Simsbury Marijuana Decision: Voters Say 'No'

SIMSBURY, CT — Simsbury residents of legal age can still get high at home following the state's recent legalization of recreational marijuana.

But after Tuesday's referendum question on whether legally selling recreational pot should be allowed in Simsbury, folks likely won't be able to buy their cannabis in town.

With an unofficial vote of 2,817 "yes" votes and 3,379 "no" votes, referendum voters said "no" to legal marijuana sales within Simsbury borders, according to the Simsbury Town Clerk's Office Wednesday morning.

The question simply read: "Shall the sale of recreational marijuana be allowed in the Town of Simsbury?"

The vote was meant to give town leaders direction, once and for all, about where townspeople stood on an issue that has divided both residents and officials alike.

For some towns in Connecticut, the state's recent legalization of recreational marijuana has been an offer to expand local tax revenue.

But others, like Simsbury, had been undecided.

At issue is if Simsbury wanted the added tax revenue and business development associated with a now-legal product or if Simsbury was wary of the implications easy access to pot could pose on members of the community.

With Tuesday's vote, town officials — especially on Simsbury's land-use boards — now must formally tweak zoning regulations regarding cannabis sales in town.

While not binding, Tuesday's referendum outcome was meant to give town officials the final, necessary input on the matter they have desired.

Last February, selectmen voted to extend a moratorium on retail pot stores, which were legalized by the state at the start of the year, into 2024.

The goal then was to buy more time for the town to figure out what it wanted to do.

Last winter, the topic of pot stores in Simsbury divided the public with many testifying at public hearings for both sides of the equation.

Over the summer, Simsbury resident Tom Turner petitioned selectmen to put the measure on the ballot, a petition that was ratified and, on July 10, selectmen voted to put it up to the voters.

And the voters said "no."

From Nov. 6: 'Recreational Pot In Simsbury Goes Before Voters'