STRATFORD — Land use officials in town are discussing possible regulations to allow for recreational cannabis dispensaries.
A “general discussion” of the issue is on the agenda for the Planning Commission’s meeting Tuesday.
Sales of recreational marijuana won’t begin anywhere in the state until at least next year, despite a law legalizing cannabis Gov. Ned Lamont signed in June.
In the meantime, many municipalities are issuing bans or moratoriums on the sale of the substance.
Stratford has not yet taken a position on allowing recreational marijuana sales. In May the Zoning Commission unanimously approved a $20 million pot production facility on Access Road — but for medicinal cannabis.
Zoning Commission members discussed the concept at a meeting last month before ultimately deferring to the Planning Commission for possible action.
Planning Commission Chairman Harold Watson said Monday he hadn’t done too much research on the issue yet and couldn’t say what direction Tuesday’s discussion would go.
The law gives towns a financial incentive to allow dispensaries in the form of a 3 percent municipal sales tax, though the cash comes with certain strings attached on how it’s spent. They can also charge dispensaries up to $50,000 for the first 30 days after opening to reimburse any added public safety costs, like needing cops to direct traffic.
The law also gives towns the option of banning cannabis use in public places — but with the caveat that those taking that step with populations of more than 50,000 have to designate a place where consumption is allowed.
Towns are also required to have a referendum on allowing pot sales if at least 10 percent of voters — in Stratford, that would be roughly 3,500 registered voters — sign a petition at least 60 days before a general election.
More specific guidelines from the state about governing pot sales have yet to be published, noted Zoning Commission lawyer Patricia Sullivan at last month’s meeting.
Current regulations call for a maximum of one dispensary for every 25,000 people in a municipality, which would limit Stratford to two, if they’re allowed at all.
“It’s going to be interesting how licenses will come out and then towns will either opt in or opt out,” she said.
She predicted town land use boards would eventually treat dispensaries similarly to liquor stores, though there won’t be anywhere near the same number of licenses initially.
“I’m not sure what the best approach is on this one,” Zoning Commission member Christopher Silhavey said.
“Send them to Planning,” Michael Henrick suggested.
“It’s probably not a bad idea to start the process of drafting some regulation,” Silhavey said, noting the state hasn’t yet come out with specifics. “I don’t know that we’re going to have them done quickly.”