{"id":4100,"date":"2021-06-23T07:00:00","date_gmt":"2021-06-23T07:00:00","guid":{"rendered":"http:\/\/CBMiWmh0dHBzOi8vd3d3LmN0cG9zdC5jb20vbmV3cy9hcnRpY2xlL1RoaXMtQ1QtdG93bi1pcy1iYW5uaW5nLXdlZWQtZGlzcGVuc2FyaWVzLTE2MjY3ODQ1LnBocNIBAA"},"modified":"2021-06-23T07:00:00","modified_gmt":"2021-06-23T07:00:00","slug":"this-ct-town-is-banning-weed-dispensaries-heres-why-ct-post","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/thcinct.com\/?p=4100","title":{"rendered":"This CT town is banning weed dispensaries. Here’s why. – CT Post"},"content":{"rendered":"
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PROSPECT \u2014 While Gov. Ned Lamont on Tuesday signed the bill to legalize recreational marijuana in the state, town officials last week voted to at least temporarily ban any recreational facilities from opening up here.<\/p>\n

Robert Chatfield, who has served as Prospect\u2019s mayor for 44 years, said the town\u2019s Planning & Zoning Commission voted unanimously on June 16 to prohibit any recreational establishment from opening shop.<\/p>\n

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The unanimous vote came a day before the state Senate voted on the final approval of the bill on June 17. Chatfield said the decision is a six-month moratorium, following the passage of the bill.<\/p>\n

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Since recreational facilities would not be able to open in Connecticut until late 2022, it\u2019s not clear if the commission is planning to extend the ban.<\/p>\n

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Planning & Zoning officials could not immediately be reached for comment Wednesday.<\/p>\n

Lamont signed<\/a> the legislation Tuesday, legalizing possession and use of marijuana for adults ages 21 and older. The new law goes into effect in phases, starting July 1, when it will become legal for adults 21 and older to have an ounce-and-a-half of weed, as well as another five ounces in a locked container. The bill indicates retail sales are targeted to begin at the end of 2022.<\/p>\n

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While the Prospect Republican mayor said he wasn\u2019t involved in the Planning & Zoning Commission\u2019s decision, he does support it.<\/p>\n

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\u201cI\u2019m not in favor of it being in town,\u201d Chatfield said Tuesday, referencing recreational marijuana.<\/p>\n

He said he fully supports the state\u2019s medical marijuana program.<\/p>\n

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\u201cI have no problem with that,\u201d he said. Chatfield said he feels it\u2019s more regulated and he appreciates that it\u2019s helping those struggling with chronic issues or illnesses.<\/p>\n