Westport Planning and Zoning Commission Approves Two Dispensaries

The Westport Planning and Zoning Commission approved, in a unanimous vote, to allow two medical marijuana dispensaries in the town. The dispensaries must be in non-residential areas. They must also be at least 1,000 feet from any schools, churches, public parks/recreation areas and public buildings. These location restrictions leave about 60 properties to choose from.

Connecticut will not be regulating medical marijuana prices, according to Westport News.  In total, there will be 9 dispensaries permitted in Connecticut. Each will be allowed to set its own prices. Some patients may find it hard to afford their medicine.

Connecticut’s qualifying conditions list is quite restricted with some of the conditions being PTSD, cancer and Parkinson’s disease for adults. For children, cerebral palsy and cystic fibrosis are two approved conditions.

Cathy Walsh of the Planning and Zoning Commission wasn’t completely on board with allowing the dispensaries in Westport.

She said, “I don’t like it because I feel like we’re just catering to these two companies…if there were a larger pool of licenses, and if it were legal, I wouldn’t have an issue.”

Chip Stephens, Commissioner of the P&Z committee responded directly to Walsh by saying, “Cathy, you’re missing the point. This is for people that are racked with cancer. We’re accommodating these people and it has nothing to do with these two vendors. It has nothing to do with recreational. It has nothing to do with vendors. It has to do with compassion and helping people live out the last days of their lives and Westport is a very compassionate community.”

Commissioner Paul Lebowitz says the amendment is needed to prevent dispensaries from opening in “undesirable parts of town.”

Commissioner Danielle Dobin said, “The true beneficiaries here are those suffering illnesses and pain.”