Pembroke Select Board Votes to Advance Retail Marijuana Proposal to Town Meeting
Board supports zoning changes that would allow sales and impose 3% local tax in industrial area
PEMBROKE - March 5 - The Pembroke Select Board votes to advance a proposal that would allow retail marijuana sales in a specific overlay district, potentially creating a new revenue stream for the town through a 3% local excise tax.
During their March 5 meeting, board members unanimously supported three related warrant articles that would amend zoning bylaws to permit retail marijuana establishments in the town's existing medical marijuana overlay district located in the industrial park area on Oak Street.
"I think the whole atmosphere surrounding this topic has changed from the last time that this was voted down," said Chair Tracy Marino. "It's honestly just possible revenue. And I don't really see any reason to prevent such, to ban it."
The proposed changes would allow retail marijuana sales and delivery services within Pembroke, while also enabling the town to impose a local excise tax of up to 3% on all sales at permitted marijuana businesses.
Town Manager Bill Chenard notes that most neighboring communities with retail marijuana establishments charge the maximum 3% tax rate, though some early adopters implemented slightly lower rates.
The proposal represents a shift from 2017, when Pembroke voters rejected marijuana sales shortly before statewide legalization took effect. Board members suggest attitudes have evolved since then.
"I'm not necessarily an advocate for this. But I'm definitely an advocate for having the people have a vote," said Dan Trabucco.
Steve Ciciotti points out that residents can already purchase marijuana in neighboring communities. "It's another possible revenue stream. I mean, not even a thousand feet down from Pembroke, you can go to a competitor," he said. "So it's a moot point whether you prohibit it here or not, because anyone can go anywhere to get it."
The proposed changes include three components:
1. Amending the zoning bylaw to allow retail marijuana sales in the existing medical marijuana overlay district
2. Implementing a local excise tax of up to 3% on retail marijuana sales
3. Updating the town's general bylaws to clarify permitted marijuana activities
If approved at town meeting, the Select Board would serve as the special permit granting authority for marijuana establishments, with the planning board handling aspects like parking, entrances and drainage. The Town Manager would negotiate agreements with prospective businesses, which would then require Cannabis Control Commission approval.
"We would have the right to refuse?" asked Richard Flynn during discussion about the licensing process. Chenard confirmed they would be the authority reviewing and granting the Special Permit.
John Brown, who initially expressed concerns about "saturation" of marijuana shops throughout the South Shore, ultimately supported advancing the proposal. "If it's a way to garner revenue for the help of the town, go for it," he said.
Marino suggested that a Pembroke location might recapture business currently going to neighboring towns. "My hope would be that if someplace did open in Pembroke, all those people going to Marshfield and Halifax might come here, come back to our town," she said.
The board also approved related housekeeping measures to update outdated references in town bylaws, including striking a section that prohibited marijuana possession in Pembroke, which is now superseded by state law.
The Planning Board has scheduled a public hearing on the proposed zoning changes for March 24 at 7 p.m. The articles will then proceed to the annual town meeting on May 13 for voter consideration.
Other business from the meeting:
- The board voted against signing a letter supporting the extension of COVID-era remote meeting provisions that are set to expire on March 31, 2025.
- Members approved the transfer of an all-alcohol package store license for 125 Church Street from Portobello Beverage, Inc. to Pembroke Wine and Spirits, Inc.
- The board approved a bylaw amendment that would allow alcohol to be served at the town's community center with Select Board approval of one-day liquor licenses.
- Town Manager Bill Chenard presented several department budgets for fiscal year 2026, noting that most departments face cuts due to limited available revenue.
- Chenard reported that the snow and ice budget is currently at $367,835 against a budget of $185,000, creating a deficit of over $180,000 that will need to be addressed in the fall.
- The town clerk urged residents to return their annual street census forms by June 1 to avoid being placed on inactive voter status, which would require additional verification steps to vote in future elections.