Two Simsbury Boards Set To Talk Legal Marijuana

Press release from the Town of Simsbury:

SIMSBURY, CT — November is a key month in Simsbury when it comes to figuring out how the town will welcome or prohibit establishments specializing in selling recreational marijuana.

Following a vote in the state legislature, the cultivation, sale, transport and distribution of adult use cannabis was permitted in Connecticut as of July, 1, 2021.

According to the town, the Simsbury Zoning Commission adopted a year-long moratorium on this matter effective Nov. 8, 2021 in order to establish a regulatory land use approach.

The zoning commission has planned two upcoming meetings on this topic, which will include the opportunity for public comment.

Both meetings will be held at the Simsbury Public Library, 725 Hopmeadow St. (Friends of the Library Program Room) at 7 p.m. They are:

• Wednesday, Nov. 2, 2022: Special meeting to consider an extension of the moratorium to give the town more time to mull how it will handle legal pot establishments.
• Monday, Nov. 21, 2022: Regular meeting to consider text amendments to the zoning regulations regarding cannabis establishments.

Members of the public can speak at the public hearings or submit written comments to jhollis@simsbury-ct.gov to be included with the record (written comments will not be read aloud).

The Simsbury Board of Selectmen has also planned a public hearing to receive public comment regarding whether the town should permit or prohibit the retail sale of cannabis within its borders. That meeting is on:

• Monday, Nov. 28: Public hearing to be held at 6 p.m. at the Simsbury Public Library, 725 Hopmeadow St. (Friends of the Library Program Room).

Members of the public may address the selectmen live in-person, or they may email townmanager@simsbury-ct.gov by noon on Nov. 23 to register to address selectmen live through Zoom. Alternatively, members of the public may email statements to townmanager@simsbury-ct.gov by noon on Nov. 23 to have their comments read into the record at the hearing.

Meanwhile, the Simsbury Board of Selectmen Sept. 28 created a work group to review the feasibility of establishing an ordinance to prohibit the use of tobacco, vaping and cannabis products on public property.

To sign up to receive information related to this work group, including meeting agendas and minutes, click here and select “Board of Selectmen - Subcommittees.”

As always, general comments may be sent to the full Simsbury Board of Selectmen here.

Individuals may also address selectmen at their regular meetings either live or through Zoom; meetings are typically scheduled on the second and fourth Mondays of the month beginning at 6 p.m.

Written public comments can be submitted to townmanager@simsbury-ct.gov.

This press release was produced by the Town of Simsbury. The views expressed here are the author’s own.