As State Eyes Pot Cafe Pilot, N. Adams Could Be A Participant

The Berkshire Eagle  reports  North Adams could participate in a pilot of marijuana cafes, but residents shouldn't expect to see one soon.

Though the city is one of a handful of communities eligible for a program to test on-site social consumption at cafes or public events, Mayor Thomas Bernard said the process has only begun.

"If it's legal and permissible, then we have the ability to move forward, but I want to be very sensitive to concerns, particularly of the [addiction] prevention community," Bernard said.

The Cannabis Control Commission voted 3-2 last week to approve a policy that could result in a pilot program of social consumption sites in 12 communities.

The policy changes still require commission approval at its Thursday meeting. That vote would be followed by a public comment period and then another, final commission vote.

North Adams was one of five communities invited to opt-in to the pilot because Bernard participated in a commission-led working group on social consumption.

Bernard was the only member of the working group from Berkshire County.

A test of social consumption sites for cannabis would seek to identify potential problems.

All the speculation comes before a single retail marijuana business has opened in North Adams.