TOWNS WITH OPEN TOWN MEETING CONSIDERING BYLAWS 

This is an alphabetical list of towns with Open Town Meetings considering or reported to be considering bylaws.  After the name of each town is the percent of voters supporting Question 2.

If you know of others or have newer information contact: This e-mail address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it .

FOR A LIST OF TOWNS THAT HAVE ADOPTED BYLAWS CLICK HERE

If a town is crossed out the article was defeated, postponed, or not moved.

BERKLEY: (63%) (OPEN) ATM, Monday, June 1
Click on ATM for only information we have.

BREWSTER (67%) Article 21, on the Warrant for the meeting, May 4. DEFEATED

ARTICLE NO. 21: To see if the Town will vote to amend the Code of the Town of Brewster by repealing in Chapter 60 Alcoholic Beverages both Section 60-1 Consumption on highways prohibited and Section 60-2 Violations and penalties and by adding as the new Section 60-1 the following:

60-1A. Use of Alcoholic Beverages, Marihuana or Tetrahydrocannabinol. No person shall consume an alcoholic beverage as defined by General Laws Chapter 138, Section 1, as amended, or possess an opened container of such beverage, or consume marihuana or tetrahydrocannabinol as defined by General Laws Chapter 94C, Section 1 within the limits of any park, beach, playground, public building or any public land (but not including a public way) owned or under the control of the Town of Brewster nor shall any person, including any person in a motor vehicle while it is in, on or upon any public way or any way to which the public has a right of access as aforesaid, consume an alcoholic beverage, as defined in said Section 1, or consume marihuana or tetrahydrocannabinol on any public way or way to which the public has a right of access as invitees or licensees, including any person in a motor vehicle while it is in, on, or upon any public way or any way to which the public has a right of access as aforesaid, within the limits of the Town of Brewster; and no person shall consume any alcoholic beverages, or consume marihuana or  tetrahydrocannabinol as previously defined, in, on, or upon any private land or place without the consent of the owner or person in control of such private land or place. All alcoholic beverages, marihuana or tetrahydrocannabinol being used in violation of this section may be seized and held until final adjudication of the charge against any such person or persons has been made by the court. This by-law does not apply to prescribed medicines or to unaltered and unadulterated non-prescription medications. Whoever violates the provisions of this section shall be punished by a fine of two hundred ($200.00) dollars for such offense.

60-1B. A police officer taking cognizance of a violation of 60-1A, may request the offender to state his or her true name and address. An offender who refuses to state his or her true name and address or who provides a false name and address shall be punishable by a fine of $300. or to take any other action relative thereto.

(Majority Vote Required) (Police Chief)

SUMMARY

Up until January of 2009, it was illegal to possess marihuana in Massachusetts; and those who did were subject to arrest. Therefore under the previous law, law enforcement agencies had a remedy for those persons who smoked marihuana in public. Since citizens of Massachusetts voted in favor of the decriminalization of somebody who possesses less than one ounce of marihuana, there is no remedy for the public smoking of marihuana. Within the approved ballot initiative there is a provision which reads "Nothing contained herein shall prohibit a political subdivision of the Commonwealth from enacting ordinances or by-laws regulating or prohibiting the consumption of marihuana or tetrahydrocannabinol in public places and providing for additional penalties for the public use of marihuana or tetrahydrocannabinol." Because the public smoking of marihuana or hashish would be as potentially disruptive, similar to that of the public consumption of alcohol, the Police Chief is requesting that Town Meeting enact the proposed amendment to Town's Code to increase the fine for the public consumption of alcohol to $200 and to also prohibit the public consumption of marihuana or tetrahydrocannabinol or face a fine of $200. An additional provision would create a fine of $300 for failure to provide information or improper information relative to an individual's identity.

BOS: 4-YES; 0-NO; 1-ABSTAINED FCR: 7-YES; 0-NO; 0-ABSTAINED

BROOKFIELD: (68%) ATM, Friday, May 8 passed over

ARTICLE 33: To see if the Town will vote to amend the by-laws of the Town by inserting the following new section as:

13.13 Public Consumption Or Use Of Marijuana Or Tetrahydrocannabinol.
A. No person, whether in or upon a vehicle, motor vehicle, conveyance, or on foot, shall burn, smoke, ingest, or otherwise use or consume marijuana or tetrahydrocannabinol (as defined in G.L. c. 94C, § 1, as amended) while in or upon any area owned by or under the control of the Town, including but not limited to, any street, sidewalk, public way, footway, passageway, stairs, bridge, park, playground, beach, recreation area, boat landing, public building, school, school grounds, cemetery, or parking lot; or in or upon any place to which the public has a right of access as invitees or licensees.

B. Any marijuana or tetrahydrocannabinol burned, smoked, ingested, or otherwise used or consumed in violation of this bylaw shall be seized, held, and disposed of in accordance with G.L. c. 94C, § 47A.

C. Whoever is found in violation of this bylaw shall, when requested by an official authorized to enforce this bylaw, state his true name and address to said official.

D. This bylaw may be enforced through any lawful means in law or in equity including, but not limited to, enforcement by criminal indictment or complaint pursuant to G.L. c. 40, § 21, or by non-criminal disposition pursuant to G.L. c. 40, § 21D, by the Board of Selectmen, or their duly authorized agents, or any police officer.

E. The fine for a violation of this bylaw shall be three hundred dollars ($300.00) for each offense. A penalty imposed under this bylaw shall be in addition to any civil penalty imposed under G.L. c. 94C, § 32L.

Or take any action relative thereto.

CANTON: (60%) Article 32 (text below) was INDEFINITELY POSTPONED by the Annual Town Meeting held on Monday, April 27.

Article 32 To see if the Town will vote to amend Article XIV of the General By-laws by adding a new Section 55 as follows:
Section 55 Controlled Substances
§ 55.1 Prohibited Acts.
No person shall smoke, ingest, or otherwise use or consume marihuana or tetrahydrocannabinol (as defined in G.L. c. 94C, § 1, as amended) while in or upon any street, sidewalk, public way, footway, passageway stairs, bridge, park, playground, beach, recreation area, boat landing, public building, schoolhouse, school grounds, cemetery, parking lot, or any area owned by or under the control of the Town; or in or upon any bus or other passenger conveyance operated by a common carrier; or in any place accessible to the public.
B. No person shall smoke or consume in any manner, any controlled substance as defined in Massachusetts General Law Chapter 94C upon any private land or place without the consent of the owner or person in control of such land.
§ 55.2 Enforcement.
This Article VI may be enforced through any lawful means in law or in equity including, but not limited to, enforcement by criminal indictment or complaint pursuant to G.L. c. 40 § 21, or by noncriminal disposition pursuant to G.L. c. 40, § 21D, by the Board of Selectmen, the Town Administrator, or their duly authorized agents, or any police officer. The fine for violation of this by-law shall be three hundred dollars ($300) for each offense. Any penalty imposed under this by-law shall be in addition to any civil penalty imposed under G.L. c. 94C, § 32L.
§ 55.3 Seizure of Controlled Substances.
All controlled substances being used in violation of this article may be seized and held until final adjudication in court whereupon they will be destroyed by the Police Department.

CARLISLE: (70%) on Warrant for meeting May 4 passed over

ARTICLE 32 - Public Consumption of Marijuana and Tetrahydrocannabinol General Bylaw: To see if the Town will vote to amend the Town of Carlisle General Bylaws

ARTICLE XIV MISCELLANEOUS by adding the following new Section 14.9:

14.9 Public Consumption of Marijuana or Tetrahydrocannabinol

14.9.1 No person shall smoke, ingest, or otherwise use or consume marijuana or tetrahydrocannabinol (as defined in G.L. c. 94C, Sec. 1, as amended) while in or upon any street, sidewalk, public way, footway, passageway, stairs, bridge, park, playground, beach, recreation area, boat landing, public building, schoolhouse, school grounds, cemetery, parking lot, or any area owned by or under the control of the Town; or in or upon any bus or other passenger conveyance operated by a common carrier; or in any place accessible to the public.

14.9.2 This Bylaw may be enforced through any lawful means in law or in equity including, but not limited to, enforcement by criminal indictment or complaint pursuant to G.L. c. 40, Sec. 21D, by the Board of Selectmen, the Town Administrator, or their duly authorized agents, or any police officer. The fine for violation of this Bylaw shall be three hundred dollars ($300) for each offense. Any penalty imposed under this Bylaw shall be in addition to any civil penalty imposed under G.L. c. 94C, Sec. 32L.
or take any other action related thereto. (BOARD OF SELECTMEN)

CONCORD: (69%) Was on warrant but NO MOTION WAS MADE.

MARIJUANA BYLAW

ARTICLE 54. To determine whether the Town will vote to amend the General Bylaws by inserting the following new section:

No person shall use marijuana, or possess marijuana, as defined in Chapter 94C, Section1 of the Massachusetts General Laws and Acts, while in or upon any public way or any way to which the public has a right of access, whether in or upon a vehicle, or on foot, or while in or upon any public place or public building or playground, or while in or upon a private parking lot, or a private way to which the public has access as invitees or licensees, or in or upon any private land or place. Persons found violating this bylaw and in possession of less than one ounce of marijuana shall be subject to a fine in accordance with Appendix A the Non-Criminal Disposition Bylaw. All marijuana being used or possessed in violation of this bylaw shall be seized and safely held until final outcome of the non-criminal disposition.

AMENDMENT TO NON-CRIMINAL DISPOSITION OF VIOLATIONS OF TOWN BYLAWS - APPENDIX A

ARTICLE 55. To determine whether the Town will vote to amend the Town Bylaw providing for the Non-Criminal Disposition of Violations of Town Bylaws adopted at the 1984 Town Meeting by adding the following section to Appendix A of Regulations for the Enforcement of Town Bylaws Under the "Non-Criminal Disposition of Violations of Town Bylaws",

Bylaw: Rules and Regulations Enforced by the Marijuana Bylaw
Fine Schedule: 1st offense and each successive offense
Fine Allowed $100.00
Enforcement Agent: Police Department

HINGHAM: (61%) Open Town Meeting April 27 NO ACTION

ARTICLE 40. Will the Town amend the General By-laws of the Town adopted March 13, 1939 as heretofore amended, at Article 10 by deleting in its entirety Section 30A and inserting in its place the following:

"30A No person shall consume an alcoholic beverage as defined by General Laws Chapter 138, Section 1, as amended, or possess an opened container of such beverage, or consume marihuana or tetrahydrocannabinol as defined by General Laws Chapter 94C, Section 1, as amended, within the limits of any park, playground, public building, or any public land (but not including a public way) owned or under the control of the Town of Hingham nor shall any person consume an alcoholic beverage or consume marihuana or tetrahydrocannabinol as previously defined in, on or upon any public way or way to which the public has a right of access as invitees or licensees, including any person in a motor vehicle while it is in, on, or upon any public way or any way to which the public has a right of access as aforesaid, within the limits of the Town of Hingham. Any person who violates this section, as it pertains to alcohol only, and is unknown or whose identity cannot be ascertained may be arrested by a police officer without a warrant. All alcoholic beverages, marihuana or tetrahydrocannabinol being used in violation of this section may be seized and held until final adjudication of the charge against any such person or persons has been made by the court. Whoever violates the provisions of this section as it pertains to alcoholic beverages shall be punished by a fine not exceeding Two Hundred (200) dollars for such offense. Whoever violates the provisions of this section as it pertains to marihuana or tetrahydrocannabinol shall be punished by a fine not to exceed three hundred (300) dollars."

or act on anything relating thereto?

COMMENT: The Town By-law contained in Article 10, Section 30A, prohibits the public consumption of alcohol. In November of 2008, Massachusetts voters approved Ballot Question 2, comprised of five sections, entitled "An Act Establishing A Sensible State Marihuana Policy". The new law replaced the criminal penalties for possession of one ounce or less of marihuana with a new system of civil penalties, to be enforced by issuing citations, and excludes information regarding this civil offense from the state's criminal record information system. The new law defines possession of one ounce or less of marihuana as including possession of one ounce or less of tetrahydrocannibinol ("THC"), or having metabolized products of marihuana or THC in one's body. The new law allows local ordinances or bylaws that prohibit the public use of marihuana. This warrant article amends Article 10 Public Ways - Common Lands, Section 30A to include prohibition of public consumption of marihuana or tetrahydrocannabinol as defined by General Laws Chapter 94C, Section 1 and imposes a fine not to exceed three hundred (300) dollars."

RECOMMENDED: That the Town amend the General By-laws of the of the Town adopted March 13, 1939, as heretofore amended, at Article 10 by renaming the title of Section 30A to "Drinking alcoholic beverages and/or consuming marihuana or tetrahydrocannabinol on public way" and by deleting in its entirety Section 30A and inserting in its place the following:

"30A No person shall consume an alcoholic beverage as defined by General Laws Chapter 138, Section 1, as amended, or possess an opened container of such beverage, or consume marihuana or tetrahydrocannabinol as defined by General Laws Chapter 94C, Section 1, as amended, within the limits of any park, playground, public building, or any public land (but not including a public way) owned or under the control of the Town of Hingham nor shall any person consume an alcoholic beverage or consume marihuana or tetrahydrocannabinol as previously defined in, on or upon any public way or way to which the public has a right of access as invitees or licensees, including any person in a motor vehicle while it is in, on, or upon any public way or any way to which the public has a right of access as aforesaid, within the limits of the Town of Hingham. Any person who violates this section, as it pertains to alcohol only, and is unknown or whose identity cannot be ascertained may be arrested by a police officer without a warrant. All alcoholic beverages, marihuana or tetrahydrocannabinol being used in violation of this section may be seized and held until final adjudication of the charge against any such person or persons has been made by the court. Whoever violates the provisions of this section as it pertains to alcoholic beverages shall be punished by a fine not exceeding Two Hundred (200) dollars for such offense. Whoever violates the provisions of this section as it pertains to marihuana or tetrahydrocannabinol shall be punished by a fine not to exceed three hundred (300) dollars."

IPSWICH: (66%) The police chief's proposed bylaw was rejected by Town Meeting on June 1

ARTICLE 19 PUBLIC CONSUMPTION OF MARIJUANA
To see if the Town will vote to amend the General Bylaw, Chapter XV, MISCELLANEOUS PROVISIONS FOR PUBLIC ORDER AND SAFETY, Section 1, Disorderly Behavior, with the following subsection (d) to read:
No personal shall smoke, ingest or otherwise use or consume marijuana or tetrahydrocannabinol (as defined in G.L. c. 94C, § 1, as amended) while in or upon any street, sidewalk, public way, footway, passageway, stairs, bridge, park, playground, beach, recreation area, boat landing, public building, schoolhouse, school grounds, cemetery, parking lot, or any area owned by or under the control of the Town of Ipswich; or in or upon any bus or other passenger conveyance operated by a common carrier; or in any place accessible to the public. The penalty for violations shall be as follows: 1st Offense -- $100.00 2nd Offense - $200.00 3rd and Subsequent Offense -- $300.00
or to take any other action relative thereto. (Requested by the Chief of Police)

LANCASTER: (64%) ATM, Monday, May 4, DEFEATED
Public Consumption of Marijuana or Tetrahydrocannabinol
No person shall smoke, ingest, or otherwise use or consume marijuana or tetrahydrocannabinol (as defined by G.L. c. 94C Section 1, as amended) while in or upon any street, sidewalk, public way, footway, passageway, stairs, bridge, park, playground, beach, recreation area, boat landing, public building, school house, school grounds, cemetery, parking lot, or any area owned by or under the control of the Town; or in or upon any bus or other passenger conveyance operated by a common carrier; or in any place accessible to the public.
This by-law may be enforced through noncriminal disposition pursuant to G.L. c. 40, Section 21D by the Board of Selectmen, Town Administrator, or their duly authorized agents, or any police officer.  The fine for violation of this by-law shall be three hundred dollars ($300.00) for each offense.  Any penalty imposed under this by-law shall be in addition to any civil penalty imposed under G.L. c. 94C, Section 32L.

LANESBOROUGH: (59%) Article 18 on ATM Warrant, Tuesday, May 12 provides only for Criminal enforcment!

ARTICLE 18. To see if the Town will vote to adopt the following bylaw:
PUBLIC CONSUMPTION OF MARIJUANA OR TETRAHYDROCANNABINOL
No person shall smoke, ingest, or otherwise use or consume marijuana or tetrahydrocannabinol (as defined in G.L. c. 94C, sec. 1, as amended) while in or upon any area or building owned by or under the control of the Town; or in or upon any bus or other passenger conveyance operated by a common carrier; or in any place accessible to the public.
This ByLaw may be enforced by a complaint pursuant to M.G.L. Ch. 40, Sec. 21, by the Board of Selectmen, their duly authorized agents, or by any police officer.
The fine for violation of this bylaw shall be three hundred dollars ($300.00) for each offense. Any penalty imposed under this bylaw shall be in addition to any
civil penalty imposed under M.G.L. Ch. 94C, sec. 32L.
(No Action by the Finance Committee)  

MANCHESTER: (68%) Town meeting punted to the Board of Health at April 6 ATM Warrant, it may also be placed on ballot for May 19 election (See News story).

Now Board of Health members need to be contacted and letters sent to the board as well as to the Selectmen insisting no change is needed or to put it to the entire electorate!

ARTICLE 14. To see if the Town will vote to amend the General Bylaw, Article XX, Police and Other Regulations, by adding a new section 39, to read as follows:

PUBLIC CONSUMPTION OF MARIJUANA OR TETRAHYDROCANNABINOL

(1) No personal shall smoke, ingest, or otherwise use or consume marijuana or tetrahydrocannabinol (as defined in G.L. c. 94C, § 1, as amended) while in or upon any street, sidewalk, public way, footway, passageway, stairs, bridge, park, playground, beach, recreation area, boat landing, public building, schoolhouse, school grounds, cemetery, parking lot, or any area owned by or under the control of the Town; or in or upon any bus or other passenger conveyance operated by a common carrier; or in any place accessible to the public.

(2) Any person smoking, ingesting or otherwise using or consuming marijuana or tetrahydrocannabinol in violation of Section 1 of this bylaw shall provide to a police officer so requesting personal identifying information, including their full legal name and address. Failure to provide such identifying information upon request, or provision of false, incorrect or otherwise invalid identifying information shall be considered a separate violation of this bylaw.

(3) This by-law may be enforced through any lawful means in law or in equity including, but not limited to, enforcement by criminal indictment or complaint pursuant to G.L. c. 40, § 21, or by non-criminal disposition pursuant to G.L. c. 40, § 21D by the Board of Selectmen, the Town Administrator, or their duly authorized agents, or any police officer. The fine for violation of this by-law shall be three hundred dollars ($300) for each offense. Any penalty imposed under this by-law shall be in addition to any civil penalty imposed under G.L. c. 94C, § 32L;

or take any other action relative thereto.

Per petition of the Chief of Police

THE FINANCE COMMITTEE DOES NOT TAKE A POSITION.

The Board of Selectmen recommends approval.

MANSFIELD: (63%) (Open) (ATM), Tuesday, May 19

Article 16

To see if the Town will vote to establish a bylaw relative to the public consumption and/or possession of any amount of Marijuana or Tetrahydrocannabinol (as defined in M.G.L. Chapter 94C, Section 1) less than one ounce.

Section XV - Possession/Consumption of Marijuana

XV-1 No person shall smoke, ingest, or otherwise use or consume Marijuana or Tetrahydrocannabinol (as defined in G.L. Chapter 94C, Section 1, as amended) while in or upon any public place or any place to which the public has a right of access including, but not limited to public ways, private ways, sidewalks, parking lots, parks and commons, playgrounds, recreation areas, beaches, boat landings, cemeteries, municipal buildings and schools and grounds or athletic fields appurtenant thereto, or premises licensed by the Town, and including any motor vehicle or bicycle or other passenger conveyance operated by a common carrier, when parked or moving upon any of the above places or locations.

XV-2 For the purpose of this by-law, Marijuana shall be any substance so defined by General Laws Chapter 94C, Section 1, as amended.

XV-3 The enforcing person shall make a record of the incident, such record to include the following information (to the extent that it is available), name and address of the person violating the ordinance; name and address of landlord, if applicable; date; time; motor vehicle registration number, if applicable; and location of the violation.

XV-4 This by-law may be enforced through any lawful means in law or in equity including, but not limited to enforcement by criminal indictment or complaint pursuant to G.L. Chapter 40, Section 21, or by non-criminal disposition pursuant to G.L. Chapter 40, Section 21D, by any police officer. Any person found to be in violation of this by-law, or who refuses to give the above-noted information or if any information proves false, shall be liable to a fine of three hundred dollars ($300.00) for each such violation. Any penalty imposed under this by-law shall be in addition to any civil penalty imposed under G.L. Chapter 94C, Section 32L.

SPONSOR: Board of Selectmen

NEW MARLBOROUGH:  (68%) (Open) ATM, Monday, May 4 APPROVED
Berkshire Eagle news story is only information available.

NORFOLK: (66%) Selectmen placed Article 70 on warrant for the ATM on Tuesday and Wednesday, May 12 and 13.  Norfolk residents please attend the meeting and Just Say NO to:

NORFOLK: ARTICLE 70                                                     Submitted by the Bylaw Committee

To see if the Town will vote to Amend the Town of Norfolk Bylaws, Article 10, by adding a new Section 37, as follows; or take any other action relative thereto:

 PUBLIC CONSUMPTION OF MARIJUANA OR TETRAHYDROCANNABINOL

 § 1     Prohibition on Use

 A.      Not in a Motor Vehicle: No person shall smoke, ingest, or otherwise use or consume marijuana or tetrahydrocannabinol (as defined in G.L. c. 94C, §1) while in or upon any public building, vehicle controlled by the Town, recreational area, playground, park, beach, boat landing or launch, schoolhouse, school grounds, street, sidewalk, public way, passageway, bridge, stairs, parking lot, cemetery, bus stop, or any area or property owned or  under the control of the Town, or any area accessible to the public.  

 B.      In a Motor Vehicle: The consumption of marijuana or tetrahydrocannabinol is also prohibited in any motor vehicle in or on a public way whether or not the user is operating the vehicle or whether the vehicle is in operation at all.  

 § 2     Violations and Penalties

Whoever violates this bylaw shall be punished by a fine not exceeding $100.00 for the first offense, $200.00 for the second offense and $300.00 for each subsequent offense.  Any penalty imposed under this bylaw shall be in addition to any civil penalty imposed under G.L. c. 94C, §32L.  If a violator fails to pay the fine issued, he or she may be subject to civil contempt proceedings.

 § 3     Enforcement

Violations of any provision of this bylaw may be processed pursuant to Chapter 40, section 21 D of the General Laws of the Commonwealth and shall be in amount set forth above.  Enforcement of this bylaw under the Non-Criminal Disposition process shall be carried out by the Police Chief, and duly sworn Police Officers who shall have full enforcement powers

ROCKLAND: (62%) (Open) ATM, Monday, May 4, DEFEATED.

ARTICLE #45
PROPOSED BY - LAW
PUBLIC CONSUMPTION OF MARIJUANA OR TETRAHYDROCANNABINOL

No person shall smoke, ingest, or otherwise use or consume marijuana or tetrahydrocannabinol (as defined in G.L. c. 94C, s. 1, as amended) while in or upon any street, sidewalk, public way, footway, passageway, stairs, bridge, park, playground, beach, recreation area, boat landing, public building, schoolhouse, school grounds, cemetery, parking lot, or any area owned by or under the control of the town; or in or upon any bus or other passenger conveyance operated by a common carrier; or in any place accessible to the public.

This by-law may be enforced through any lawful means in law or in equity including, but not limited to, enforcement by criminal indictment or complaint pursuant to G.L. c.40 s. 21.or by noncriminal disposition pursuant to G.L. c. 40, s. 21D, by their duly authorized agents, or any police officer. The fine for violation of this by-law shall be three hundred dollars ($300) for each offense. Any penalty imposed under this by-law shall be in addition to any civil penalty imposed under G.L. c. 94C, s. 32L.
POLICE DEPARTMENT
Finance Committee Recommendation at Town Meeting

SUNDERLAND: (74%) (Open) ATM Continued to June 12

ARTICLE 24:  To see if the Town will vote to amend the Code of the Town of Sunderland Bylaws, by inserting in Chapter 89, the following new bylaw, §89-5.  Public Consumption of Marijuana or Tetrahydrocannabinol:

No person shall smoke, ingest, or otherwise use or consume marijuana or tetrahydrocannabinol (as defined in M.G.L. c. 94C, § 1, as amended) while in or upon any street, sidewalk, public way, footway, passageway, stairs, bridge, park, playground, beach, recreation area, boat landing, public building, schoolhouse, school grounds, cemetery, parking lot, or any area owned by or under the control of the town; or in or upon any bus or other passenger conveyance operated by a common carrier; or in any place accessible to the public. 

This bylaw may be enforced through any lawful means including, but not limited to, enforcement by criminal indictment or complaint pursuant to M.G.L. Chapter 40, Section 21, or by noncriminal disposition pursuant to M.G.L. Chapter 40, Section 21D, by the Board of Selectmen, their duly authorized agents, or any police officer. The fine for violation of this bylaw shall be one hundred dollars ($100.00) for the first offense, two hundred dollars ($200.00) for the second offense and three hundred dollars ($300.00) for a third or subsequent offense. Any penalty imposed under this by-law shall be in addition to any civil penalty imposed under M.G.L. c. 94C, § 32L.

Or take any vote or votes in relation thereto. 

Majority Vote -G.L. c. 40, §§21, 21D
SUBMITTED BY: Police Chief

TRURO: (78%) Amazingly the police chief convinced the Selectmen to put it on the ATM Warrant as Article 22 for the Tuesday, April 28 ATM but by a vote of 2 - 3 refused to recommend its passage!  INDEFINITELY POSTPONED

ARTICLE TWENTY-TWO: ADOPT A GENERAL BYLAW PROHIBITING THE USE OF MARIJUANA OR TETRAHYDROCANNABINOL

To see if the Town will vote to amend its General Bylaws by adding the following as Chapter IV, Public Safety, Section 8, subsections 4-8-1 and 4-8-2:

Section 8 Marijuana and Tetrahydrocannabinol Use Prohibition

4-8-1 No person shall smoke, ingest, or otherwise use or consume marijuana or tetrahydrocannabinol (as defined in G.L.c.94C, Section 1, as amended) while in or about any public beach, recreation area, boat landing, public building, schoolhouse, school grounds, cemetery, parking lot, or any area owned by or under the control of the Town of Truro; or in or upon any bus or passenger conveyance operated by a common carrier; or in any place accessible to the public.

4-8-2 This bylaw may be enforced through any lawful. means in law or in equity including but not limited to, enforcement by criminal complaint pursuant to G.L. c. 40, section 21D* by the Board of Selectmen, the Town Administrator, or their duly authorized agents, or any police officer. The fine for violation of the by-law shall be Three Hundred Dollars ($300.00) for each offence. Any penalty imposed under this by-law shall be in addition to any civil penalty imposed under G.L. c. 94C, section 32L.