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01/12/2022 08:10 AMThe Board of Selectman has approved the formation of the Ad Hoc Marijuana Advisory Committee. Selectman Bruce Wilson will chair the new committee, which was formed to consider how best the town can manage legal retail sales of cannabis.
Other committee members are Board of Education member Maryanne Connelly, Bob Xeller of the Madison Youth & Family Services Board, Ann Rumberger of the Board of Police Commissioners, and public members David Courtney, John Dobson, and Erin Girard.
The Planning & Zoning Commission passed a temporary nine-month moratorium on any licensing of retail sales of cannabis in November 2021, while also recommending that the ad hoc advisory committee be created. At that time, town officials considered the action necessary as any applications received before the town could process the details of the new law and come to a consensus might prove difficult to deny.
According to the town’s proposal for the moratorium, “the potential regulation of recreational cannabis creates a multitude of legal, regulatory, and safety issues that must be carefully considered. The establishment of a temporary moratorium on the use of land and structures in the Town of Madison for cannabis establishments as defined in PA 21-1 will allow sufficient time for the town to consider the various components of this new industry, develop regulations [that] appropriately address these establishments, and coordinate with other town agencies.”
There are two separate issues with which municipalities need to grapple; one is retail sales—where and how those types of establishments will or won’t be permitted, and whether they will be allowed to have on-site use of cannabis. The second is the grow aspect of marijuana—does the town want actual farms and grow sites within its borders, and if so, in what capacity?
Wilson said he feels that residents should be the ones who decide what they want in terms of sales and grows.
“I think first and foremost the issue is charged with a lot of emotion on both sides,” Wilson said. “There are people who absolutely believe that this is a product that is absolutely harmless and can be used responsibly, and should be, and then there are people who are responding, rightfully so, to 50 years of this being a bad drug [that] should be outlawed. I think our first task is devising a way to overcome all of that emotion. I believe with the people that we’ve chosen for this that we will be able to do that with the ad hoc committee.”
Wilson is adamant that the process must include public input and feedback from residents and that town officials need to heed and respect that process.
“I hope we can create the space in the community to have a thoughtful discussion about the pros and cons, because there are pros and cons,” Wilson said. “Ultimately, I’m hoping we can get to the real mood of the town and desire of the town, because this is going to be a community decision. The selectmen need to reflect the mood of the community. I do not think this is a moment for the selectmen to dictate what’s right and wrong for residents; it’s a moment for the Board of Selectmen to reflect what the community feels what’s right and wrong.”
Some of the other issues that concern board members are how and where cannabis is consumed, how the various forms of cannabis/THC are available (cannabis is now ingested not just by smoking, but via edibles, oils, tinctures, vapes, and beverages), and what the impact on youth will be and how any legal use will affect schools.
Selectman Al Goldberg said he also feels that the residents of Madison need to be part of any creation or implementation of any regulations.
“I have no position on any of this at this point. We are going to have to look at and attempt to identify the policy questions thus raised, like, are we going to have retail establishments in town? I think there are other implications for other town services that need to be considered. How does Beach & Rec Department handle these situations?” said Goldberg. “Police response needs to be thought through, and that will involve a set of policy questions, which would involve the Board of Police Commissioners. The Planning & Zoning Commission—they need to establish polices depending on the recommendations that come out of this group. So, there is a lot to look at and consider with this issue. This is going to affect many aspects of town services.”
Upcoming meetings of the ad hoc committee will be posted at madisonct.org.