Katelyn Baker
Well-Known Member
New Milford - Medical marijuana dispensaries will be allowed in town beginning Aug. 1, two years after it was first proposed.
The dispensaries were unanimously added as an accepted use to the town's general business, or B-2, zone at Tuesday's zoning commission meeting.
The commission also passed restrictions, prohibiting dispensaries within 1,000 feet of the property line of schools, day cares, places of worship and single or multi-family houses.
"This virtually mirrors what we were going to do two years ago," zoning commission Chairman Bill Taylor said.
The zoning commission talked about adding dispensaries to the restricted business zone in 2014, but the proposal fell by the wayside when other issues came before the commission. Efforts to add dispensaries re-emerged last month with an application from New Options Healing LLC.
The commission debated not allowing dispensaries within 1,500 feet of the sensitive places, but reduced it because it exceeded the state guideline's of 1,000 feet.
Taylor said the restrictions were based on the police chief's suggestions in 2014 and were a way to address the residents' wishes.
"Based on the input from 'not in our town,' to 'have it anywhere,' we're trying to strike a balance," Taylor said.
Russell Lutz, president of New Options Healing, questioned the restrictions because he said the dispensary is essentially a pharmacy and would only be filling prescriptions. He said a pharmacy would be allowed to be near a church or day care and wondered why the dispensary wouldn't.
Taylor and Laura Regan, the town's zoning enforcement officer, said the dispensary is different from a pharmacy because it must be licensed by the state Department of Consumer Protection.
During his application presentation last month, Lutz described the dispensary as a "CVS with more security than you've ever seen."
He said the dispensary would have two different security systems in place, a security guard on-site 24/7 and constant supervision by the state using a state-of-the-art surveillance system. There would be no advertising, and only a small sign above the door with the company's name.
To buy medical marijuana, a patient must obtain a doctor's permission and a state-issued photo identification card. Each patient only receives one card, but a caregiver can obtain the marijuana if the patient is unable, Lutz said.
Connecticut has six dispensaries, including one in Bethel. Three others have been licensed by the state and are expected to open this summer.
Last month, a spokeswoman for the Department of Consumer Protection said the state wasn't accepting applications for new dispensary facilities, but may as the program and number of patients expands.
News Moderator: Katelyn Baker 420 MAGAZINE ®
Full Article: New Milford To Allow Medical Marijuana Dispensaries
Author: Katrina Koerting
Contact: The Greater New Milford Spectrum
Photo Credit: Sarah L. Voisin
Website: The Greater New Milford Spectrum
The dispensaries were unanimously added as an accepted use to the town's general business, or B-2, zone at Tuesday's zoning commission meeting.
The commission also passed restrictions, prohibiting dispensaries within 1,000 feet of the property line of schools, day cares, places of worship and single or multi-family houses.
"This virtually mirrors what we were going to do two years ago," zoning commission Chairman Bill Taylor said.
The zoning commission talked about adding dispensaries to the restricted business zone in 2014, but the proposal fell by the wayside when other issues came before the commission. Efforts to add dispensaries re-emerged last month with an application from New Options Healing LLC.
The commission debated not allowing dispensaries within 1,500 feet of the sensitive places, but reduced it because it exceeded the state guideline's of 1,000 feet.
Taylor said the restrictions were based on the police chief's suggestions in 2014 and were a way to address the residents' wishes.
"Based on the input from 'not in our town,' to 'have it anywhere,' we're trying to strike a balance," Taylor said.
Russell Lutz, president of New Options Healing, questioned the restrictions because he said the dispensary is essentially a pharmacy and would only be filling prescriptions. He said a pharmacy would be allowed to be near a church or day care and wondered why the dispensary wouldn't.
Taylor and Laura Regan, the town's zoning enforcement officer, said the dispensary is different from a pharmacy because it must be licensed by the state Department of Consumer Protection.
During his application presentation last month, Lutz described the dispensary as a "CVS with more security than you've ever seen."
He said the dispensary would have two different security systems in place, a security guard on-site 24/7 and constant supervision by the state using a state-of-the-art surveillance system. There would be no advertising, and only a small sign above the door with the company's name.
To buy medical marijuana, a patient must obtain a doctor's permission and a state-issued photo identification card. Each patient only receives one card, but a caregiver can obtain the marijuana if the patient is unable, Lutz said.
Connecticut has six dispensaries, including one in Bethel. Three others have been licensed by the state and are expected to open this summer.
Last month, a spokeswoman for the Department of Consumer Protection said the state wasn't accepting applications for new dispensary facilities, but may as the program and number of patients expands.
News Moderator: Katelyn Baker 420 MAGAZINE ®
Full Article: New Milford To Allow Medical Marijuana Dispensaries
Author: Katrina Koerting
Contact: The Greater New Milford Spectrum
Photo Credit: Sarah L. Voisin
Website: The Greater New Milford Spectrum
