Taunton's Cannabis Regulations: The Rules That Matter

Every city handles cannabis regulations a little differently. In Taunton, Massachusetts, there are 2 distinct rules that residents and property owners should be aware of. Some are stricter than what neighboring cities enforce, and others are more relaxed. Here is what you need to know.

Buffer Zones

Taunton's Zoning Ordinance bars any marijuana retailer from locating within 500 feet of another marijuana retailer, with distance measured on a straight line between the two closest points of the two parcels. The Municipal Council can waive the buffer by a two-thirds vote if it finds the waiver serves the City's best interest.

Key details: Buffer distance: 500 feet between marijuana retailers. Measurement: Straight line, closest points of the two parcels. Waiver: Two-thirds vote of the Municipal Council. Effective date: Added October 2, 2018. Enforcing office: Zoning Enforcement Officer, Chapter 440.

Violating the buffer, or any other Chapter 440 zoning requirement, carries a fine of up to $300 per offense under § 440-301B(1), with each day of noncompliance a separate offense. The City may instead pursue noncriminal disposition under § 440-301B(2): $50 for a first offense, $100 for a second, and $300 for a third and each later offense. The Zoning Enforcement Officer administers Chapter 440, including § 440-604's spacing rule, and can withhold zoning sign-off for a retailer opening inside the buffer without a Council waiver.

Dispensary Zoning

Taunton's marijuana ordinance reduces the state's default 500-foot school buffer to zero feet for parcels in the Highway Business Zoning District that sit within 500 feet of the Taunton public schools but are separated from them by the Taunton River. City Code Section 222-2 also bars two priority-status marijuana retailers from locating within 1,000 feet of each other.

Key details: School buffer default: 500 ft, reduced to 0 ft in carve-out. Buffer carve-out zone: Highway Business District, river-separated. Retailer spacing: 1,000 ft between priority-status retailers. Local approvals needed: LLA waiver + Municipal Council special permit. Waiver score minimum: 33 points.

The local licensing authority can suspend or revoke a marijuana retailer's license for violations including materially inaccurate or fraudulent license information, failing to verify a customer's age, selling to anyone under 21, or any conduct that breaches the City's ordinance. A licensee has 14 days after a suspension or revocation order to request a hearing before the licensing authority, and any party aggrieved by its final decision may appeal to Superior Court.

This is one of the stricter rules in Taunton's municipal code. If you are unsure whether your situation complies, it is worth checking with the city before proceeding.

The Bottom Line

Taunton's cannabis regulations rules are a mixed bag. Some areas are strict, others are relaxed, and the details matter. The best approach is to check the specific rule that applies to your situation rather than assuming Taunton is broadly strict or permissive.

All of the above reflects Taunton's municipal code as of our last review. If you need specifics on fines, exemptions, or filing requirements, the detailed ordinance pages linked above have the full breakdown.