Staff Writer
Published: 1/30/2023 5:03:32 PM
Modified: 1/30/2023 5:03:19 PM
NORTHAMPTON — Mayor Gina-Louise Sciarra will not sign an ordinance approved by the City Council earlier this month that limits the number of cannabis dispensaries in the city to 12, although the ordinance may still take effect this week as the mayor has also yet to veto it.
The council passed the ordinance on Jan. 19 capping retail marijuana shops at a dozen. According to the city’s charter, the mayor has 10 days after an ordinance is presented to her to sign it. In this case, the ordinance reached her office on Jan. 23. That means that Sciarra has until Thursday to veto the bill.
The mayor, through her chief of staff Alan Wolf, declined to say on Monday whether she plans to veto the ordinance.
If Sciarra, who is against capping the number of dispensaries, vetoes the ordinance, the council would need to vote on it again and pass it with at least two-thirds majority. The council passed the ordinance on a 6-3 vote, the same majority that it would need to be voted on if sent back.
If the mayor does not sign or veto the