On Monday, April 25, the Zoning Commission will hold public hearings on two proposed marijuana regulations. One proposal would establish a moratorium on cannabis establishments and the other would establish new zoning regulations.

Last year Connecticut legislators passed a bill that legalized recreational marijuana use by adults in the state. That bill left it up to local municipalities to control the possibility of a store opening for marijuana retail.

At a February Zoning Commission meeting, a potential applicant spoke with the commission informally to get a sense of what regulations were in place concerning marijuana sale.

The potential applicant, Chad Lynch, said he’s been involved in the business for about seven years and was interested in working in Connecticut. Lynch said that his plan would be to open a growing and light manufacturing facility in town with a retail dispensary for the public.

Zoning Enforcement Officer Michael D’ Amato said he would present model regulations for the commission meeting on March 28.

At the March 28 meeting, D’Amato presented proposed zoning regulations that would allow the use as special permit in certain zones.

D’Amato told the Harbor News there are important facts people should be aware of going into the meeting.

“Given the restrictions put in place by the state, based on Westbrook’s population, we will be limited to just one retail and one cultivation establishment until at least 2024,” said D’Amato.

“If a retail establishment were to open in Westbrook, three percent of the taxes generated by these sales will be transmitted to the town,” D’Amato said.

The commission unanimously voted to forward the proposed regulation amendments to a public hearing to get a sense of what the public thinks of the matter.

Besides the proposed regulation changes, the commission also unanimously voted to hold a public hearing to have a moratorium on cannabis applications for at least six months to buy time to consider any regulations. Having a moratorium in place would prevent any applicants from applying to change the zoning or apply to open a retail cannabis store while the commission takes time to further study the issue.

“If the town were to do nothing, state law says that if an application is received, it must be treated as a similar use. Therefore, if a town wishes to unilaterally prohibit these uses, it must adopt regulations to do so,” sad D’Amato.

The argument over any regulations related to the sale of marijuana in Westbrook are likely to be controversial. While there is a contingent that will be concerned if not outright opposed to any regulations that would allow for a marijuana retail store to open, there are also people who are in favor of allowing the sale in town.

Proponents of allowing the sale in town argue the substance is less harmful than other already legal substances, that a retail shop could have economic benefits, and that it could arguably be safer to have a store than relying on dealers. Opponents usually cite a fear of the substance getting into the hands of children and a negative image for the town.

The meeting will take place at 7 p.m. at the Mulvey Municipal Center and via Zoom; visit www.westbrookct.us for attendance details.