Seekonk voters reaffirmed that they are open to retail marijuana stores setting up shop in their town.
Residents voted down a ban on marijuana shops by 704 to 496 in Tuesday’s special election, with turnout of 11.33 percent, according to Town Clerk Florice Craig.
The referendum proposed an amendment to the town’s zoning bylaw which would have prohibited any marijuana facilities from operating. This is the town’s second time voting on the issue. Last month opponents of retail marijuana tried to extend a moratorium on marijuana stores. But they failed to achieve the two-thirds majority required in voting during a Town Meeting.
After Tuesday’s vote, Selectmen Chairman David Andrade acknowledged the support for the marijuana facilities and said he believes the matter is settled.
Massachusetts passed a statewide ballot question in 2016 allowing for recreational pot sales in the state, and Seekonk residents voted in favor of the measure at that time. The law allows towns to adopt zoning bylaws that prohibit marijuana stores from openning in their town.
So far, no marijuana outlets have opened in the Seekonk area, but shops are up and running in Leicester and Northampton.
