Walpole voters ban recreational marijuana shops

Walpole residents voted overwhelming earlier this month to prohibit operation of “all types” of recreational marijuana establishments” in town.

The vote was 3,669 for the prohibition to 1,550 against in the June 3 election.

The vote was on a nonbinding question, according to Cindy Berube in the town administrator’s office. She said selectmen wanted to “get the feel” of the public and are working on something definitive for the fall Town Meeting, which is scheduled for Oct. 16.

Numerous communities around the state have voted to block recreational marijuana businesses from locating within their borders.

The state legalized recreational marijuana in November 2016, but lawmakers pushed back the start date for taking effect. Medical marijuana was legalized in 2012.