Published: 5/7/2023 1:26:01 PM
WHATELY — The Planning Board opted to take no stance on a limited marijuana manufacturing land-use bylaw proposed by Debilitating Medical Condition Treatment Centers (DMCTC), a marijuana cultivator, manufacturer and soon-to-be retailer in town.
The business’ bylaw, which will come before voters at May 23’s Annual Town Meeting, proposes the creation of a “(Limited) Marijuana Product Manufacturer” land use to allow production of marijuana products without the use of hazardous materials.
Chris Chamberland, a civil engineer with Berkshire Design Group who presented the bylaw on DMCTC’s behalf, explained the land use would be allowed by special permit in the Commercial, Commercial/Industrial and Industrial zones, and would create additional economic opportunities for businesses in town.
“This is a way these sort of low-barrier-to-entry commercial activities around this industry can be potentially added on to existing commercial spaces,” Chamberland said. “This is, we feel, a relatively modest change to zoning that proposes an increase to business and economic activities that will be available in the commercial zone.”
DMCTC operates a cultivation and manufacturing facility on River Road and is in the process of opening a retail dispensary at the former Sugarloaf Shoppes at the intersection of Routes 5, 10 and 116. Chamberland said DMCTC and any other business looking to get into small-scale…
