Officials: Proposed dispensaries will improve economics

Medical marijuana designated stores could help local business

TORRINGTON — The establishment of medical marijuana dispensaries in the city could help increase business for nearby retail businesses or service companies. That was the economic message heard Wednesday, as the Planning and Zoning Commission approved three applications that were the subject of public hearings on March

14.“We’ve heard patients have to drive a long distance to

Bristol or

Waterbury” to fill their prescriptions, said

City Planner Martin

J. Connor.

By opening local dispensaries, Litchfield County residents could come to Torrington and bring revenue to the city, he said.

The three dispensaries approved include Healthport LLC, located at 61 Commercial Dr.; L&T West Haven LLC, at 3568 Winsted Road; and Litchfield County Wellness Center LLC at 398 Winsted Road. All three sites were rezoned under a new classification, Medical Marijuana Dispensary Overlay Zone. Healthport LLC is located in the industrial park, while the

“We’ve heard patients have to drive a long distance to Bristol or Waterbury” to fill their prescriptions. Martin J. Connor, city planner

remaining two sites were originally in the local business zone.

A fourth application for a dispensary was the subject of a public hearing Wednesday. Arrow Alternative Care, which would be owned by pharmacist Angelo DeFazio of Hartford, would be located at 683 Winsted Road. It is the only dispensary under consideration that is located in a retail center.

DeFazio, who owns two dispensaries in Hartford and Milford, told the commission that the proposed location is in an end unit in the retail center and would not affect the other businesses.

“There would be no smell. Nothing gets out,” DeFazio said. He noted that air filters would eliminate any odor that is created by marijuana leaves.

Connor read a memo submitted by Economic Development Director Erin Wilson, which stated that Torrington-based dispensaries would bring more Litchfield County residents into the community. She noted that hundreds of prescription holders leave the county at least once a month to travel to a dispensary outside the region. If a dispensary opens in the city, Wilson wrote, those patients would instead stay in the region.

The public hearing closed without any comment on the application. The nexy commission meeting is scheduled for May 9 at 7 p.m.