where was that?

The shopping strip across from Home Goods. Someone burned it down.

Several years ago, I had surgery on my right shoulder. Pain medication was prescribed..."take one capsule every 4 hours."

I took one capsule.
I was down for over 20 hours. When I came to, I felt like I had been hit by a truck. The next time I felt discomfort, I smoked a small amount of marijuana ...pain gone, no after effects.

I threw the pills out.

Then I wrote:

Shoulda Robbed a Bank

My contribution to helping point out just how ludicrous our pot laws truly are.

I would be honored by your review .

yeah, can't they just dispense THC pills at CVS rather than having farms of pot plants? or would that just harsh people's mellow?

Because Marijuana is FEDERALLY ILLEGAL:

As DOJ has said on many occasions, Congress has determined through the Controlled Substances Act (CSA) that marijuana is a Schedule I drug and as such growing, distributing, and possessing marijuana in any capacity save a federal research program is in “violation of federal law regardless of state laws permitting such activities” (U.S. DOJ, U.S. Attorneys Durkan and Ormsby, April 14, 2011). DOJ has further stated that “this core priority [of disrupting drug trafficking organizations] includes prosecution of business enterprises that unlawfully market and sell marijuana”(U.S. DOJ, U.S. Attorneys Durkan and Ormsby, April 14, 2011).

Kevin- I have MS. Every day is a struggle with pain and discomfort. I applaud the state supporters of Medical Marijuana for their compassion. I'm embarassed, however, by the Town Meeting members who are attempting to circumvent the distribution provision of the soon-to-be-law by zoning it out of the town. How righteous of them ... How many of them are painfully disabled?

These people do not represent my best interests. 113-39? How do I find out who voted which way? I want to be sure to show the supporters of the narrow-visioned effort the same compassion they've shown me. OBTW - while I'm in some other local town seeking relief from my deteriorating condition, I'll probably shop there for other legal, town-acceptable goods and fare.

I thought Reading was "business friendly"? Isn't there an "adult" zoned area over by the DPW (convenient on/off access from Rte 95) whose zoning would support such a state legalized and tax paying enterprise?

Reading needs to get its head out of the sand. The winds of change are blowing and the answer isn't to simply don another sweater.

As DOJ has said on many occasions, Congress has determined through the Controlled Substances Act (CSA) that marijuana is a Schedule I drug and as such growing, distributing, and possessing marijuana in any capacity save a federal research program is in “violation of federal law regardless of state laws permitting such activities” (U.S. DOJ, U.S. Attorneys Durkan and Ormsby, April 14, 2011). DOJ has further stated that “this core priority [of disrupting drug trafficking organizations] includes prosecution of business enterprises that unlawfully market and sell marijuana”(U.S. DOJ, U.S. Attorneys Durkan and Ormsby, April 14, 2011).

My thoughts exactly. Rushing to judgement.

Agreed. Alcohol, the REAL gateway drug. Typical not in my backyard. Sure didnt waste anytime. Voters approved medical marijuana by a majority.

This is the "problem". It would not be a "Pot Den". How out of touch. It would be just like a pharmacy. Sick people going for "medication" that helps the.

You should investigate what these places are like in the other states that allow the store fronts. They are very far from pharmacies.

This is absolutely not a different issue from Question 3. The ballot question read "IN MASSACHUSETTS", which most certainly implies "IN YOUR HOMETOWN". We ARE in Massachusetts, aren't we?

But I admit that I haven't read the details of our zoning law. Maybe it said "Treatment Centers", so a "Sales Location" will still be allowed? A Treatment Center is probably not a great idea anyway (i.e. come here to use it when you need to)... that would create a lot of DUIs. Exactly what was the wording of the zoning change?

Perhaps the states official wording will work around our new zoning law?

I would expect ANY distribution center to be required to store their controlled substances securely.

Jessica, right on. This decision makes sense for the superficial appearance Reading continues to present. As a town we wouldn't want to receive any of the tax revenue one of these centers could generate. Let's just wait a few more years until they want to raise our taxes again, and see what happens.

Why is the Reading police captain spending any time whatsoever trying to subvert a law passed by the majority of state residents? I thought he was supposed to enforce the laws. These actions are akin to the southern states passing laws to dilute voter registration and racial integration.

Actually Brandon, I think you're confusing corporate income taxes with local taxes. Reading has no direct linkage to corporate taxes but does to sales tax, property taxes and meals tax. Not sure how much "substantial" is but I'm pretty sure it would be more than an empty store front or new construction.

I understand that, Pete. The point I was trying to make is that just because a business may generate some tax revenue does not mean it's a great idea to let them operate in town. I disagree with that reasoning

The law is not invalidated by the fact that Reading amended its zoning bylaws to prevent the operation of one of these businesses. A vast majority of Town Meeting members decided that this is not something desirable to have in town, in much the same way they could decide that any other type of business is not desirable, even if it's legal. For instance, Town Meeting could decide that Reading will be a dry town. No liquor licenses given, even though alcohol is a legally sold product.

And the Chief has an obligation to report his concerns to Town Meeting so that Town Meeting Members can make an informed decision. Arguments were presented both for and against this zoning change. It's called good government.

Let me rephrase that as "circumvent the law". I believe that's more in tune with the southern states approach.

There is no law right now. The legislature had not taken a vote as of May 1, 2012 according to the Secretary of State. The Reading Police Chief is a professional and was doing nothing to subvert any law. What was on the ballot (Question #3) was for voters to express an opinion to the legislature. Voters do not make laws....only legislators, and they have not taken a vote yet. And we know from MA history, ballot initiatives don't always become law, even if the voters support the question.

Excellent point Fred. The ballot initiative (the whole initiative not just pieces of it) that was passed overwhelmingly by the people of Mass. and the residents of Reading, kicks off a legislative process that will create the law. We’ve all been a bit lax in our terminology.

That fact further demonstrates just how ludicrous and, to me anyway, plain silly the Town Meeting vote was. What were they voting on? Hypothetical zoning issues?

When’s the vote on where we might locate an inter-galactic refueling station?

Also, I certainly do not mean to question the professionalism of our chief of police. What I question is his use in this situation. He’s facing a massive paradigm shift that anyone in his position would have difficulty promoting. It’s like having oil executives provide their views on green energy proposals.

That role would have been better served by an independent third party.

Thanks. Understand. Unfortunately I'm not much of a farmer ...

Thank You Pete. Very well said.