State sets info session for towns on medical marijuana

What municipal officials like those in Fairfield may want to know about the state's emerging medical-marijuana industry will be discussed Thursday afternoon in the Capitol complex in Hartford.

Department of Consumer Protection Commissioner William M. Rubenstein will give a presentation on the new regulations governing growers and dispensaries and then answer questions.

"Municipalities have a range of concerns," Rubenstein said. "We're being pro-active and we want to be helpful to the towns."

Zoning and security concerns have arisen in communities across the state as a legal marijuana industry comes closer to reality.

Two applications have been filed to open medical marijuana dispensaries on the Post Road in Fairfield. A Town Plan and Zoning Commission hearing on a plan for 222 Post Road began last week and has been continued to next week. Review of the second application for a dispensary at 400 Post Road is on hold.

Cities such as Bridgeport and West Haven are supporting proposed marijuana-growing facilities within their borders. But communities like Ansonia and Shelton have adopted moratoriums on the industry, and Monroe is considering a moratorium.

Rubenstein's review will include a description of the illnesses eligible for patient participation in the program, which should be up and running with Connecticut-grown marijuana reaching dispensaries by next spring.

Licensed pharmacists are required to run the dispensaries, which along with the growers, will be chosen after an application deadline of Nov. 15. The state is planning to approve three growing facilities and three to five dispensaries.

Rubenstein said he expects to review the certification process, as well as security requirements and other issues that will be of interest to mayors, first selectmen and other town and city councils, as well as town managers, zoning officials and police departments. The meeting is open to the public.

Complete information for applicants is available at: http://1.usa.gov/PIzl4i