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.
Keep reading with a 30-day free trial
Subscribe to Berkshire County News to keep reading this post and get 30 days of free access to the full post archives.
Starting a trial requires a payment method. After 30 free days your subscription begins at the price shown at checkout and renews automatically until you cancel. You can cancel anytime from your account. Subscription terms
A subscription gets you:
- Subscriber-only posts and full archive
- Post comments and join the community
- 24x7 access to local news