Select Board Votes to Oppose Ballot Question 8

Select Board · Meeting of October 6, 2026

LEE — The Lee Select Board unanimously signed a resolution opposing statewide ballot Question 8, citing risks to local cannabis revenue and jobs. Eric Williams, Canna Provisions co-founder and Lee Chamber of Commerce president, told the board an out-of-state group, Smart Approaches to Marijuana, is "100 percent" funding the measure, calling it an attempt to "dupe us, Massachusetts residents." He cited estimates of $300 million in annual state cannabis tax revenue, up to 37,500 jobs lost, and $3.9 billion in lost economic output projected for 2027. The board said Lee's cannabis industry brings the town $400,000 to $600,000 a year.

Separately, the board raised the fire department's smoke detector inspection permit fee to $50 from $30 after Fire Chief Ryan Schultz cited a 36 percent rise in fuel costs, and heard Maple Street resident Nelson Daly's long-running complaint about Barnes Brook flooding, which the board agreed to investigate but did not resolve.

In the full story:

• Who Was There
• Organizations And Documents Referenced
• The complete report — 3,106 words

Source: the Select Board meeting of October 6, 2026, reported from the official video recording and transcript.