STAMFORD — Until now, Stamford had played it safe on cannabis.
In the absence of other cannabis regulations, state law still paves a path forward.
“A cannabis establishment shall be zoned as if for any other similar use, other than a cannabis establishment, would be zoned,” according to the law.
At that meeting, an existing medical dispensary, Fine Fettle Dispensary in Stamford’s Research Park, sought permission to become a “hybrid” one.
“The medical marijuana dispensary use already has limitations in terms of being only permitted in very few places and being strictly regulated,” she continued.
Though the Planning Board unanimously approved Fine Fettle’s application and it is slated to be heard by the zoning board in the coming weeks, the approval came with extensive debate.
Fine Fettle already has permission from town officials in Windham and Newington to sell recreational cannabis, according to chief operating officer Benjamin Zachs.
The conflicting requirements put operators like Fine Fettle in a complicated situation, especially as they move forward in the permitting process.
Stella has expressed concerns in the past over where people can smoke in Stamford, and in October 2021, he and former city Rep.
“I can tell you, if you come down to Leone Park at any given time, you can smell it,” he said.
Despite assurances from cannabis entrepreneurs like Zachs, who say dispensaries are “incredibly secure all over the country,” Stella wants to see more public debate over cannabis in Stamford.
Verónica Del Valle is a reporter covering growth and development for the Stamford Advocate and economic mobility for Hearst Connecticut Media Group.