The Town Council has passed a moratorium banning retail marijuana establishments in the town of Winthrop. They also set a date to vote on whether or not such a business could open in town.
The moratorium has been extended to Dec. 31, 2019 and the actual vote on the topic will take place Nov. 5, 2019.
Councilor Phil Boncore, who has been working on a draft of ballot question language with Councilors Heather Engman and Nick LoConte on the Rules and Ordinance Committee.
The council sought the opinion of the Attorney General’s office regarding the moratorium and was told that it was out of its jurisdiction. An opinion was then sought from the town’s legal firm, K&P, also reviewed an extended moratorium and found no problem.
The current moratorium expires Dec. 31 of this year. If it had lapsed the town could have been in jeopardy allowing someone to set up marijuana shop.