Q-MoB Offers Briefings on Benefits for Rural Berkshire LGBTQ Community

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PITTSFIELD, Mass. — Q-MoB is sponsoring two informational briefings for the LGBTQ community regarding health insurance, Social Security, and food stamp benefits. 
 
The organization states the briefings are in response to potential impacts from executive orders and the new Congressional budget.
 
The briefings are being organized by Q-MoB's Ombudsman Advocacy Team, which is recruiting volunteers to assist rural LGBTQ individuals in understanding and potentially protecting or restoring federal benefits. Experts from Berkshire Health Systems Advocacy for Access Program, Elder Services of Berkshire County's SHINE (Serving Health Insurance Needs of Everyone) Program, and an Ecu-Health Care SHINE counselor will lead the sessions. Support for the briefings is provided in part by Berkshire United Way.
 
The briefings will take place at the Berkshire United Way conference room in Pittsfield:
  • April 15: LGBTQ Briefing: Protect Your Soc. Sec., Medicare, Affordable Care Health Insurance, 6:00-7:30 p.m.
  • April 29: LGBTQ Briefing: Medicaid/Affordable Care Act/SNAP 101, 6:00-7:30 p.m.
Q-MoB's Executive Director, Bart Church, stated that rural LGBTQ individuals, particularly those over 60 and/or who are transgender or gender diverse, may be disproportionately affected by potential benefit changes due to factors such as isolation and historical economic disparities. The organization aims to educate the community to proactively protect their benefits.
 
Individuals interested in attending the free briefings can find registration links on the Q-MoB website. LGBTQ individuals interested in volunteering for Q-MoB's Ombudsman Advocacy Team can find more information online.
 
If you would like to contribute information on this article, contact us at info@iberkshires.com.

Pittsfield Cannabis Cultivator Plans Dispensary

By Brittany PolitoiBerkshires Staff

PITTSFIELD. Mass. — A cannabis cultivator and manufacturer has opted to sell its products on site in Downing Parkway. 

The Zoning Board of Appeals this month approved a special permit for J-B.A.M. Inc. to operate a dispensary out of its existing grow facility. There will only be changes to the interior of 71 Downing Parkway, as there will be less than 500 square feet of retail space in the 20,000-square-foot building. 

"My only concern would be the impact, and really would be traffic, which I don't think is excessive, the odor, if there was one, but that doesn't seem to be an issue, and I think it's a good location for a marijuana facility," board member Thomas Goggins said. 

The company's indoor cultivation site plan was approved in 2019, an amendment to add manufacturing and processing in 2021, and on the prior day, a new site plan to add a retail dispensary was approved by the Community Development Board. 

J-B.A.M. cannabis products are available in local dispensaries. 

The interior of the facility will be divided to accommodate an enclosed check-in area, front entrance, retail lobby, secure storage room, offices, and two bathrooms. There are 27 parking spaces for the facility, which is sufficient for the use. 

No medical or recreational cannabis uses are permitted within 500 feet of a school or daycare, a setback that is met, and the space is within an industrial park at the end of a cul-de-sac. 

"The applicant desires the restructuring of the business to be more competitive in the industry with the ability to grow and sell their own cannabis products so they have more financial stability," Chair Albert Ingegni III, read from the application. 

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