Revere City Council votes against recreational potties – for now

There will be no recreational weed stores in Revere yet.

City Council members voted Monday to put the matter “on the shelf,” meaning “it’s dead,” unless someone wants to return to efforts to repeal the city’s ban on recreational marijuana dispensaries by Dec. 31, 2025. year.

“The ban is still there,” Councilman Paul Argenzio said, according to a recording of the meeting.

“There will be no entertainment stores in the City of Revere,” confirmed Council President Anthony Cogliandro. “We’re not changing anything.”

There were no discussions or public hearings. Revere resident and city council member. Board of HealthViviana Catano presented the council with a petition signed by 2,119 residents who oppose “retail marijuana sales.”

The council’s action was met with hearty applause from the audience, which included several members of the city’s Latino community. Many held neon signs above their heads declaring their opposition to canning stores in English and Spanish.

“People will be watching to see what happens next,” Catano told the council.

It was a quick reversal from the city’s legislative affairs subcommittee meeting on Oct. 7, when members voted 4 to 1 to repeal the previous ban. Councilwoman Michelle Kelly voted no.

At Monday’s subcommittee meeting, an hour before the full council met, Councilman Mark Silvestri said he was disappointed the city was giving up “a stable source of revenue … when we need it most.”

“We must resist the temptation to allow a vocal minority to dictate our actions or shape our decisions based on misconceptions,” Silvestri said.

The city estimates tax revenue from recreational dispensaries will generate $200,000 a year.

At the subcommittee’s Oct. 7 meeting, Katanosa said she has worked in substance abuse prevention and public health for more than a decade.

She told members that the benefits of recreational marijuana appear nominal compared to the risks and that the proposed 300-foot buffer zones from schools and playgrounds are insufficient.

“We have 48 tobacco stores and 23 liquor stores,” Catano said. “Why are we inviting another industry that profits from people’s addictions?”

The city has supported recreational marijuana prohibition since 2016, when a majority of Revere residents voted against recreational marijuana on the state ballot.

Tonya Alanez can be reached at [email protected]. Follow her @talanez.