The State’s been looking at this a long time and frankly, so has ORLEANS. All of the potential issues have been resolved, traffic and crime are largely a non-issue. Our town is lucky to have had this time - so that our select board and planners could tailor a SMART plan for a uniquely new industry.
As a result, the plans for Orleans are very reasonable - if these articles (37 & 38) are approved the maximum number of dispensaries will be 2, and none will be located in our village center. Some think this is about money - and maybe they’re right - so as the lower Cape’s commercial hub, what is Orleans losing if P-town, Truro, Welfleet and Eastham also all have Cannabis shops planned?
Youth Prevention – Our young people need to be protected from all substances ranging from aspirin to alcohol; But unlike with those common household substances, Orleans has the chance to use state dispensary taxes to DIRECTLY fund youth programs. Our own Select board member, Andrea Reed noted that much needed Universal Pre-K & Rec Programs in our Town can be paid for with the 6% community impact & taxes from Cannabis sales.
Public Revenues - Our community is already in a fiscal crisis. The Cape’s wastewater woes were drastically complicated when our businesses and lives were curtailed by Covid-19. Then our town realized its own $1M+ shortfall. Why prohibit an already legal industry that’s growing jobs general business activity and revenue - not just in our state but nationwide?
Local Economic Growth – The numbers are easy. We already know our friends, family and neighbors who consume Cannabis. The question’s really the same as any choice to shop local - Do we want the money kept locally, or do we leave the jobs and tax revenues on to businesses and taxpayers living and working in another place?
Blue Collar Support – Too many of us are retired and focused on “Olde Cape Cod” to a fault. Our policymakers need to understand there are only so many industries that offer economic activity and growth in this day & age. There are only so many homes that can be built or landscaped in a year, only so many fish in the sea to fish. As the hub of the lower cape, we need to make sure for our residents that our Orleans is a part of every available industry, not just the ones second home owners would like to see on vacation.
Some will say that all advocates talk about is “the money.” Maybe they’re right, but that’s because it’s all that’s left to talk about in local towns. Cannabis possession and sales is legal in every municipality throughout the Commonwealth of Massachusetts.
The only question left for towns like Orleans is whether they would like to receive the tax revenues and jobs from the industry, or whether they’d rather let other towns enjoy the benefits.
Learn more at cannabiscapecod.org/orleans
