Controversial Medical Marijuana Dispensary Approved by Milford PZB

MILFORD, CT - West River Street Resident Gail Haas said she and concerned residents are “disappointed” by Tuesday’s Planning and Zoning Board approval of a medical marijuana dispensary at 255 West River Street.

Haas said she felt “someone dropped the ball” which allows the dispensary to come into their residential neighborhood, the New Haven Register reports.

West River Street neighborhood residents flooded City Hall Tuesday night hoping the city would vote down the site plan, but that didn’t occur.

Residents are worried about having the dispensary near their residential neighborhood, which includes Mathewson School and a church.

The state and the city’s zoning enforcement officer had already approved the application earlier this year, and of the 17 proposals for new medical marijuana dispensaries in Connecticut, a staggering 9 were pitched for Milford, the Register reports.

The operator of the soon to open dispensary pledged that there will be extensive security there and that they just wants to help people who are sick, adds the Register.

On Friday, Mayor Benjamin G. Blake formally requested that the state Department of Consumer Protection (DPC) immediately review the license application for the proposed medical marijuana dispensary at West River Street.

The state agency head Jonathan Harris quickly responded to Blake and said the applicant acted in good faith, followed Milford’s zoning laws, which were among the most lenient in the state, and even had city zoning approval dating back to September 2015, the New Haven Register reported.

Blake had argued that the dispensary would be too close to a school and a church but the state disagreed with the mayor’s assertion, and noted the zoning enforcement officer for Milford had already approved the site location.

Milford zoning officials are eyeing new regulations that would make it tougher for new dispensary facilities to open in Milford including creating 1,000 foot buffers between dispensaries and schools.

This proposal could impact another dispensary pitched for New Haven Avenue, but won’t impact the West River Street site, which will soon become a reality.

Related stories:

• Milford Eyes Tougher Medical Marijuana Regulations
• Signs Protesting Milford Marijuana Dispensary Stolen, Neighbors Pelted with Eggs

Read the full New Haven Register story here.