Darien Officials, Police Support Banning Cannabis Establishments

DARIEN, CT — The Darien Planning & Zoning Commission held a public hearing last week on a proposed amendment that would prohibit cannabis establishments in town, including but not limited to dispensaries, growers, manufacturers, or retail establishments.

The hearing was part of the regularly scheduled Planning & Zoning Commission meeting on June 11, which was held in person at Town Hall and broadcast on Darien TV79.

Current zoning regulations do not permit cannabis establishments as part of a broader category of business, so the proposed amendment addresses cannabis establishments specifically.

The P&Z Commission did not take any action, and is expected to revisit the amendment at a future meeting.

Members of the commission expressed support for the amendment, as did Darien Police Commissioner Jeremiah P. Marron Jr. and First Selectman Jon Zagrodzky in submitted written comments.

"It is a fact, documented in several towns and cities across the country, that the opening of marijuana dispensaries in many cases have contributed to an increase in criminal activity in the immediate areas of the facilities themselves. I've also personally read about incidents of burglaries of these establishments as the suspects are clearly aware of the proceeds. Criminal acts of this nature put the public at risk and also our responding police officers," Marron wrote.

"As the chief of police, and from a public safety standpoint, I simply cannot and will not support any measure or action that potentially places our residents, or those visiting our community, in any unnecessary danger," Marron added, noting that allowing any cannabis establishment that would risk a rise in crime would not be in alignment with the town's Plan of Conservation and Development.

Zagrodzky, who has been vocal about not wanting cannabis establishments in town, wrote that he was worried that the long-term effects of cannabis use are not well understood, particularly in young people.

"Given this, I do not believe that as a town we should be lending legitimacy to these kinds of businesses," he wrote. "The state's elected officials have made the decision to permit the sale of recreational cannabis in Connecticut, and I respect that. These officials also gave towns the right to refuse the establishment of these businesses in their municipalities. As such, I strongly advocate saying no to cannabis in Darien."

One resident spoke in person during the brief public hearing.

Mark Sticca, a former captain with the Connecticut State Police and a member of the CT State Narcotics Task Force, commended the commission for "not caving into what has become a debacle for the state of Connecticut."

"It is a matter of public safety, health and welfare. These products, make no mistake, are targeted towards children, they are marketed towards children, they are marketed in the same way that big tobacco was marketed in the 80s and 90s," he said. "I commend your efforts for keeping our town clear of this scourge."

The June 11 Planning & Zoning Commission meeting can be viewed on demand on DarienTV79.