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08/16/2022 02:00 PMWith 4.5 percent of the town’s residents responding, a recent survey conducted by the town revealed a majority of those who participated in the survey support legalization of cannabis. The survey also showed support for issuing licenses for both cannabis retailers and micro cultivation facilities.
Respondents also showed support for allowing cultivation of marijuana on private property, while also strongly supporting efforts to protect young adults from accessing cannabis.
The results of the survey, conducted via the marketing firm of ZenCity, will be used to inform the Board of Selectmen (BOS) as the town plans a series of public forums and engagement events to further delve into public opinion and attitudes toward the issues presented by legalized cannabis. More than 1,000 residents responded to the survey, approximately of 4.5 percent of Guilford’s population per the 2021 U.S. Census.
First Selectman Matt Hoey said that he was encouraged that the strongest responses all centered around protecting children and young adults from being able to obtain cannabis.
“I am not really surprised by the survey’s outcome. Our community is somewhat progressive so the fact that residents support sales and cultivation was expected, I think, by the board,” said Hoey. “The survey was a reasonable sample size for our community and I think that we have good data from it. It is certainly good information for our future discussions.”
Among the topics surveyed, 52 percent of respondents said they believed legalized cannabis would have a positive impact on the town’s economy, and 63 percent of respondents were in favor of allowing licensed cannabis retail shops within town limits. Cultivation of cannabis received similar support, with 64 percent of respondents viewing the issue positively.
The majority of those indicating support for all measures concerning cannabis sales, use, and cultivation came from respondents in the 18 to 34 year age range. Survey results showed that support for these measures dropped in correlation with the increased age of the respondent.
Bo Huhn, a board member for Developing Assets for Youth (D.A.Y.), said he was disappointed with some of the survey data. Huhn urged residents to look more closely at the survey responses, suggesting that a closer look indicates a different interpretation of some of the responses.
“I feel like people in general are OK with marijuana and [don’t] have a problem with stores selling it here in town or anywhere else, so I won’t say this survey was wrong or doesn’t reflect what people think,” Huhn said. “I would have hoped the survey would have been used to educate people and then ask their opinion. If they had informed residents that there is quite a bit of data and science that shows there is quite a bit of damage to teens and young adults from marijuana use, especially from high-potency THC products, perhaps with that information, people would have responded differently.”
Huhn did see some positive aspects to this polling, including the strong support among residents to keeping minors away from cannabis product and tax revenues that could be generated if retail cannabis sales were implemented. Survey participants said they supported cannabis sales tax being used to fund mental health services, addiction treatment services, education programs, and services for homeless and at-risk youth.
Hoey said that no decision has been made concerning any aspect of when or even if, retail sales or cultivation will be implemented, and the town’s moratorium on those issues will be in effect until at least the end of the year, according to the BOS. Hoey said that zoning changes may be needed to integrate any implementation of cultivation or sales and said the process will not be a quick or rushed proposal.
“We will be taking a measured approach to all of this. This issue involves all of Guilford, so we want, and need, to hear from the public on this,” Hoey said.
A full copy of the report is available with this story on Zip06.com.