{"id":1257,"date":"2021-09-21T21:30:56","date_gmt":"2021-09-21T21:30:56","guid":{"rendered":"http:\/\/CAIiEA8wDYq1zR6pqMOy6SGdqu4qGQgEKhAIACoHCAow8dv9CjDw5_UCMO_i1wU"},"modified":"2021-09-21T21:30:56","modified_gmt":"2021-09-21T21:30:56","slug":"cassetti-residents-at-odds-over-ansonias-proposed-moratorium-on-recreational-marijuana-sales-ctpost","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/thcinct.com\/?p=1257","title":{"rendered":"Cassetti, residents at odds over Ansonia\u2019s proposed moratorium on recreational marijuana sales – CTPost"},"content":{"rendered":"
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ANSONIA \u2014 Second Ward Alderman Bill Phipps said he\u2019s heard stories of well-dressed people with nice cars over the border in Massachusetts, willing to wait in line to buy recreational marijuana at dispensaries.<\/p>\n

Phipps wants that for Ansonia as well.<\/p>\n

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\u201cIf we can get a piece of that action without harm, I’d say go for it,\u201d Phipps said.<\/p>\n

Phipps was one of several speakers at a public hearing Monday before the Planning and Zoning Commission, which is considering whether to implement a temporary moratorium on the sale of recreational marijuana in Ansonia.<\/p>\n

But many residents at the meeting were against the moratorium and raised concern that if the city does not accept applications for opening a dispensary it will risk losing out on much needed economic growth.<\/p>\n

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The moratorium, which Economic Development Director Sheila O\u2019Malley said was drafted at the request of the Ansonia Police Department, could be decided on next week.<\/p>\n

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It means that the city would not accept or process any applications to open a business that sells recreational marijuana. If approved, it will be in effect for nine months from the date it was passed. The moratorium would give the city time to figure out if a dispensary is beneficial to residents and if so, to draft up sale regulations.<\/p>\n

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The city\u2019s reluctance to allow applications for recreational marijuana sales is in stark contrast to the administration\u2019s pro business initiatives. Ansonia has welcomed new businesses over the years \u2014 most recently a Mexican restaurant and a deli \u2014 and the planned redevelopment of Ansonia Copper and Brass<\/a> has been a point of pride for Mayor David Cassetti.<\/p>\n

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Yet Cassetti said after the meeting that he is against recreational marijuana sales.<\/p>\n

\u201cI just don’t want to see the city turn into a place where they sell marijuana, where people will come. It\u2019s like a methadone clinic. But we do have it up at Wakelee Avenue. Because you get undesirable people,\u201d Cassetti said.<\/p>\n

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Cassetti also said that while he has heard sales will be highly regulated, he isn\u2019t convinced that any recreational cannabis sales would be good for the city. While he also acknowledged that marijuana isn\u2019t a harmful drug, he said a moratorium would give the city time to figure out if it is a good idea to allow for a dispensary.<\/p>\n

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But John Feddern, a resident and a Democratic alderman candidate for the 1st Ward, said that such a ban would make the city miss out on opportunities to attract business to the city.<\/p>\n