Planning Board Defers Marijuana Ban Stance to Voters
West Newbury Planning Board voted 3-1 to defer marijuana prohibition recommendation to voters. Chairperson Ann E Bardeen moved that the Board recommend "will of the town" at the April 27 Town Meeting and May 4 ballot, rather than the Board endorsing the ban.
Planning Board · Meeting of April 21, 2026
West Newbury Planning Board voted 3-1 to defer marijuana prohibition recommendation to voters. Chairperson Ann E Bardeen moved that the Board recommend "will of the town" at the April 27 Town Meeting and May 4 ballot, rather than the Board endorsing the ban. The Board held a public hearing on the amendment; residents raised concerns about locations near homes, property values, lighting, and police impacts.
West Newbury voted to legalize recreational marijuana in 2016 but never established local regulations, leaving the town open to state-approved marijuana retail.
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Source: the Planning Board meeting of April 21, 2026, compiled from the official minutes.
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