Officials and residents across the Valley are taking steps to gain control of the way the legalization of marijuana plays out in their communities.

Prompted by the possibility that the new law could increase public safety calls and create numerous retail pot shops, Amherst officials are calling on state leaders to make changes to the law.

Meanwhile, school officials and a youth advocate this week urged the Easthampton City Council to consider limiting the number of retail marijuana licenses and regulating the new law. 

And South Hadley last week adopted a six-month moratorium on applications for retail marijuana licenses.

In a Dec. 19 letter to state Senate President Stanley Rosenberg, D-Amherst, and Speaker of the House Robert DeLeo, the Amherst Select Board asks that communities be given mechanisms to delay all sales of recreational marijuana, be allowed to build in distinctions between stores selling medical and recreational marijuana, be able to put limits on home grows and be permitted to increase the maximum local options sales taxes.

Amherst voters showed overwhelming support for the legalization of marijuana at the Nov. 8 election, with nearly three-quarters in favor. But with the median age of residents at 21.6 years, Chairwoman Alisa Brewer writes, “we respectfully request that the Legislature review several key elements that concern the Select Board.”

“With such a youthful population … we are particularly concerned that we will not have sufficient time to adequately address the health and safety concerns within the time frame included in the law.”

While it is now legal for Massachusetts residents over 21 to use, distribute and cultivate marijuana in limited amounts, licenses are not yet available for retail marijuana businesses.

A Cannabis Control Commission, consisting of three members to be appointed by the state treasurer, will administer the law governing marijuana use and distribution, will draft regulations and will be responsible for the licensing of marijuana commercial establishments. The commission will enact initial regulations by Sept. 15 2017.

By October 2017, the commission will begin accepting applications for retailers and cultivators.

In Easthampton, the School Committee drafted a letter suggesting that the number of retail marijuana licenses be limited to no more than 20 percent of the number of licenses issued for liquor stores in the city.

“We also need to be careful not to increase the allure of marijuana through the excessive presence of storefronts,” Chairwoman Debora Lusnia said.

She also expressed concerns regarding edible THC products.

“Edibles are easy to share and conceal, and monitoring products of this nature in schools will be an additional and challenging responsibility for our administrators, teachers and health educators,” Lusnia said

Robert W. Hill III, head of Williston Northampton School, and Ruth Ever of the Easthampton Healthy Youth Coalition voiced support for the School Committee’s suggestion.

“Limiting the number of licenses is an essential step to ensure that our city remains inviting and safe for children, families and visitors to the city,” Hill said.

The city’s ordinance subcommittee plans to discuss possible regulations in late-January.

Amherst Town Manager Paul Bockelman said Tuesday that the expectation is that Amherst will be unusually affected by recreational marijuana sales and will be “ground zero” as a place where companies want to set up shop.

“This is encouraging changes to the law in anticipation that Amherst will be at the forefront of businesses that want to open,” Bockelman said.

Even with the letter, the Select Board may still be considering a moratorium on retail shops.

Board member Constance Kruger said she learned at a recent statewide conference on recreational marijuana that many cities and towns are seeking such moratoriums, while others are considering townwide referendum votes that could limit the number distributors and sales points.

Amherst, she said, could limit retail marijuana stores to 20 percent of the number of off-premise alcohol licenses, or restrict them to the areas where licensed medical marijuana facilities exist.

Though no medical marijuana dispensaries are open, four are in the process of opening, with three planned for University Drive.

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