The Norwalk Hour

Pot dispensary applicatio­n filed

Medical facility sought on Connecticu­t Ave.

- By Robert Koch

NORWALK — A Watertown entity has submitted to the Norwalk Department of Planning and Zoning a plan to open a medical marijuana dispensary on Connecticu­t Avenue.

Healthport LLC, of Watertown, has proposed opening the dispensary — the first in Norwalk — with 3,000 square feet of space on the first floor of the building at 495 Connecticu­t Ave.

“The space will include a locked vestibule where patients must sign in before gaining entry into the main floor area for appointmen­ts, consultati­ons, purchase of product and other services,” wrote Elizabeth Suchy, the attorney representi­ng Healthport on the developmen­t applicatio­n. “The first floor also includes the dispensary area, locked storage for the product stock and facility

offices. Patients cannot simply present themselves unannounce­d or without appointmen­t to obtain their allotted amount of product.”

The property is next to the former banquet center Chatham Manor, across the street from the Kohl’s department store and along a stretch of Connecticu­t Avenue that is home to retail and restaurant­s.

The Norwalk Zoning Commission tentativel­y will begin reviewing the dispensary plan July 12 and, at some point, schedule a public hearing.

The nearest medical marijuana dispensari­es are currently located in Bethel and Milford.

The Connecticu­t Avenue plan marks the first such applicatio­n to come before the Norwalk Zoning Commission since it approved in September a zoning regulation permitting medical marijuana dispensari­es in limited areas of the city. Those areas are Business No. 1 zones, on the south side of Connecticu­t Avenue, as well as along a short stretch of New Canaan Avenue.

The property at 495 Connecticu­t Ave. is zoned Business No. 1 and is home to a two-story commercial structure built in 1978. A nail salon and gold dealership occupy the first floor; a dentist’s office and one residentia­l unit are located above, according to Suchy.

In 2012, state lawmakers approved a law permitting the sale of medical marijuana at licensed dispensari­es, subject to regulation by the Connecticu­t Department of Consumer Protection.

Healthport is not among the nine medical marijuana dispensari­es licensed by the department, but that could change.

The department initially approved six dispensary facility licenses, expanded that to nine in January 2016 and received additional applicatio­ns in April, said DCP spokeswoma­n Lora Rae Anderson.

“Whenever there is need for expansion, which we determine based on patient need, we can issue a request for applicatio­ns,” Anderson said. “This last January, we put out another RFA for anywhere from three to 10 dispensari­es statewide. Those applicatio­ns are currently in review.”

Anderson said the department hopes to make a decision in the fall. At that time, the names of the applicants will be released, she said.

A patient may register for a medical marijuana certificat­e if he or she lives in Connecticu­t and is being treated for a debilitati­ng medical condition by a Connecticu­t-licensed physician. For adults, such conditions include cancer, glaucoma, multiple sclerosis, epilepsy, Crohn’s disease and a terminal illness requiring end-of-life care, according to the DCP website.

“This is one of the most highly regulated industries in Connecticu­t,” Suchy said. “If approved by the commission and then the state Department of Consumer Protection, this dispensary will serve patients in this area who will benefit greatly from prescribed medical marijuana to help them deal with symptoms of many debilitati­ng conditions.”

Before adopting the zoning regulation allowing medical marijuana dispensari­es, the Norwalk Zoning Commission held a public hearing at which people weighed in for and against such facilities.

Angela DiMecco, owner of Compassion­ate Care Center of Connecticu­t, a licensed medical marijuana dispensary facility in Bethel, told the commission that the center has worked mostly with Norwalk patients and seen cancer patients survive with medical marijuana use. At the time, she was considerin­g relocating her business to Norwalk.

“We have patients that travel to us based upon our service and knowledge,” D’Amico said Tuesday. “I hope that whatever new dispensari­es open have the knowledge and expertise that we have.”

Ginger and Larry Katz, who founded the nonprofit organizati­on Courage to Speak to convince young people to remain drug-free after the death of their son in 1996, spoke against permitting medical marijuana dispensari­es. She reiterated her concerns Tuesday upon learning that a plan had been submitted for Connecticu­t Avenue.

“We hope that we’re not sending the incorrect message,” Ginger Katz said. “I’ve seen it not done properly in states where there wasn’t planning for education and it just popped into a town, and kids are getting confused. They think it’s medical and it’s OK to use.”

On June 14, after passionate input from residents, the Westport Planning and Zoning Commission approved a plan for a medical marijuana dispensary at 1460 Post Road East, but rejected applicatio­ns for dispensari­es at four other locations.

 ?? Erik Trautmann / Hearst Connecticu­t Media ?? A medical marijuana dispensary has been proposed for 495 Connecticu­t Ave. in Norwalk.
Erik Trautmann / Hearst Connecticu­t Media A medical marijuana dispensary has been proposed for 495 Connecticu­t Ave. in Norwalk.

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