MILFORD – Both sides of the upcoming local recreational marijuana vote made their case at Draper Memorial Park Saturday morning.
Representatives from the Citizens for Responsible Cannabis Retail Sales and Milford CARES (Community Against Recreational Marijuana Retail Establishments) held signs and waved at passing cars as a way to support their beliefs. Around 20 or so people total were present at the competing mid-morning rallies.
The demonstrations come before a Sept. 19 vote, in which the town will decide if recreational marijuana dispensaries should be prohibited in Milford. In a statewide referendum last November, 51.9 percent of Milford voters approved the legalization of recreational marijuana. The margin of victory was 500 votes.
The new law allows cities and towns to opt out and ban recreational sales and Milford selectmen want to take advantage of that law.
Donna Niro, chairwoman of Milford CARES, said Saturday’s rally was the start of the group’s campaigning.
“Today marks one month ahead of the vote, and we decided it was time to kick off.”
The group’s intention was to maintain the health, safety and integrity of the Milford community, Niro said.
Demonstrator Jerry Messenger said he opposed having marijuana retail in town, but said he was for medical marijuana if it helps people. He criticized the way the ballot question was phrased, as a “yes” vote would ban the stores.
“I think there’s going to be some confusion during the vote, with the way the ballot is written,” he said, adding people could be unsure a “yes” vote would be in favor of marijuana stores.
John Seaver, demonstrating with Milford CARES, said he did not wish to see Milford become a destination for those seeking recreational marijuana.
Glen Wiech, demonstrating against the ban, noted the town voted in favor of the recreational marijuana ballot initiative in 2016, and said he saw a safety component that comes with legalizing retail sales.
“We’ve had a black market here forever, and people have gotten marijuana through that. With the advent of things like fentanyl-laced drugs, you can’t rely (on safety of the black market product).”
A regulated market would be a better way to ensure the safety of marijuana products, Wiech said.
One demonstrator, who declined to give his name, said he felt a cultural taboo against marijuana had dissuaded people from giving their opinions publicly. He said that was the reason why pro-ban demonstrators outnumbered those rallying against the ban, despite the legalization initiative passing locally.
If the referendum fails and voters uphold the ability for marijuana stores to open in Milford, pot shops will be limited to main commercial and industrial plazas in town, but would be subject to setbacks similar to that of the town’s medical marijuana zoning.
credit:milford.wickedlocal.com