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The Simsbury Zoning Commission sought public feedback at its Nov. 19 on how to proceed with local regulations for recently state-approved medical marijuana. Though not federally approved, Connecticut became one of several states to pass such laws, which took effect Oct. 1. It approves use of marijuana for some medical uses, such as cancer, AIDS, glaucoma, multiple sclerosis and Parkinson's disease.
"We're not trying to challenge the spirit of the law," said Commission Chairman Robert Pomeroy Jr. during the Nov. 19 meeting at town hall. "The state has approved this to make it available, so we don't want to be obstructionist."
Nonetheless, Pomeroy said the commission wants to avoid what he says occurred in California, and instead make it clear that not just anyone can distribute medical marijuana in Simsbury.
"Not like California, where the law passed and everyone was a pharmacist," said Pomeroy.
Patients are required to have a doctor's authorization to use medical marijuana, it was noted.
Pomeroy said because medical marijuana use has not been approved by federal law, in states where it is approved it must be produced and sold within state borders.
The commission plans to hold a future hearing on the matter. According to Town Planner Hiram Peck, by July the state has to have rules for use drafted. Thus, he advised that it would be wise before then for the town to set up its own local regulations.
In addition to regulating where and who can dispense it locally, the commissioners expect to mull the possibility of Simsbury becoming one of ten designated medical marijuana grower locations in the state. That possibility was raised by the only member of the public who spoke among the three who turned out for the discussion.
"There's lots of farmland in Simsbury," said Charles Wolfe.
Pomeroy acknowledged that because of the extensive, rich, farmland in town, patients beyond those in Simsbury potentially stand to benefit from the new law. The state's approval of medical marijuana use followed Connecticut's decriminalization of the use of small amounts of marijuana for recreation in 2011.
Commission members said some well-known area tobacco growers may be interested in expanding to grow the medical marijuana.
It is unclear, if the town does not establish a defined permitted use for growing marijuana, if that would mean it could not be grown in town, or if that would mean the town would not have control over the growing, according to Peck. He said he will seek further information on that question from the town attorney.
The new state law requires that anyone who wants to sell or use medical marijuana to get state approval and then register with the state. However, Peck noted towns such as Torrington, Middletown and Canton have already established their own regulations.
"Canton beat us to it," said Peck.
In September, Canton's Zoning Commission adopted regulations stipulating that in Canton, medical marijuana can only be sold within a pharmacy and would require a special exception application. Peck and commission members said Canton is considering regulations to limit growing medical marijuana to indoors, in the town's industrial zones.
News Hawk- TruthSeekr420 420 MAGAZINE
Source: registercitizen.com
Author: Jacqueline Bennett
Contact: Northwest Connecticut News - Northwest CT News - Litchfield County News | The Register Citizen
Website: Simsbury Zoning Commission mulls local regulations for medical marijuana while complying with new state laws- The Register Citizen
"We're not trying to challenge the spirit of the law," said Commission Chairman Robert Pomeroy Jr. during the Nov. 19 meeting at town hall. "The state has approved this to make it available, so we don't want to be obstructionist."
Nonetheless, Pomeroy said the commission wants to avoid what he says occurred in California, and instead make it clear that not just anyone can distribute medical marijuana in Simsbury.
"Not like California, where the law passed and everyone was a pharmacist," said Pomeroy.
Patients are required to have a doctor's authorization to use medical marijuana, it was noted.
Pomeroy said because medical marijuana use has not been approved by federal law, in states where it is approved it must be produced and sold within state borders.
The commission plans to hold a future hearing on the matter. According to Town Planner Hiram Peck, by July the state has to have rules for use drafted. Thus, he advised that it would be wise before then for the town to set up its own local regulations.
In addition to regulating where and who can dispense it locally, the commissioners expect to mull the possibility of Simsbury becoming one of ten designated medical marijuana grower locations in the state. That possibility was raised by the only member of the public who spoke among the three who turned out for the discussion.
"There's lots of farmland in Simsbury," said Charles Wolfe.
Pomeroy acknowledged that because of the extensive, rich, farmland in town, patients beyond those in Simsbury potentially stand to benefit from the new law. The state's approval of medical marijuana use followed Connecticut's decriminalization of the use of small amounts of marijuana for recreation in 2011.
Commission members said some well-known area tobacco growers may be interested in expanding to grow the medical marijuana.
It is unclear, if the town does not establish a defined permitted use for growing marijuana, if that would mean it could not be grown in town, or if that would mean the town would not have control over the growing, according to Peck. He said he will seek further information on that question from the town attorney.
The new state law requires that anyone who wants to sell or use medical marijuana to get state approval and then register with the state. However, Peck noted towns such as Torrington, Middletown and Canton have already established their own regulations.
"Canton beat us to it," said Peck.
In September, Canton's Zoning Commission adopted regulations stipulating that in Canton, medical marijuana can only be sold within a pharmacy and would require a special exception application. Peck and commission members said Canton is considering regulations to limit growing medical marijuana to indoors, in the town's industrial zones.
News Hawk- TruthSeekr420 420 MAGAZINE
Source: registercitizen.com
Author: Jacqueline Bennett
Contact: Northwest Connecticut News - Northwest CT News - Litchfield County News | The Register Citizen
Website: Simsbury Zoning Commission mulls local regulations for medical marijuana while complying with new state laws- The Register Citizen
