Simsbury Zoning Commission Public Hearing Cannabis/Marijuana

Zoning Commission Public Hearing on Regulating Cannabis Establishments in Simsbury January 4, 2023

I am against increasing the distribution and sale of Cannabis/Marijuana in Simsbury.

With an increase of recreational Cannabis/Marijuana in many forms, so is there the availability of the Cannabis/Marijuana in the home with children consuming the substances leading to hospitalization and death.

A study, released in the journal Pediatrics, found that in 2017, there were just over 200 reported cases of accidental consumption of cannabis edibles by children under six. In 2021, the number shot up to 3,054 – an increase of 1,375%.

Federally insured banks will not accept money from Cannabis/Marijuana establishments and since the banks issue credit cards, the business cannot accept credit transactions.

As a cash business there are large amounts of cash on site, a perfect place for robberies.

The criminal element, with guns, will come to Simsbury as a perfect business to steal large amounts of cash.

The Cannabis/Marijuana business will have armed security in place to secure their activities.

Public Safety could be in jeopardy.

David Murray from the Hudson Institute wrote, “The “Colorado Experiment”: Legalized Marijuana’s Impact in Colorado.”

Not only did the promised benefits, both financial and on behalf of public safety, not come to pass, but in multiple areas of daily life the metrics have worsened.

Moreover, the data from Colorado have been accompanied by several years of greater medical science awareness of the health risks from marijuana exposure. Easier access, greater prevalence, higher psychoactive potency from increased THC, a continued criminal element, and more intensive daily use has all occurred since the experiment began.”

Venture Capital is promoting the increase of sales in Cannabis/Marijuana.

Hartford Courant, “Connecticut’s Venture Capital fund is among the first institutional investors to jump into the growing cannabis business, committing $1.25 million to a manufacturer of edibles intended to enhance energy, focus and mental health.”

Curaleaf LLC. Located in Simsbury at 34 Hopmeadow Street, headquartered in Wakefield, Massachusetts, Curaleaf has a presence in 21 states, and owns and operates 144 dispensaries and 29 cultivation sites with a focus on highly populated states including Arizona, Florida, Illinois, Massachusetts, New Jersey, New York, and Pennsylvania.

It is alleged that Curaleaf has many security cameras and armed guards on site.

Millions of dollars in lobbying efforts by Venture Capitalists will corrupt the system.

According to the CDC, using marijuana can lead to numerous adverse effects. Marijuana can significantly affect an individual's cognitive abilities, leading to poor memory and decision-making, loss of coordination and difficulty learning. Impaired cognition can lead to participation in risky behavior and poor life choices that can have serious consequences. Marijuana leads to negative effects on major organs such as the heart and lungs as it causes rapid heart rates, increased blood pressure and lung tissue damage. The substance increases the risk for the development of heart disease and strokes. Cannabis Hyperemesis Syndrome is a condition of severe nausea and vomiting, following marijuana use, which can cause abdominal pain, dehydration, esophagus inflammation or perforation, poor nutrition and tooth breakdown.

Using recreational marijuana can also lead to psychological effects. The CDC describes a correlation between marijuana use and mental illness including depression and anxiety. There can be both short-term effects such as altered perception of reality and paranoid thoughts, or long-term complications. The most alarming finding of side effects is that suicidal thoughts and attempts have been related to marijuana use.

Marijuana is a mind-altering drug causing serious Mental Health issues that will cause pain and suffering for years to come.

Andrew Glassman, Chair of Pullman & Comley’s Cannabis, CBD and Hemp practice, spoke to Fox61 Morning News about new business opportunities and workplace policies on the first day of the legalization of recreational marijuana in Connecticut.

Andrew Glassman is the husband of Mary Glassman.

Lawyers and Venture Capitalists should not set the policies for Simsbury.

What is the position of the Board of Education, Police Department and Social Services on this issue?

I am asking the Zoning Commission not to “kick the can down the road.”

It’s all about courage to say NO to the sale and distribution of Cannabis/Marijuana as many other towns have done.

The Zoning Commission should follow the lead of the other towns, including Avon, and include a ban on the sale of Cannabis/Marijuana in Simsbury.

The increased distribution, sale and use of Cannabis / Marijuana in Simsbury should be banned by the Zoning Commission.

It is time to vote on the issue with all the members on record with their vote.