The Board of Selectmen (BOS) has set an in-person public meeting to gather additional input on whether to allow cannabis sales and cultivation in Guilford. The meeting, to be held without a virtual option, is scheduled for Monday, April 3, at the Community Center.

According to First Selectman Matt Hoey, a recently conducted online survey revealed a significant majority of residents in favor of sales and cultivation; however, Hoey said the BOS feels it is critical to ensure as much community input as possible on this important topic.

“We are looking at some prototypical ordinances, but we have not drafted anything in terms of an ordinance, and that is if we even decide to allow it,” said Hoey. “I think we want to get wider input. There are a couple of board members who want to get a better sample. I personally think the survey that we did was more than statistically valid. (T)hat is a valid sample, and it was clear people supported it, but everybody is not on that same page.”

Hoey said there are a number of factors within the discussion that residents should be aware of, including the numerous types of establishments that can potentially operate. Under state law, there are more than 10 types of cannabis businesses allowed, including dispensaries, delivery services, food/beverage manufacturing, large-scale cultivation, and micro-cultivation.

“Are we going to allow all 11 forms of cannabis businesses to exist here in town? I think there’s a consensus that if we say yes, you can do retail cannabis sales, why would we restrict it from the balance of other commercial cannabis enterprises?” Hoey said. “There is logic to suggest that if you’re going to allow retail sales, why wouldn’t you allow the other commercial enterprises that do that?”

According to Hoey, though the survey data was quite informative, the BOS is still weighing options and ultimately seeking further feedback.

“What we’ve tried to do whenever possible is to utilize whatever means necessary to achieve consensus. So, this meeting is just another opportunity to gather input. One of the things we always need to be cautious about is that very often, the more passionate individuals show up in person for these meetings, but that could be passion on both sides of the aisle,” said Hoey.

The current retail sales moratorium approved by the BOS last year expires at the end of April. Hoey said it is unlikely that the BOS could adopt the feedback from the public forum and be able to turn around a decision and enact any ordinance before the end of April, which means that another moratorium would be needed.

There are two options for municipalities deciding whether to implement an ordinance, whether for or against retail sales, an actual ordinance passed by an elected body or via zoning regulations. Towns in Connecticut have opted for both forms while making their respective decisions on the matter.

Hoey said he is leaning toward an ordinance option and then utilizing zoning regulations to find a suitable site.

“We are probably going to do this by ordinance. It’s my personal belief that you should not use the zoning code for social engineering. I’ve been saying that for a long time,” Hoey said. “What I think the Board of Selectman is looking to do is to make a determination of either yes or no, and then use zoning for these other questions like the types of establishments, potential distances from schools, where to site any establishments. The Board of Selectman were elected to make these kind of decisions and not necessarily push that kind of decision down to appointed members of the planning and zoning commission.”

The cannabis forum will be an in-person-only meeting on Monday, April 3, at the Community Center at 7:30 p.m.