The dispensary would be a pharmacy, essentially, for ill patients with prescriptions to obtain marijuana.
There are no concrete plans for such a store in Seymour. In fact, First Selectman Kurt Miller said Friday he doesn’t even know the name of the company looking for space.
But a lawyer from the law firm of Cohen and Wolf representing the unnamed entity is scheduled to discuss the matter at a Selectmen meeting scheduled for Tuesday, Nov. 19.
Click here for information from the state about its medical marijuana regulations.
The Valley Indy sent two e‑mails and left a voicemail with the law firm but did not hear back.
Background
Medical marijuana was made legal in Connecticut by a law passed in May 2012. Since then the state has been busy setting up a bevy of regulations and procedures to govern the new industry.
There are many companies looking to break into the marijuana business.
But, according to CT News Junkie, only three indoor commercial grow operations to produce the stuff will be allowed in Connecticut.
And there will be a handful of dispensaries, where patients can pick up their marijuana.
Click here for a good story on the subject from CT News Junkie.
Applications to obtain licenses for marijuana dispensaries are to be submitted to the state Department of Consumer Protection by Nov. 15.
Demand High Locally
Theresa Conroy is Seymour’s state representative in Hartford and closing out a two-year term on the Board of Selectmen. She also has decades of health care experience as a nurse.
Conroy said local officials don’t have much info on the specific application, but the company’s interest in Seymour must be strong if a lawyer is reaching out to talk.
“As a member of the BOS, I am charged with listening to the proposal, asking pertinent questions about the pros/cons for the community and if taken to vote, make an informed decision,” Conroy said in an e‑mail.
Conroy provided data showing the state is planning for three-to-five dispensaries, spread out over five-to-eight counties, to open in the state.
Seymour’s New Haven County, with 386 certified patients, has the highest number of patients, Conroy said. Tolland County has the smallest number of patients, with 30 people.
The Valley Indy asked Conroy whether Seymour residents would accept a marijuana dispensary. Conroy said a conversation will happen.
“I am sure that residents will be able to voice their opinions. I’m sure that we will hear loud and clear that there are other needs for our community, such as basics as another grocery store, retail shopping, etc.,” Conroy said.
Whaddaya Think?
Shelton and Ansonia have already passed moratoriums prohibiting marijuana-related businesses from submitting applications until those towns create zoning rules to govern the business.
Miller said there are pros and cons to medical marijuana dispensaries, but it makes no sense to judge it before hearing the details and asking questions — something town officials plan to do on Nov. 19.
That’s of course assuming the mystery marijuana backer doesn’t find another town before then. Click here for an overview about how towns are reacting to cannibas capitalists from the CT Post.
A lawyer from Cohen and Wolf was supposed to talk the Selectmen Nov. 6 but canceled because of a scheduling conflict.
Miller said he didn’t have any details on the size of the facility in mind or whether the company is looking at a specific location.
Why Seymour?
“Other towns have slapped a moratorium on this, but we haven’t, so maybe they took that as Seymour might be receptive to it,” Miller theorized.
So is Seymour receptive?
“I don’t know. Just in general conversation with the Selectmen, everybody is just wait and see,” Miller said.
“I can see it from both sides. From the economic development side, if there are only a few of these in the state, then you are going to drive thousands of people to this town that normally would not come to this town to get a small-quantity prescription filled. So there are benefits for smaller businesses such as gas stations, restaurants and stores,” he said.
On the other hand, there is a stigma and stereotype attached to marijuana use, even if its benefit for people with certain illnesses is now fact.
“It’s certainly been called a gateway drug,” Miller said. “But I think you and I both know that the Connecticut state legislature is well on its way to legalizing small amounts of marijuana. So, in five years, is that stigma gone and have we missed out on an opportunity to drive people to Seymour?”
Any application would have to face local zoning rules, Conroy said
“(The Department of Consumer Protection) has stated ‘that if no dispensary receives local municipal approval, the department will evaluate the situation at that time and take the steps it believes necessary and prudent to assure that sufficient dispensary facilities are ultimately approved to meet patient needs,’” Conroy said in an e‑mail.
