Town leaders want pot to be a ‘regulated experience’

NEW MILFORD — Chuckles greeted the announcement of item 10E at New Milford’s regular Town Council meeting Monday night as council members began to tackle a popular herbal topic they don’t usually discuss.

Council members discussed the state’s legalization of cannibis, which took effect July 1, and its implications for the town, parsing through what the law could mean for New Milford and how they should approach use and sale regulations.

Mayor Pete Bass said he’s looking for a “regulated experience that provides security for everyone.”

“It is now legal to smoke, so we just have to be cognizant and plan

ahead for kind of unintended consequences,” he said.

After Gov. Ned Lamont signed a bill decriminalizing cannabis on June 22, it became legal for adults to possess up to one-and-ahalf ounces of cannabis on their person, store up to five ounces in a locked container at home, or transport five ounces in a locked glovebox or trunk, according to the state’s pot explainer site. Retail cannabis sales likely will not start until late next year, but pot can be gifted to another person.

While Monday marked a preliminary discussion without decisions, council members talked through the possiblity of regulations. Bass said Tuesday he hopes to discuss the matter further at the August meeting.

Through the use of zoning and other ordinances, cities and towns can regulate cannabis sales and areas of use within borders.

Cannabis use will be prohibited in state parks and on state beaches and waters, the state website stated.

According to the website, landlords “may prohibit smoking and vaping, but they generally may not prohibit possession or consumption of other forms of cannabis.”

During the meeting, Bass suggested prohibiting the use of cannabis on town properties and schools, including the local green and Town Hall.

Councilwoman Mary Jane Lundgren suggested prohibiting cannabis use in all the places the town prohibits alcohol.

If regulations are enacted, those restrictions likely would be enforced by the local police.

Newtown and Ridgefield are considering banning cannabis establishments, and Ridgefield was scheduled to discuss a ban Tuesday during a Planning and Zoning Commission meeting.

Danbury has said it may impose a temporary moratorium, with the Zoning Commission scheduled to hold a public hearing Tuesday.

For now, Bass said officials are waiting to hear more details about what local cannabis retail would look like.

“This is not some great watershed,” said Randy DiBella, the town’s attorney, who briefed the council on the matter. “It simply legalizes something that used to be illegal, just like after prohibition.”

Town Council Vice Chairwoman Katy Francis raised concerns about potential crime associated with places selling cannabis products, since these businesses are often cashonly and cannot put money into national banks due to federal laws.

“Many years ago, that’s why banks started being robbed — because they were filled with cash,” Francis said during the meeting. “There are so many little things about this [that] we have never had to deal with.”

Bass said it would be important to have the “proper security” for these businesses, if they were in town.

New Milford has the option to allow cannabis sales within town limits, but there still could be dispensaries in Torrington and Danbury, and residents will likely be able to purchase products in neighboring towns.

Francis said it was important to give the issue “a lot of our brain power before making some decisions,” while Councilman Walter Bayer reminded the council that rules might have to evolve as town leaders get more experience with cannabis regulations.

“It’s going to be trial and error,” he said. “We may decide some things and go whoops this [does] not work and go back to the drawing board and start all over again.”