LETTER: Enfield Democrats Support Allowing Cannabis Businesses

ENFIELD, CT — An open letter to Enfield voters:

The Town Council should allow cannabis businesses to compete in Enfield. Cannabis is a fast-growing economic sector. Tax revenue from cannabis companies can do a lot of good for our town. Cannabis businesses can coexist well alongside residential neighborhoods. Enfield should be working hard to attract innovative new businesses, not banning them without fully exploring what they have to offer the town.

In Connecticut, cannabis is projected to generate $750 million in sales by 2025. Under state law, towns will receive 3 percent of retail cannabis sales. This money can go to street improvements, neighborhood development, youth programs, addiction services, and a variety of civic engagement projects. The state will be overseeing and paying for the licensure of cannabis businesses, while towns reap a tax windfall.

Enfield should not turn away potential business partners without due consideration. Property tax income and job growth among the town’s largest employers have been declining for years. Cannabis jobs can play a part in growing Enfield back to what it once was. The jobs that cannabis businesses bring are stable and pay well. Accountants, lab workers, marketers, and tax experts make up more than half of the cannabis industry. The Town Council’s proposed ordinance doesn’t just outlaw these careers, but also cannabis producers, cultivators, retailers, dispensary facilities, food and beverage manufacturers, and product packagers. Choosing to miss out on these jobs is a mistake.

Enfield needs inventive solutions to tackle the issues it faces today. Closing off all access to what may soon be a $1 billion market is bad business sense. We should, at the very least, let interested cannabis companies submit proposals to set up shop in Enfield. This is the best of both worlds; Enfield doesn’t miss out on this roaring opportunity but can still decline if the proposal is not in the town’s best interest.

Competition is intrinsic to American society. Enfield should not strangle a thriving industry without giving them a fair chance to compete. We strongly urge the Town Council to allow cannabis businesses to earn their place in our town. We will all be better for it.

Respectfully,

Nick Hopkins, Candidate, Town Council District 4
Bob Cressotti, Town Councilor At-Large
Matt Despard, Candidate, Town Council District 3
John Santanella, Candidate,Town Council District 2
Gina Cekala, Town Councilor At-Large
Cindy Mangini, Town Councilor At-Large

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