The Unofficial Election Results are in from the Special Town Election held yesterday, June 12, 2018.
With 1,789 votes cast, Question 1 passed with 1194, or 67%, of votes cast for a "Yes"
A total of 13.55% of Concord's registered voters came out to vote in the Special Election, nearly a 10% increase of the total population in voter turn out from the previous Town Election on March 27, 2018 which saw 3.79% of the total voter population come out to vote.
To view the Unofficial Election Results, please click here.
Ballot Language
A majority of voters in Concord voted in favor of Question 4 on the 2016 state election ballot, entitled “Legalization, Regulation, and Taxation of Marijuana.” Subsequently, the state enacted General Law Chapter 94G, section 3. Under that statute, towns where a majority of ballots were cast in favor of Question 4 must submit any bylaw limiting the type or number of marijuana establishments, or prohibiting such establishments altogether, to voters for approval. On April 11, Concord Town Meeting proposed the bylaw below and voted to submit it for approval to voters pursuant to Chapter 94G.
A “yes” vote on this question would prohibit any marijuana establishment, as defined in chapter 94G, section 1 of the General Laws, from operating in Concord. The prohibition would apply to marijuana establishments including, without limitation, marijuana cultivators, independent testing laboratories, marijuana product manufacturers, and marijuana retailers. The prohibition would not apply to Registered Marijuana Dispensaries that dispense medical marijuana. If this ballot question is approved, the Cannabis Control Commission — a statewide commission created by the Legislature to promulgate regulations and to review license applications for marijuana establishments — would deny licenses to applicants who propose to operate a marijuana establishment in Concord. A “no” vote disapproves the bylaw, meaning the prohibitions described below would not take effect in Concord.
MARIJUANA ESTABLISHMENTS
The operation within the Town of Concord of any marijuana establishment, as defined in Massachusetts General Laws c. 94G, § 1, including, without limitation, a marijuana cultivator, marijuana testing facility, marijuana product manufacturer, marijuana retailer or any other type of licensed marijuana-related business, is prohibited. This prohibition shall not apply to the sale, distribution or cultivation of marijuana for medical purposes by a Registered Marijuana Dispensary as defined in Section 4.3.9 of the Zoning Bylaw.