As the three city councilors who are sponsoring the proposed ordinance to limit the number of cannabis retailers in Northampton, we wanted to respond to the great deal of interest and discussion among the community we have heard regarding our proposed ordinance.
When we first introduced the ordinance, Northampton had 12 cannabis retailers; since then, one (The Source) has closed. Our proposed ordinance would limit the number of retailers in Northampton to 12 with two important exemptions: one for businesses who have already begun the process to open a business in our city and the other for retailers who qualify for the Cannabis Control Commission’s Social Equity Program.
The first part of our proposed ordinance is a response to the calls we have heard from those working in public health and with young people regarding their concerns about how shifting norms and an increase in cannabis retailers in Northampton is impacting youth. According to research from SPIFFY (Collaborative for Educational Service’s Strategic Planning Initiative for Families and Youth):
■Adolescent cannabis use is significantly higher in Northampton than national averages.
■Teens in Hampshire County school districts with 5-plus retailers (like Northampton) report greater cannabis use than districts with fewer retailers.
■Northampton teens are more likely than teens countywide to report that legalization has made them more likely to use cannabis and has increased their access to cannabis.
The second part of the ordinance is an exemption to the limit for retailers in the Cannabis Control Commission’s social equity program. At present, only one of Northampton’s cannabis retailers qualifies under this program. Opening a retail cannabis store requires significant financial resources which, in practice, often prevents the very people who have been most harmed by our nation’s drug lawsfrom participating in the market.
At the same time, the tax revenues from cannabis sales are significant for our city. Local cannabis retailers have occupied previously empty storefronts and become valuable members of the business community. There is a concern that limiting the number of licenses in Northampton will lead to an expensive secondary market for retail cannabis licenses.
It is incumbent on us as community leaders to consider the varied sides of each issue. Our proposed ordinance is one way that Northampton can set a retail cannabis policy that balances the benefits of cannabis legalization with equity and public health, particularly for young people in our city.
Karen Foster is vice president of the Northampton City Council, representing Ward 2. Marianne LaBarge is the Ward 6 city councilor and Rachel Maiore is the Ward 7 city councilor.