22.190 An Ordinance Limiting the Number of Retail Marijuana Establishments in the City of NorthamptonCity of Northampton
MASSACHUSETTS
In the City Council, December 15, 2022
Upon the Recommendation of Councilors Karen Foster, Marianne LaBarge and Rachel Maiore
22.190. AN ORDINANCE LIMITING THE NUMBER OF
RETAIL CANNABIS ESTABLISHMENTS IN THE CITY OF NORTHAMPTON
WHEREAS, the Commissioner of Northampton’s Department of Health and Human Services has called for the City to institute an upper limit on the number of retail cannabis establishments
in the City, and
WHEREAS, the pursuit of social equity is a core value consistently expressed by both our Municipal government and community members,
NOW, THEREFORE, be it ordained by the City Council of the City of Northampton, in City Council assembled, as follows:
Add the following to the Code of Ordinances as Section _XX:
A. In accordance with Mass. Gen. Laws, c. 94G, § 3 (a)(2), there shall be no more than twelve (12) retail marijuana establishments in the city of Northampton. The limit shall not apply
to marijuana establishments other than those operated by a “marijuana retailer” as that term is defined in Mass. Gen. Laws, c. 94G, § 1.
B. The following shall be exempt from the limitations set forth in this ordinance:
1. Owner applicants who qualify as Social Equity Candidates as defined by the Cannabis Control Commission of the Commonwealth of Massachusetts shall be exempt from this ordinance.
2. This ordinance shall not apply to a retail establishment or a proposed retail establishment for which a lease agreement for a Northampton property has been signed as of the effective
date of this ordinance.