{"id":930,"date":"2021-09-05T10:07:30","date_gmt":"2021-09-05T10:07:30","guid":{"rendered":"http:\/\/CBMiW2h0dHBzOi8vd3d3Lm5ld3N0aW1lcy5jb20vbmV3cy9hcnRpY2xlL05ldy1GYWlyZmllbGQtem9uaW5nLW9mZmljaWFscy1hc2tzLWZvci0xNjQzNDgxMy5waHDSAVdodHRwczovL3d3dy5uZXdzdGltZXMuY29tL25ld3MvYW1wL05ldy1GYWlyZmllbGQtem9uaW5nLW9mZmljaWFscy1hc2tzLWZvci0xNjQzNDgxMy5waHA"},"modified":"2021-09-05T10:07:30","modified_gmt":"2021-09-05T10:07:30","slug":"new-fairfield-zoning-officials-asks-for-residents-feedback-on-retail-weed-establishments-danbury-news-times","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/thcinct.com\/?p=930","title":{"rendered":"New Fairfield zoning officials asks for residents\u2019 feedback on retail weed establishments – Danbury News Times"},"content":{"rendered":"
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NEW FAIRFIELD \u2014 With the recent legalization of recreational adult-use of marijuana in Connecticut, local zoning officials are trying to figure out what to do about retail cannabis in town.<\/p>\n

\u201cWe could put a moratorium on it and not deal with it for a period of time, we could do nothing … or we could say in our zoning regulations that we allow (or don\u2019t allow) dispensaries in our town,\u201d said John Moran, chairman of the Zoning Commission, which opened a public hearing on the issue Wednesday.<\/p>\n

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Municipalities across the state are deciding whether to allow retail cannabis businesses within their borders after the new law<\/a> went into effect in July.<\/p>\n

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The law allows people 21 and older to have 1.5 ounces of marijuana with them, up to five more ounces of marijuana in a secure location like their home or car, and for patients in Connecticut\u2019s medical marijuana program to have three mature marijuana plants and three smaller plants in their home \u2014 a provision extending to the general adult public in 2023.<\/p>\n

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It also allows for the opening of retail cannabis businesses \u2014 but only at the discretion of municipalities.<\/p>\n

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Some area towns have decided to prohibit cannabis enterprises looking to do business within their borders, while others like Danbury<\/a> have imposed temporary bans.<\/p>\n

No decision has been made in New Fairfield.<\/p>\n

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During the first public hearing, three residents shared their thoughts, with two arguing against retail cannabis.<\/p>\n

Resident Peter Lofaro asked the commission to consider measures like those enacted in Newtown, which became the first town in the area to prohibit cannabis establishments back in July<\/a>.<\/p>\n

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\u201cMy sincere hope is that we maintain the integrity of our town,\u201d he said.<\/p>\n

Lofaro said he worries that cannabis businesses could negatively affect property values in New Fairfield and that their presence could send the wrong message to families looking to move to town.<\/p>\n

\u201cMy biggest concern is the impact that businesses like this would have on our youth and our community, which is really the bedrock of New Fairfield,\u201d he said.<\/p>\n

Ball Pond Road resident Colleen Cox said she is \u201cvehemently against\u201d retail cannabis businesses in town and agrees with Lofaro.<\/p>\n

\u201cIt\u2019s about preserving the integrity of our community and our children,\u201d she said, citing concerns about marijuana being \u201ca gateway drug.\u201d<\/p>\n

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