Shoreline towns use moratoriums, ordinances to keep cannabis establishments out

Guilford, Madison and North Branford recently enacted moratoriums preventing cannabis establishments from opening in town for nine months to a year from now.

At the hearing, 15 of the 17 people who spoke opposed the regulation allowing establishments, including David Melillo, director of Clinton Human Services, and Vincent DeMaio, Clinton’s police chief.

DeMaio said he had a number of public safety concerns attached to the regulation, including the “severe black market” he said recreational cannabis would create.

Paige Checci, a Guilford resident with a master’s degree in medical cannabis science and therapeutics from the University of Maryland Baltimore, said she thinks the blanket moratorium denies opportunities to residents, especially entrepreneurs who want to apply for cannabis business licenses, in a recording of an Oct.

The moratorium in Guilford was approved unanimously until June 30, 2022, unless an earlier consensus is reached or the moratorium is amended or revoked.

Language was added regarding the commission not accepting permit applications for cannabis establishments, medical marijuana producers, dispensary facilities and/or retail or distribution.

Christine DeRosa is a shoreline reporter for Hearst Connecticut Media, focusing on education and youth.

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