Pubdate: Fri, 23 Aug 2013 Source: New Haven Register (CT) Copyright: 2013 New Haven Register Contact: http://www.nhregister.com Details: http://www.mapinc.org/media/292 Author: Jean Falbo-Sosnovich PZC PLANS SHORT-TERM BAN ON CANNABIS COMPANIES ANSONIA )) Before the state adopts guidelines for growing and selling medical marijuana, officials want to temporarily halt such businesses from opening in town while they create their own regulations. The Planning and Zoning Commission will hold a public hearing on the concept at 7:15 p.m. Monday at City Hall. Officials want to establish a one-year moratorium regarding "the production, distribution and/or dispensing of medical marijuana." Commission Chairman Bart Flaherty said the moratorium will give the commission time to absorb what the state is planning in terms of regulations and parameters on an issue that can create some anxiety. "This would give us some breathing space and time to look at the state regulations and what the parameters are going to be," Flaherty said Thursday. Flaherty said the commission operates under state regulations, but municipalities are often able to "tailor" regulations to their own needs. Flaherty did not say whether Ansonia is looking for an all-out ban on medical marijuana facilities, but he wants to be sure the commission gets complete clarification and a full understanding of what state regulations will entail. Several towns in Massachusetts, for example, have created regulations, banning pot dispensaries from opening up near their borders. Last month, Alderwoman Joan Radin addressed her concerns with the commission about medical marijuana businesses possibly setting up shop in Ansonia. Radin said she was concerned the state hasn't finalized its regulations yet, and until they do, she pushed for the city to establish a moratorium. Flaherty said nearby Shelton recently established a temporary moratorium. Zoning officials there have said they wanted time to understand what the state is proposing in term of regulations. Once the state regulations go into effect, Shelton's PZC would have a minimum of six months to study them. Shelton zoning officials have said growers have contacted their office, inquiring about warehouse space in the city for potential medical marijuana production facilities. The moratorium will halt action on any applications coming Shelton's way regarding medical marijuana facilities until the state regulations are in place and the city has something to follow. The state approved a law legalizing medical marijuana last year. The Department of Consumer Protection has since been working on regulations for marijuana dispensaries and production facilities, which could be acted on by the end of the month by the state legislature's regulation review committee. - --- MAP posted-by: Jay Bergstrom