SPRINGFIELD -- The City Council gave first-step approval
on Tuesday to a zoning ordinance that will allow up to 15 recreational
marijuana retail stores in Springfield culminating many hours of deliberation
and debate and some sharp objections by members.
The vote was 7-3 in favor of the marijuana regulations
following a second consecutive meeting lasting nearly four hours.
One of the opponents, Councilor Michael Fenton, vowed to
"fight it with everything I got."
The ordinance is now forwarded to the Planning Board, and will be considered for final approval by the City Council at a hearing scheduled Sept. 25.
