Farmington Adopts Medical Marijuana Moratorium

After a quick public hearing Monday night in front of a small audience of presenters and a television camera, the Farmington Town Planning and Zoning Commission unanimously passed a six-month moratorium on medical marijuana facilities.

That means that medical marijuana production facilities and dispensaries cannot open in Farmington for the duration of the moratorium. 

The state Department of Consumer Protection released medical marijuana regulations in September, setting a two-month deadline for applications for the  facilities, according to the town.

But the commission members want town staff to have adequate time to research the new state laws and options for the town before adopting regulations on the topic. 

"All the commissioners were in agreement with it, that we have to come up with rules to protect the town," Commission Chairman Phil Dunn said, noting that the commission feels six months will give Town Planner Robert Phillips enough time to do that.

While the commission has not received any formal applications, Phillips said that he has gotten one inquiry on opening a medical marijuana facility in Farmington. 

Dunn said that when town staff has concluded its review, the commission will discuss the findings and regulations Farmington should enact regarding medical marijuana facilities. If it takes less than six months for town staff to do the research and come up with a draft, it's possible that the commission would revisit the moratorium and consider lifting it early.

Farmington is one of many towns in Connecticut enacting a moratorium on medical marijuana facilities.  West Hartford's Town Council recently adopted a nine-month moratorium. Avon's Planning and Zoning Commission is scheduled to discuss its options at a meeting Tuesday, Oct. 29 at 7:30 p.m. in the Selectmen's Chambers at Avon Town Hall, building 1. 

Once the moratorium expires, would you support a medical marijuana facility moving into Farmington? Why or why not? Tell us in the comments!