

All those opposing the dispensary are the same who cheer when a new bar or liquor store is opened...alcohol has absolutely no health benefits and causes a myriad of medical and societal problems... When was the last time you heard of a guy smoking a joint and going home to beat the wife and kids? Get off your high horses and do some research on the ways in which patients can benefit from its use and then see if you can find any info on the positive benefits of alcohol consumption.

The statements made here opposing marijuana for any reason shows just how the government has taught ignorance.

I have to ask, is there an age restriction on buying thera flu, mouth wash or any other over the counter medication that can produce a "buzz"??

Why not look at those as well.

You want to protect the "Children",,, don't do a half a#@ job!
Ban cigarettes, alcohol and anything else that a youth might catch a buzz on,, Don't forget cafine!