The Zoning commission wants more time to decide where the city might allow medical marijuana farms and dispensaries.
The Planning and Zoning commission for Bridgeport will vote on June 29 on a proposal to extend a moratorium on applications for medical marijuana farms and dispensaries for another year.
Last May, commission for Bridgeport voted to place a one year moratorium on applications. The moratorium expired June 3, 2015; the commission, however, put forth a proposal to extend that moratorium another year.
Zoning commission chairman Melville Riley Jr. said the commission wants more time to decide where the city might allow medical marijuana farms and dispensaries.
The commission intended to use the original one year periodto develop a strategy for dealing with applications. However, the commission has not yet been able to do so.
“We haven’t had a chance to actually do the research to find out how it’s going in other towns,”said Riley.
The Zoning board for Stamford enacted a similar, year-long moratorium which expired March of this year. During that period, the city began to craft new regulations. Although the proposal was not yet complete in March, the board hopes to hold a public hearing on their plans next month.
Bridgeport Mayor Bill Fitch said he will support the commissioners if they pass a second moratorium. His spokesman says the city needs to give patients access to prescribed marijuana, but community concerns about dispensaries also need to be considered.
This report includes information from the Associated Press.
