{"id":2763,"date":"2021-12-02T23:57:03","date_gmt":"2021-12-02T23:57:03","guid":{"rendered":"http:\/\/CAIiEGaqnoFC6CX4myw2r7pCyIsqGQgEKhAIACoHCAow8dv9CjDw5_UCMO_i1wU"},"modified":"2021-12-02T23:57:03","modified_gmt":"2021-12-02T23:57:03","slug":"bridgeport-restricts-legalized-pot-to-adult-entertainment-areas-ctpost","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/thcinct.com\/?p=2763","title":{"rendered":"Bridgeport restricts legalized pot to ‘adult entertainment’ areas – CTPost"},"content":{"rendered":"
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BRIDGEPORT \u2014 Despite efforts by state lawmakers to de-criminalize and de-stigmatize the recreational use of marijuana, Connecticut\u2019s largest city is, for now, treating pot like porn and similarly tucking away the new industry in the few neighborhoods set aside for adult entertainment.<\/p>\n

\u201cIt\u2019s absolutely asinine,\u201d local state Rep. Steven Stafstrom said Thursday after learning of the decision. \u201cThese should be in our major commercial corridors.\u201d<\/p>\n

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Stafstrom, a Democrat, is co-chairman of the Connecticut General Assembly\u2019s Judiciary Committee and helped spearhead passage in June of legislation legalizing cannabis for adults age 21 and up. He and other proponents have touted the economic benefits of a thriving marijuana industry that rivals neighboring states\u2019.<\/p>\n

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\u201cBridgeport would be allowed up to five retail establishments – one per every 25,000 residents,\u201d Stafstrom explained Thursday. \u201cThe city will receive a three percent tax on all sales at the five establishments.\u201d<\/p>\n

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There could be an unlimited number of growers, he said.<\/p>\n

But in a last-minute decision Monday, the Planning and Zoning Commission before passing a comprehensive rewrite of Bridgeport\u2019s entire zoning code, amended that proposal to restrict cannabis cultivators and retailers to the same heavily-industrialized areas where strip clubs and adult stores are forced to do business.<\/p>\n

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The new code takes effect this coming Jan. 1. Bridgeport technically does not have an \u201cadult business\u201d zone, but such establishments can currently only open in heavy industrial zones. Some strip clubs do exist on more commercial blocks like Fairfield Avenue in Stafstrom\u2019s district, but those were grandfathered in when the regulations were toughened about a decade ago.<\/p>\n

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Before Monday\u2019s change, the draft regulations crafted by the city\u2019s Office of Planning and Economic Development (OPED) treated pot dispensaries as a \u201ccontrolled use\u201d and the same as liquor stores. Applicants would have had to satisfy the same list of detailed criteria<\/a>, including being 750 feet from schools, day cares and houses of worship, and not negatively impacting the surrounding neighborhood or future development.<\/p>\n

And growers under OPED\u2019s proposal would have been able to operate anywhere indoor agriculture will be allowed.<\/p>\n

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It was Zoning Commission member Robert Filotei, a Republican and a constituent of Stafstrom\u2019s, who prompted the revision. He said he did not want to \u201ckill\u201d the cannabis business but felt it premature to pass local regulations allowing it.<\/p>\n

\u201cOur neighboring communities have all pretty much put moratoriums on (marijuana sales) or not addressed the issue yet,\u201d Filotei told his colleagues during Monday\u2019s teleconference. \u201cWe\u2019re opening up our arms to the world to come to Bridgeport, if and when it happens.\u201d<\/p>\n

Recreational-use sales are expected to begin by the end of 2022 after state regulators iron-out some additional details and then award licenses through a lottery system.<\/p>\n

Filotei cited past strong neighborhood opposition to applications for medical marijuana dispensaries that came before the commission. But during two public hearings on the citywide zoning overhaul last month no one raised that topic, with dozens of speakers instead focused on a completely different issue \u2014 preserving the 420 acre Remington Woods from future development<\/a>.<\/p>\n

His fellow commissioners Monday sought to at least temporarily appease Filotei\u2019s concerns until they could have a more in-depth future discussion.<\/p>\n

\u201cWhat would be the harm in restricting it right now to the adult entertainment area?\u201d asked Zoning Commission Chairman Mel Riley, who is also a Republican.<\/p>\n

\u201cI don\u2019t have a problem with that,\u201d Filotei said.<\/p>\n

The change did not receive push-back from OPED staff. That department\u2019s deputy director, William Coleman, advised commission members that in the coming weeks he would be able to share with them the five locations where, under OPED\u2019s original approach to legalized pot, dispensaries would likely be able to open.<\/p>\n

\u201cWe are certainly willing to revisit the topic in more detail than perhaps tonight,\u201d Coleman said.<\/p>\n

And municipal attorney Russell Liskov emphasized commission members could subsequently always vote to amend the restrictions approved Monday based on any new information.<\/p>\n

Stafstrom on Thursday said he had previously met with OPED a few weeks ago over some of the proposed zoning code alterations and \u201cwas fine with\u201d that department\u2019s handling of legalized cannabis.<\/p>\n

\u201cI think it encouraged economic opportunity for the city in this burgeoning industry and I am extremely disappointed to learn the zoning commission monkeyed with it,\u201d he said.<\/p>\n