Is Medical Marijuana Moratorium Right for Reading?

Reading residents will have the ultimate say on whether the town will approve a zoning amendment that would place a one-year moratorium on medical marijuana dispensary decisions. So what's your vote?

According to a report in the Daily Times Chronicle, the Community Planning and Development Commission (CPDC) voted 5-0 during a Monday meeting to approve the moratorium that would last through November 2014. The vote came after discussion from residents during a Public Hearing on the issue.

"It will give the town some time to think about how they want to handle the use," said Staff Planner Jessie Wilson in June when the topic came in front of the CPDC. The Board of Selectmen supported the moratorium earlier this year as well.

Residents will next have the chance to weigh in on the issue when a Town Meeting is held in November, but you don't have to wait until then to share your thoughts.

Will you vote to approve the moratorium and in turn keep medical marijuana out of Reading for at least one year? If you're voting against the moratorium, why do you believe that's the right decision? Are you undecided on the issue? What information could swing your vote to one side or the other?

Get the conversation started by weighing in with your thoughts in the comments section below, and be sure to check back with Reading Patch throughout the process for the latest news.