SOUTHBURY — Like other local towns, Southbury is considering a temporary pause on cannabis establishments as officials make sense of the new state law legalizing marijuana.
Southbury’s Land Use Department, led by Land Use Administrator Jessica Townsend, has produced a detailed Southbury cannabis guideline package that explains what the law is about, its effect on the town, and the local government process needed to produce precise and effective regulations.
“Southbury, like most communities in the state, are looking carefully at the new cannabis laws going forward,” Southbury First Selectman Jeffrey Manville said. “The guidelines were a collaborative effort of everyone in the Land Use department and they are the ones who suggested it.”
The guidelines are an attempt to educate residents and its business community about the new law, which Gov. Ned Lamont signed on June 22. The guidelines can be found in a town-produced pamphlet and on the town’s website.
“This is new territory for everyone and it’s important to have this information available for our residents,” Manville said.
Part of the town’s plan is a proposed ninth-month moratorium on cannabis establishments. This would give the town the “time needed to do research and produce the right regulations,” Manville said.
Danbury has taken a similar approach, approving a one-year moratorium in July. Ridgefield is considering doing the same. Newtown, however, has already banned recreational and medical marijuana establishments.
A public hearing on whether to implement a moratorium in Southbury is scheduled for Sept. 8.
“I think the moratorium is the right thing to do, to take the time to decide what the regs should say,” Manville said.
Zoning will play a large role in the implementation of the cannabis laws including limiting the amount and location of cannabis retailers, according to Southbury’s guidelines.
Until new regulations are determined, current rules allow cannabis retailers anywhere retailers are permitted by Southbury zoning regulations, including sections of Heritage Road, Main Street South, Strongtown Road and Southford Road.
The state law limits one cannabis retailer and one cannabis micro-cultivator for every 25,000 residents, meaning Southbury can 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 would be set for this second public hearing.
Zoning regulations may potentially allow a town to opt-out and prohibit cannabis retailers from opening, restrict retailers hours and signage, and restrict how close a cannabis retailer may operate to places like churches and hospitals.
Feedback to the guidelines have been positive, said Kevin Bielmeier, economic development director.
“It’s been a benefit to businesses and residents to have these cannabis guidelines widely shared and available on our town website,” Bielmeier said. “I have already begun to receive interest from those who want to set up a cannabis-related business in Southbury. When I’ve provided them these guidelines the feedback has been overwhelmingly positive.”
While Manville is taking a wait-and-see approach with the cannabis state law, he said he is disappointed with some inconsistencies related to where marijuana is permitted.
“It’s important to take the time, do some research and find out what is best for our town, for our residents,” he said. “Some people think the cannabis law is great, some people think it’s not so great. I don’t know the right answer, but it’s important to get as much information as we can and find out what the people expect.