Ron Strider
Well-Known Member
Westport will now allow up to two medical marijuana dispensaries to operate in town.
In a unanimous vote, the six member Planning and Zoning Commission supported the amendment permitting dispensaries to operate in non-residential districts and at least 1,000 feet from any school, place of worship, public park, public building or public recreation area. Around 60 properties fit these restrictions.
Because of the limited number of licenses granted by the state and the fact that Connecticut doesn't regulate pricing, the nine operating dispensaries in the state are able to set their own prices, often making it difficult for patients to afford the medicine.
Medical marijuana is restricted to those with extremely serious medical conditions. For patients over 18 to qualify for a medical marijuana certificate in Connecticut they need to have grave health issues including post-traumatic stress disorder, cancer, glaucoma and Parkinson's Disease. Children under 18 can qualify as patients if they have a select debilitating medical condition such as cerebral palsy or cystic fibrosis.
Cathy Walsh, the P&Z chairwoman, voiced reservations about passing the measure because she felt the town was catering to the business of two companies seeking to open shops in town.
"I don't like it because I feel like we're just catering to these two companies...If there were a larger pool of licenses and if it were legal, I wouldn't have an issue," Walsh said. Medical marijuana is legal in the state of Connecticut; however, there are only nine medical marijuana facilities licensed by the state Department of Consumer Protection. The bill allowing dispensaries was signed in 2012.
Commissioner Chip Stephens pushed back on Walsh's concerns and emphasized the importance of providing a close option for Westporters–afflicted by serious medical issues–to obtain their medicine.
"Cathy, you're missing the point. This is for people that are racked with cancer," Stephens said.
"We're accommodating these people and it has nothing to do with the two vendors. It has nothing to do with recreational. It has nothing to do with vendors. It has to do with compassion and helping people live out the last days of their lives and Westport is a very compassionate community," he added.
Without the amendment, commissioner Paul Lebowitz said it would leave the town open to an application without a regulation in place and could result in a dispensary opening in an undesirable part of town.
"The true beneficiaries here are those suffering illnesses and pain," said commissioner Danielle Dobin, stressing the point that the amendment is exclusively for medical marijuana and not recreational use.
News Moderator: Ron Strider 420 MAGAZINE ®
Full Article: Medical marijuana dispensaries given the go-ahead in Westport - Westport News
Author: Chris Marquette
Contact: Contact Us - Westport News
Photo Credit: Chris Marquette
Website: Westport-News: Southwest Connecticut Area News, Fairfield County News, Westport News, Sports, Business, Entertainment, Real Estate, Classifieds - Westport News
In a unanimous vote, the six member Planning and Zoning Commission supported the amendment permitting dispensaries to operate in non-residential districts and at least 1,000 feet from any school, place of worship, public park, public building or public recreation area. Around 60 properties fit these restrictions.
Because of the limited number of licenses granted by the state and the fact that Connecticut doesn't regulate pricing, the nine operating dispensaries in the state are able to set their own prices, often making it difficult for patients to afford the medicine.
Medical marijuana is restricted to those with extremely serious medical conditions. For patients over 18 to qualify for a medical marijuana certificate in Connecticut they need to have grave health issues including post-traumatic stress disorder, cancer, glaucoma and Parkinson's Disease. Children under 18 can qualify as patients if they have a select debilitating medical condition such as cerebral palsy or cystic fibrosis.
Cathy Walsh, the P&Z chairwoman, voiced reservations about passing the measure because she felt the town was catering to the business of two companies seeking to open shops in town.
"I don't like it because I feel like we're just catering to these two companies...If there were a larger pool of licenses and if it were legal, I wouldn't have an issue," Walsh said. Medical marijuana is legal in the state of Connecticut; however, there are only nine medical marijuana facilities licensed by the state Department of Consumer Protection. The bill allowing dispensaries was signed in 2012.
Commissioner Chip Stephens pushed back on Walsh's concerns and emphasized the importance of providing a close option for Westporters–afflicted by serious medical issues–to obtain their medicine.
"Cathy, you're missing the point. This is for people that are racked with cancer," Stephens said.
"We're accommodating these people and it has nothing to do with the two vendors. It has nothing to do with recreational. It has nothing to do with vendors. It has to do with compassion and helping people live out the last days of their lives and Westport is a very compassionate community," he added.
Without the amendment, commissioner Paul Lebowitz said it would leave the town open to an application without a regulation in place and could result in a dispensary opening in an undesirable part of town.
"The true beneficiaries here are those suffering illnesses and pain," said commissioner Danielle Dobin, stressing the point that the amendment is exclusively for medical marijuana and not recreational use.
News Moderator: Ron Strider 420 MAGAZINE ®
Full Article: Medical marijuana dispensaries given the go-ahead in Westport - Westport News
Author: Chris Marquette
Contact: Contact Us - Westport News
Photo Credit: Chris Marquette
Website: Westport-News: Southwest Connecticut Area News, Fairfield County News, Westport News, Sports, Business, Entertainment, Real Estate, Classifieds - Westport News