SOUTH HADLEY, Mass. (WGGB/WSHM) - South Hadley is taking early steps toward allowing marijuana establishments to operate in town, potentially undoing a ban that’s been in place since 2018. It was a brief point of discussion at a town meeting this past Tuesday.

The selectboard members discussed two bylaw changes that would be required in any updating to the town’s general bylaws and its zoning bylaws. They then voted to send the proposed bylaw changes to town staff for review.

The current ban traces back to 2018, when residents voted at a special town meeting and later at the ballot box to prohibit several categories of recreational marijuana businesses ranging from standard retailers or cultivators, to testing facilities, from operating in town limits.

A driving factor is the possible economic benefits that the marijuana industry brings, especially in taxes, which goes directly into towns and cities general funds to support local services.

South Hadley residents rejected two separate budget overrides back in April, and at this same meeting, the selectboard voted to hold another special election on September 1st, a $3.5 million question to assist services like the library and school departments.

One South Hadley resident we spoke to said that it made all the sense in the world, “I don’t think it’s going to bring anything bad to our city. It’ll definitely bring in more tax money. I know that the tax money from the cannabis industry has been like earmarked for public services, which since we didn’t pass the override, that’s something that this town really needs,” said Arno Noack.

Coming up tonight at 6, hear more about what the town’s selectboard discussed and what the next steps are.

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