How Much Is Too Much? - Editorial
Yet another article has been put forth for November’s Special Town Meeting warrant regarding the allowance of marijuana establishments in town. This brings the total number of marijuana-related articles to three. It is starting to feel like overkill, and confusion abounds.
Discussions regarding this most-recent article, which seeks to reinforce Bourne’s ban on marijuana through a zoning bylaw, touched on whether these three articles will confuse voters in November. We would be surprised if voters are not.
It is unclear as of now whether the newest citizens petition to bolster the ban would cancel out the article seeking to rescind the ban, or vice versa. Advice from town counsel is greatly needed on this. Residents need clarity ahead of November 6; without it, they may find themselves voting on the same topics come May’s Annual Town Meeting.
Bourne has voted on marijuana more than a handful of times, and this upcoming vote will hopefully be the last time. Judging by the last vote in May—which was one vote short of overturning the town-wide ban on marijuana—it seems that attitudes on marijuana may be shifting. If Bourne is going to legalize marijuana sales, it is high time to do so.
It is time that the issue is laid to rest, whatever the will of the voters is.