Orange Approves Marijuana Dispensary

ORANGE, CT — The Town Planning and Zoning Commission voted to approve a hybrid recreational and medical marijuana dispensary on the Boston Post Road. The site at 175 Boston Post Road is a former bank.

The final vote was 3-2, according to the New Haven Register. One condition of approval was for the applicant, Southern CT Health and Wellness, to amend its plans and close one of two driveways off Lindy Street.

TPZC held several meetings about the application over the course of months, some of which became highly contentious. A number of neighbors urged TPZC not to approve the dispensary, citing worry about their children. Other neighbors voiced concern about potential traffic issues on Lindy Street.

Applicant attorney Marjorie Shanksy urged TPZC members to consider the application based on its merits, and not on speculation.

Orange enacted a moratorium one year ago to study the issue. There were multiple public hearings, but no members of the public attended, Commissioner Kevin Cornell said during an October meeting. The commission had a split vote and decided to allow dispensaries as a special use permit.

The dispensary will be operated by Green Thumb Industries, which also operates facilities in Branford and Westport. The company acquired the Southern CT Wellness location in Milford.

The Milford location has too many tenants and not enough parking at the New Haven Avenue location, said Green Thumb Industries Municipal Compliance Director Annemarie Zsamba at an October meeting.