Urban Affairs Committee advances marijuana zoning rewrite, sets 9-to-10 hours

MARLBOROUGH -- June 10, 2024, Marlborough Urban Affairs advances marijuana zoning rewrite despite Planning Board's negative recommendation. The committee voted 5-0 on Monday to approve Order 24-109136, an amendment filed by Assistant City Solicitor Jeremy McManus on behalf of Vice President Laura Wagner Roby, after amending dispensary hours from 10 a.m.–10 p.m. to 9 a.m.–10 p.m. for consistency across establishments. The Planning Board's June 3 letter said the city "does not perceive that there is an issue with access to marijuana products" and urged that cannabis consumption lounges be barred "under no circumstances." Councilor Michael Ossing wanted the hours section struck entirely to preserve special-permit discretion but did not move to do so. The ordinance faces an Aug. 4 statutory deadline under MGL 40A Section 5; Roby plans to push it onto the July 22 council agenda.