Southbury has followed the lead of other Connecticut municipalities when it comes to the state legalizing marijuana by putting a pause on cannabis establishments.
The Southbury Zoning Commission made it official at a meeting earlier this month. After hearing from Southbury residents, the Zoning Commission voted unanimously in favor of a proposed temporary moratorium on cannabis establishments.
In the minutes of the special meeting, Zoning Commission Chairman Gary Giroux said there is now a nine month moratorium in place, allowing the commission time to write regulations and determine where establishments could occur in town and in what zones.
Southbury is among other municipalities in the area that have taken a similar approach and in July approved a one-year moratorium.
“This moratorium allows us to take our time do the research and produce proper regulations that make sense for our town,” Southbury First Selectman Jeffrey Manville said. “We are looking closely at the new cannabis laws.”
The Southbury cannabis moratorium allows the town to defer any decisions on regulations and establishments until June 2022.
Southbury Economic Development Director Kevin Bielmeier is in favor of the moratorium.
“Regarding the new state law around recreational cannabis, I think the decision by the Zoning Commission for a moratorium was appropriate,” Bielmeier said. “It was longer than what I would have purposed, which is 6 months.
“But it provides the town time to study the impacts, positive and negative, of this new enterprise, and allows us to learn what the residents of Southbury want. As soon as the law was signed, I received interest in commercial cannabis establishments.”
Bielmeier believes taking advantage of the medical marijuana market makes the best sense for Southbury.
“From an economic development perspective, I believe that a medical marijuana dispensary makes sense in Southbury,” Bielmeier said. “There is a market and a need for one here. I also believe that a majority of the community would be supportive of such a use.”
Until the Southbury Zoning Commission regulations are determined, current rules allow cannabis retailers anywhere retailers are permitted by Southbury zoning regulations. This would include sections of Main Street South, Strongtown Road, Heritage Road and Southford Road.
The state law limits one cannabis retailer and one cannabis micro-cultivator for every 25,000 residents, allowing Southbury to have one of each.
Another public hearing would be needed to address any additions or changes to zoning regulations when it comes to cannabis. A date will be set for a second public hearing.
Giroux, Manville and Bielmeier all welcome input from the public as the Zoning Commission moves forward with its cannabis research and planning.
