The Board of Selectmen at its meeting this week deemed complete Latitude 42’s application to convert Hull’s former aquarium building into a cultivation and research facility and medical marijuana dispensary. The board’s action is only the first of three stages of review for the controversial plan.
“This is not a decision about the quality of the application or the content of the information provided, but whether or not the application is consistent with the town’s rules and regulations,” said Jennifer Constable, the board’s chairwoman.
A motion that the application was complete was accepted by four members of the board, with John Reilly abstaining with no reason given.
Town Counsel James Lampke explained to the selectmen the three phases of the review process: submission and evaluation of the completeness of the application; the evaluation phase for the proposal; and the decision-making part of the process when the board decides whether or not to approve the proposal.
In September, the selectmen approved the adoption of draft Rules and Regulations for Consideration of Requests for Host Community Agreements related to medical marijuana facility proposals that come before the town. That action was taken to ensure that any such projects are properly vetted in advance and deemed to be in the best interests of the community.
The first, already approved medical marijuana dispensary in Hull – Alternative Compassion Services – at the former Java Jungle site at 175 George Washington Blvd. does not include cultivation. The opening date for that facility is not yet available.
The board plans to hold a public forum about the Latitude 42 application to repurpose the 120 Nantasket Ave. location as it moves through the evaluation process. “This will be an opportunity for town departments and the public to weigh in,” Constable said.
Information about the forum will be posted in the town meetings calendar at town.hull.ma.us. Abutters are also expected to receive notices with details about the forum.
