The Smithers lab, located down the street from the John W. Decas School, has submitted a zoning change request. 

As discussed during Monday night’s Planning Board meeting, Smithers is considering expanding its business from environmental testing to include marijuana testing. 

State regulations suggest not allowing marijuana businesses to operate within 500 feet of a school building, which would exclude the lab’s location. However, the town can override that suggestion without involving the State Legislature as it is not a law.

The proposal would reduce that set-back to zero feet. 

All zoning changes require approval by ⅔ of voters at Town Meeting.