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The prospect of a medical marijuana production facility setting up in a nearby town is creating a buzz among local officials who have an eye on tax revenue and the 100 jobs such a project might bring.
A still-unidentified group is looking to open an indoor marijuana growing operation as well as a facility to produce food and tinctures for sufferers of a number of ailments the state has approved for medical marijuana use.
Such a local facility would not sell the product directly to consumers, as only licensed pharmacists would be eligible for a dispensary license under a law passed this year. It still is awaiting final approval of specific regulations governing licensure and standards for growers, dispensers, and users.
Representatives of a medical marijuana producer, purportedly the largest in Maine, contacted town officials in East Hartford, East Windsor, and Windsor Locks last week about using large vacant facilities in those towns for the operation.
Windsor Locks First Selectman Steven Wawruck said Thomas Nicholas of South Windsor, who is representing the grower, approached town officials late last week regarding setting up shop at the vacant 45,000-square-foot former Park Plaza car park at 295 Ella Grasso Turnpike (Route 75).
On Tuesday, Nicholas met with Wawruck, Town Engineer Dana Steele, Planning and Zoning Commission Chairman Vincent Nimnoch, planning consultant Patrice Carlson, and town economic development consultant Patrick McMahon.
At the meeting, officials discussed possible proposals and the particulars of making an application to the Planning and Zoning Commission.
"I will reserve comment, but it involves 45 jobs and could be up to 150 jobs, good-paying jobs with good benefits," Wawruck said. "They need 45,000 to 50,000 square feet, and there's future growth potential. Now they have to make an application."
East Hartford Development Director Eileen Buckheit said the group is considering a property at 88 Long Hill St., which is a vacant 515,000-square-foot industrial complex.
Though it has not submitted an application, the Planning and Zoning Commission will discuss the company's inquiry at its Aug. 14 meeting.
In East Windsor, First Selectwoman Denise Menard and Town Planner Laurie Whitten sat down with what Menard described as "a group of gentlemen" regarding the vacant 285,000-square-foot STR plant at 96 Newberry Road.
Menard has said she would welcome the tax revenue and jobs the facility would bring with it.
Calls to Nicholas seeking comment were not returned.
State Sen. Gary LeBeau, D-East Windsor, was more circumspect, explaining that town officials in Cromwell and Middletown also had been approached recently by a medical marijuana operation. LeBeau's district includes East Hartford and East Windsor.
"It's totally premature," he said Wednesday. "This is a long, long process ... and we're still a long way" from approving growing operations and dispensaries.
LeBeau said everything in a legal grow house "would be very controlled to the highest standards and highly scientific. We're talking big bucks" for everything from security to horticulture staff and the energy to pay for the grow lights. "It's a major investment."
The draft regulations set up by the Department of Consumer Protection, which is charged with adopting the standards, call for a producer application fee of $25,000 and an additional $75,000 for approved applications before a prospective grower can receive a license.
"Everything is in a holding pattern," Claudette Carveth, spokeswoman for the Department of Consumer Protection, said.
She said the draft regulations have been submitted to a legislative committee that will meet Aug. 27.
Once the regulations governing Connecticut's medical marijuana law are approved, the Department of Consumer Protection "is in a position to have applications ready," Carveth said. "We're well placed, pending the outcome.
News Hawk- Truth Seeker 420 MAGAZINE ®
Source: journalinquirer.com
Author: Gail Montany and Harlan Levy
Contact: Contact - Journal Inquirer: Site
Website: Officials eager to welcome medical marijuana growers - Journal Inquirer: Page One
A still-unidentified group is looking to open an indoor marijuana growing operation as well as a facility to produce food and tinctures for sufferers of a number of ailments the state has approved for medical marijuana use.
Such a local facility would not sell the product directly to consumers, as only licensed pharmacists would be eligible for a dispensary license under a law passed this year. It still is awaiting final approval of specific regulations governing licensure and standards for growers, dispensers, and users.
Representatives of a medical marijuana producer, purportedly the largest in Maine, contacted town officials in East Hartford, East Windsor, and Windsor Locks last week about using large vacant facilities in those towns for the operation.
Windsor Locks First Selectman Steven Wawruck said Thomas Nicholas of South Windsor, who is representing the grower, approached town officials late last week regarding setting up shop at the vacant 45,000-square-foot former Park Plaza car park at 295 Ella Grasso Turnpike (Route 75).
On Tuesday, Nicholas met with Wawruck, Town Engineer Dana Steele, Planning and Zoning Commission Chairman Vincent Nimnoch, planning consultant Patrice Carlson, and town economic development consultant Patrick McMahon.
At the meeting, officials discussed possible proposals and the particulars of making an application to the Planning and Zoning Commission.
"I will reserve comment, but it involves 45 jobs and could be up to 150 jobs, good-paying jobs with good benefits," Wawruck said. "They need 45,000 to 50,000 square feet, and there's future growth potential. Now they have to make an application."
East Hartford Development Director Eileen Buckheit said the group is considering a property at 88 Long Hill St., which is a vacant 515,000-square-foot industrial complex.
Though it has not submitted an application, the Planning and Zoning Commission will discuss the company's inquiry at its Aug. 14 meeting.
In East Windsor, First Selectwoman Denise Menard and Town Planner Laurie Whitten sat down with what Menard described as "a group of gentlemen" regarding the vacant 285,000-square-foot STR plant at 96 Newberry Road.
Menard has said she would welcome the tax revenue and jobs the facility would bring with it.
Calls to Nicholas seeking comment were not returned.
State Sen. Gary LeBeau, D-East Windsor, was more circumspect, explaining that town officials in Cromwell and Middletown also had been approached recently by a medical marijuana operation. LeBeau's district includes East Hartford and East Windsor.
"It's totally premature," he said Wednesday. "This is a long, long process ... and we're still a long way" from approving growing operations and dispensaries.
LeBeau said everything in a legal grow house "would be very controlled to the highest standards and highly scientific. We're talking big bucks" for everything from security to horticulture staff and the energy to pay for the grow lights. "It's a major investment."
The draft regulations set up by the Department of Consumer Protection, which is charged with adopting the standards, call for a producer application fee of $25,000 and an additional $75,000 for approved applications before a prospective grower can receive a license.
"Everything is in a holding pattern," Claudette Carveth, spokeswoman for the Department of Consumer Protection, said.
She said the draft regulations have been submitted to a legislative committee that will meet Aug. 27.
Once the regulations governing Connecticut's medical marijuana law are approved, the Department of Consumer Protection "is in a position to have applications ready," Carveth said. "We're well placed, pending the outcome.
News Hawk- Truth Seeker 420 MAGAZINE ®
Source: journalinquirer.com
Author: Gail Montany and Harlan Levy
Contact: Contact - Journal Inquirer: Site
Website: Officials eager to welcome medical marijuana growers - Journal Inquirer: Page One
