GREENWICH — The town Planning and Zoning Commission is asking for public comment on whether Greenwich should ban the sale of cannabis within the community or not.
Gov. Ned Lamont signed a law allowing the sale of recreational marijuana in Connecticut that took effect July 1, and the law gives local municipalities wide latitude on whether to permit cannabis sales.
The Greewnich planning and zoning commission is considering an amendment to the town’s zoning code that would “prohibit the establishment” of any store or business selling recreational marijuana within the town.
The public can weigh in on the question at the upcoming planning and zoning commission. The meeting will be by a teleconferenced call beginning at 5 p.m. Wednesday. The commission has a number of other agenda items to review before opening public comments.
First Selectman Fred Camillo stated he wanted the town administration to take a “cautious” approach on the question of recreational marijuana sales, noting that there had been reports of negative outcomes in other states that have permitted sales. Camillo voted against the sale of recreational marijuana when he was a state lawmaker considering an earlier bill in Hartford.
Retail sales are not expected to begin in the state until late 2022, and a number of questions about the new law are still being addressed by local officials, potential business operators and consumers.
The planning and zoning commission is the town governmental agency that can prohibit retail sale of cannabis.
Some communities in the state may put the question to voters in the form of a referendum.
Connecticut is the 18th state in the nation to allow recreational marijuana sales to adults, and the state will gain a new source of income from sale taxes on the product, supporters say.
In passing the law, Lamont stated, “The states surrounding us already, or soon will, have legal adult-use markets. By allowing adults to possess cannabis, regulating its sale … we’re not only effectively modernizing our laws and addressing inequities, we’re keeping Connecticut economically competitive with our neighboring states.”
To open a dispensary, vendors need “any necessary local zoning authority” before opening up for business, according to the law.