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Somerville committee backs medical‑marijuana stabilization funds to hire youth and prevention staff
Summary
The committee recommended appropriating $324,360 from the Medical Marijuana Stabilization Fund to pay salaries and fringes for four full‑time positions focused on out‑of‑school time, youth workplace learning, prevention services and a school‑based substance‑abuse specialist.
The Somerville Finance Committee on Feb. 24 advanced a $324,360 appropriation from the Medical Marijuana Stabilization Fund to support four full‑time positions in FY 2027 aimed at youth services and substance‑abuse prevention.
Anoop Malik, Health & Human Services finance manager, said the request covers an out‑of‑school‑time community coordinator, a youth workplace‑learning coordinator, a prevention services coordinator (all in HHS) and a half‑time school substance‑abuse prevention and intervention specialist funded jointly with the Somerville Public Schools. Malik said the positions were recommended following prior studies and an annual survey of youth behavioral trends.
Acting HHS Director Nikki Spencer said the positions are intended to support prevention and engagement work across ages and that the school‑based specialist had previously been a half‑time role that is now being restored to full time to meet student needs.
Councilors probed whether the medical‑marijuana fund may be used for prevention and whether funds derive from local agreements with dispensaries; Malik and Director Bean said the city vetted the uses with the Department of Revenue, confirmed a legal nexus for prevention and noted funding comes from community agreements with dispensaries rather than sales tax flows to the general fund.
The committee recommended approval and laid the item on the table to recommend approval at the meeting’s end.
