Hearing on hybrid pot dispensary in Buckland Wednesday

Joseph Villanova, Journal Inquirer, Manchester, Conn.
·2 min read

Sep. 3—MANCHESTER — The Planning and Zoning Commission will hold a public hearing Wednesday night on a proposed cannabis dispensary on Buckland Street.

The applicant, Curaleaf, operates dispensaries in 17 states, including four in Connecticut in Groton, Hartford, Milford, and Stamford.

In July 2022, Curaleaf applied to open a hybrid retailer, which would sell cannabis for both medical and recreational uses, at the now closed and vacant Friendly's restaurant. The site is located next door to Chili's Restaurant and across the street from the entrance to Hobby Lobby and Pavilion Drive, which leads into the Shoppes at Buckland Hills Mall.

The application includes a site plan, detailing a floor plan and signage. No changes have been proposed to the building size, height, or location on the property.

If approved by the PZC, Curaleaf would not be able to operate the proposed facility without first obtaining a license from the state for such a hybrid retailer.

Following the state's legalization of recreational cannabis in July 2021, the state's Department of Consumer Protection opened applications for adult-use cannabis establishments in February. The state's Social Equity Council began issuing approvals in July.

In December 2021, the PZC voted 4-0 with one abstention to adopt zoning regulations to permit cannabis facilities, including retailers and cultivators, under a special permit.

Regulations on such facilities include restrictions to certain zones, minimum distances from places such as hospitals and schools, and hours of operation.

In June, the PZC unanimously approved an application from Fine Fettle for a recreational cannabis dispensary at 91 Hale Road, less than a mile from the Shoppes at Buckland Hills and in the same building as Leslie's Pool Supplies, on the opposite side of the mall area.

The applicant said in June that the company had submitted a licensing application with the Department of Consumer Protection, but could not provide a timeline on when the facility would open.

Joseph covers East Hartford and South Windsor. He joined the JI in July 2021. Joseph graduated from the University of Connecticut and he is an avid guitarist and coffee enthusiast.