{"id":783,"date":"2021-08-29T14:16:47","date_gmt":"2021-08-29T14:16:47","guid":{"rendered":"http:\/\/CAIiEFYPM7r4Zde5-urqc9BNfbMqGQgEKhAIACoHCAownuf9CjC99vUCMM-72gU"},"modified":"2021-08-29T14:16:47","modified_gmt":"2021-08-29T14:16:47","slug":"orange-considers-allowing-retail-marijuana-sales-with-added-regulation-new-haven-register","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/thcinct.com\/?p=783","title":{"rendered":"Orange considers allowing retail marijuana sales, with added regulation – New Haven Register"},"content":{"rendered":"
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ORANGE \u2014 With the state\u2019s legalization of recreational marijuana, the Town Plan & Zoning Commission is grappling with whether to prohibit the retail sale of the drug or create regulations to control it.<\/p>\n

They also have the option of doing nothing, which would allow sales in a retail zone without restrictions, but that was taken off the table.<\/p>\n

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The planners, it appears, are leaning toward creating regulations for the sale of marijuana that might include signage and rules concerning proximity to certain establishments, such as schools and houses of worship.<\/p>\n

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Selectman Mitch Goldblatt said he\u2019s all for a pending measure to ban the smoking of marijuana and tobacco on town property and in outdoor dining settings \u2014 but he believes marijuana should be sold in town, with regulations, because the town allows stores that sell other products many find objectionable, including liquor, guns, cigarettes and cigars, and tattoos.<\/p>\n

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Goldblatt said Orange also has pharmacies and the sale of cannabis will be \u201chighly regulated\u201d just like the drugs sold there.<\/p>\n

There also will be a financial benefit to the town, with a special 3 percent tax on sales, per state regulations. Goldblatt said that \u201cadds up.\u201d<\/p>\n

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The question of whether to ban or regulate sale of the product will get further discussion \u2014 two of the five PZC members were absent at an August meeting \u2014 and then Town Attorney Vincent Marino will be asked to draft a resolution that will be brought to public hearing for residents.<\/p>\n

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Meanwhile, the Board of Selectman is poised at a public hearing scheduled for Sept 8 to ban the smoking of marijuana and tobacco on property owned by the town, as well as at outdoor dining settings at restaurants.<\/p>\n

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Selectmen will vote on the proposed measure after hearing comments from the public at the hearing, to be held at 7 p.m. in the cafeteria at High Plains Community Center.<\/p>\n

Goldblatt, who made comments at the meeting in favor of allowing sales, said it would be \u201cshortsighted\u201d to ban retail sale of marijuana because small businesses are good for the town and that tax would bring in money.<\/p>\n

After a discussion among PZC members at an August meeting, chairman Oscar \u201cOzzie\u201d Parente said it \u201csounds like\u201d his commission doesn\u2019t want to do nothing and doesn\u2019t want to prohibit it, so they need regulations that could include conditions such as prohibiting sales in close proximity to schools and\/or houses of worship.<\/p>\n

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