Prediction: you won’t see pot shops in suburban communities

Date: 3/30/2017

I wasn’t able to cover the hearings conducted by the Joint Committee – snicker snicker  – on recreational marijuana because of a schedule conflict, but I can imagine what was said.

I’m sure a number of people are alarmed about the prospect of having pot shops in their neighborhood or community and had plenty of questions and statements to that effect.

Liquor stores may not scare them, but a marijuana shop does. That’s because we’ve been told for years that marijuana is a gateway drug to heroin and we already have a huge heroin problem that cuts across cities and towns in Western Massachusetts.

Needles to say, but I will, state and local officials can’t stem the tide of the drug and do not have the treatment facilities to assist addicts.

Speaking with the press last week, Springfield Mayor Domenic Sarno expressed his opposition to recreational pot in the City of Homes. Medical marijuana is okay with him, but not the other.

I think it will be interesting to see just how communities either accept the idea or work hard to prevent it.

Do any of you think that we’ll see a pot shop in East Longmeadow, Longmeadow, Wilbraham, Agawam or any other primarily suburban town? My guess is the answer is “no.” Put Chicopee on that list as well. Chicopee’s City Council won’t be open to that kind of retail establishment.

Instead I believe we’ll see an effort in cities to control the location of such stores as carefully as liquor stores or strip clubs are placed – away from residential neighborhoods, churches and schools.

I also think some communities will welcome pot shops as a means of economic development. I could easily see the Morse Administration in Holyoke sense an opportunity if Springfield and Chicopee keep recreational pot out of their city limits.

The trouble with pot is the same as the trouble with booze: it’s part of American society and culture, but some people misuse it. It could be argued that alcohol is the worse of the two substances based on its ready availability and social acceptance, but I think marijuana is just a generation away from the same status.

While the affirmation voters made last year to legalize marijuana for recreational uses was an acknowledgement of something that is already accepted by many, it does create a bit of a nightmare for elected officials who now must cope with the legal structure that must be created.

According to sales figures in Colorado, through August 2016, the state received about $124.9 million in tax revenue from the sale of pot. They use it for educational capital construction grants and health programs.

While no one knows if Massachusetts will generate such numbers, the thought is tempting, especially at a time when the Trump Administration would like to eliminate a program such as Community Development Block Grants, which have proven vital to cities such as Springfield and others.

I don’t smoke pot – never have as it didn’t appeal to me – but I understand I’m in the minority, particularly in my Baby Boom generation. I’ll readily admit I’m more interested in when I can buy a good Cuban cigar.

Sweet addiction
I wote a column for Prime this month about another substance that can have effects on your health and physical fitness: candy.

Specifically I wrote about the confections of my youth that are still around but don’t have the prominence on the store shelves that they once had.

When was the last time you saw a Clark Bar? Are Necco Wafers easy to find?

There is a huge struggle for shelf space in major stores that involves large companies coming up with additional products that can squeeze out those of smaller companies.

Thanks to all of the independent convenience stores though, there is still a sales venue for such products as Lemonheads and Boston Baked Beans – which, of course are actually candy-coated peanuts and not legume-based.

I love walking the aisles of Sweet Life – something I did regularly when I managed Tower Theaters in South Hadley – scouting for items that kids loved but couldn’t usually find in movie theaters.

With recreational pot on the horizon, perhaps Mary Janes, the century-old confection made from peanut butter and molasses, will make a comeback because of its name!

Correction: a printing error obscured the byline for the St. Patrick’s Day photos on last week’s cover. The photos were taken by George Skovera and I regret this taking place.
    So are you more afraid of a pot shop in your neighborhood or a liquor store? Drop me a line at news@thereminder.com. This column is my opinion alone and not necessarily those of the publishers or advertisers.