Somerville Mayor Wants to Delay Dispensaries

Somerville mayor Joseph Curtatone has proposed a one-year moratorium on medical marijuana dispensaries, till July 1, 2014, while the city reviews the new law and considers changes to its zoning regulations. His request will be considered by the city’s Board of Aldermen and Planning Board. There is likely to be a public hearing, so far unscheduled. State Attorney General Martha Coakley has ruled that cities and towns can’t totally ban dispensaries forever, but so far it appears that municipalities can legally delay as long as they like.