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New London ― A marijuana dispensary company received approval Thursday by the Planning and Zoning Commission to open a retail cannabis store on Bank Street.
Curaleaf’s Joint Venture will be able to open its shop at 595 Bank St., the vacant former home of Fall River Pawn Brokers, should it obtain a retail cannabis license from the state Department of Consumer Protection. Curaleaf is a national company that operates multiple marijuana dispensaries in Connecticut, including one in Groton.
The commission gave the applicant six months to get the required state permit or else its approval will become void.
Patrik Jonsson, who represents Curaleaf’s Joint Venture and is the former regional president of Curaleaf, was present at the meeting. Jonsson agreed to being okay with the condition and said because it is a joint venture with social equity partners, it is guaranteed an opportunity to get a permit.
A social equity partner is a business entity approved by the Social Equity Council portion of the state recreational cannabis law that gives preference to license applicants who locate retail establishments in cities designated as disproportionately affected by the so-call war on drugs, including New London.
Three months ago, the applicant faced a zoning hurdle that prevented it from getting approved.
In July, the Planning and Zoning Commission could not approve the site plan based on regulations passed earlier this year that would bar retail sale of marijuana “if the lot upon which said building or premises is located is within 500 feet from any lot on which is located a public or private school, library, public playground, park or recreational facility.”
At the closest point, the property for the proposed dispensary is 467 feet apart from the city-owned property where New London Birth to Age 8 Early Childhood Resource Center at B.P. Learned Mission is located. Separated by a four-lane roadway, the 40 Shaw St. school is home to pre-kindergarten and after school programs.
Curaleaf applied for an amendment to alter zoning regulations.
At a Sept. 1 meeting, the commission discussed the matter and settled on making it so “the main entrance” of a marijuana dispensary cannot be within within 500 feet of a school, library or park property.
On Thursday, the measurement was no longer a concern and commissioners moved on to ask the applicant about security details and disposal of its products. According to the city’s regulations, applicants for cannabis retail are required to submit a security plan along with its application.
Commissioner Adam Sprecace asked Jonsson if he intended to have a dedicated security stationed by the front door of the business as was stated in the original application.
Jonsson said yes and it is pretty typical to have someone at the door to check identifications.
“That is our primary duty, to check nobody walks through the door under 21,” Jonsson said, adding security will also “keep an eye out on everything happening right outside the premises.”
Sprecace also read from Curaleaf’s application and said, “at no point will the dumpster contain any expired or faulty cannabis products” and asked for more information.
Jonsson said it was a state requirement that did not allow them to sell those products and it would be sent back to the company or centralized facility it originated from. He said employees would have to “put it in a locked box” to assure it is not consumed.
If opened, Curaleaf’s property will be the second retail marijuana site in the city. The Planning and Zoning Commission approved a retail marijuana operation for 436 Broad St., in the Dollar General plaza off Colman Street.
H/T: www.theday.com
