A proposal from City Manager Tom Ambrosino to restrict where recreational marijuana retail stores and cultivation facilities could operate received approval from the City Council.
The measure passed 8-2, following the defeat of an amendment proposed by Councillor Roy Avellaneda that fell short of the eight votes required. Voting against the City Manager’s proposal were Avellaneda and Councillor Calvin Brown. Councillor Luis Tejada did not attend the meeting.
According to City Manager Tom Ambrosino, retail operations would be permitted only in the Industrial Zone and the Highway Business zone. The Industrial Zone alone would allow marijuana cultivation and laboratory facilities.
Under regulations from the state Cannabis Control Commission (CCC), Chelsea is eligible for up to four retail licenses. The CCC will open its application process on April 2, with potential issuance beginning July 1, though that timeline remains uncertain at the state level.
Ambrosino emphasized the importance of establishing local regulations before the state began accepting applications.
“I have proposed an ordinance to try to accommodate this new industry in a way I think is reasonable,” he said. “You do need to pass some ordinance to regulate this new industry to ensure the entire city isn’t open to establishments in this new industry.”
Before the vote took place, the Council engaged in extensive deliberation regarding Ambrosino’s proposal.
Avellaneda’s amendment would have excluded the Industrial Zones from retail use while adding the Shopping Center district—including areas like Mystic Mall/DeMoula’s and Parkway Plaza—as permitted locations.
He argued that placing cultivation facilities in the Industrial Zone made sense, but contended that retail operations, including marijuana sales, should not be situated in industrial areas.
“This will be a storefront,” he said. “You don’t picture this in the middle of some warehouse where there are no stairs and a loading dock and lifts for pallets in front. When you think about the retail, we think of this, we should think of it like a jewelry store…You have no public transportation in the Industrial Zone. You’re not taking the bus down Marginal Street or Eastern Avenue…This proposal is drawn up by individuals thinking about this like it was 20 years ago and not today.”
Though Avellaneda’s amendment attracted some support, it ultimately failed with only six votes in favor, two short of the required eight.
Supporting the amendment were Councillors Enio Lopez, Yamir Rodriguez, Bob Bishop, Giovanni Recupero, and Judith Garcia. Voting against it were Councillors Damali Vidot, Calvin Brown, Leo Robinson, and Joe Perlatonda.