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September 30, 2021

Here’s why one CT town is considering a moratorium on cannabis sales

Journal Inquirer South Windsor Town Hall
By Sean Teehan

South Windsor's Planning and Zoning Commission is planning to hold a public hearing on a potential cannabis retail sales moratorium, following decisions in more than a dozen other municipalities to pause or ban the industry.

During a meeting Tuesday night, Planning and Zoning officials in South Windsor said they would schedule a public hearing on whether to enact a one-year moratorium on cannabis sales before they vote on the matter. 

In an interview Wednesday, commission Chair Bart Pacekonis said the moratorium could allow planning and zoning officials more time to get public feedback for potential restrictions on cannabis retailers before any set up shop there.

"When this law was passed, it wasn't passed with any [planning and zoning] guidelines from the state," Pacekonis said. "This is something that we want the chance to hear more from the public about."

Pacekonis said the board sent the moratorium language to the Capitol Region Council of Governments for review. South Windsor's P&Z Commission hasn't yet set a date for a public hearing, but is scheduled to meet next on Oct. 12.

Asked if planning and zoning officials worry about scaring off cannabis retailers that might be interested in opening stores in South Windsor -- and thereby paying the town a 3% tax on sales -- Pacekonis said the possibility of marijuana money isn't really factoring into the board's decision making on whether or not to pause cannabis sales.

"I'm more interested in getting it right rather than the funds that could go to the town," Pacekonis said. 

Connecticut's legalization of adult-use cannabis went into effect July 1, but legal retail sales of the drug won't go into effect until the state sets up a regulatory regime and licenses producers and retailers. Michelle Seagull, commissioner of the state Consumer Protection Commissioner — the cannabis industry's primary regulator — has said she thinks sales will commence toward the end of next year.

South Windsor would be the latest in a string of communities in Greater Hartford and beyond that set at least temporary bans on cannabis retail since legalization passed into law. Earlier this month Windsor's Planning and Zoning Commission enacted a four-month moratorium on recreational cannabis sales, while Enfield officials passed an ordinance banning adult-use cannabis establishments altogether.

The state's legalization statute allows cities and towns to amend their zoning regulations to prohibit adult-use cannabis businesses from opening, restrict hours and signage and restrict their proximity to certain establishments like churches and schools.

Other communities that have set either temporary or permanent bans include Thomaston, Trumbull, Wallingford, Waterbury, among others.

Other communities, however, have been open to adult-use cannabis sales within their borders. Town officials in Newington and Windham approved medical dispensary Fine Fettle to operate as a hybrid medical/adult-use retailer, pending state approval of its license expansion.
 

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