Groton’s Marijuana Industry Expands Under New Rules

GROTON – The door is open for marijuana businesses in Groton after the Planning and Zoning Commission unanimously approved new regulations for the enterprise on Monday night.

The decision allows an array of new marijuana businesses to open in mostly industrial and commercial zones if the commission approves a site plan and the business has the necessary state permits. The commission would only need to open a public hearing if the businesses neighbor a residential zone, Assistant Planning and Development Director Deb Jones said.

John Casey, an attorney representing Curaleaf – owner of the medical marijuana dispensary on Gold Star Highway in Groton – was the only speaker at the  public hearing Monday, and he urged the commission to approve the new regulations.

Jones said the regulations would allow Curaleaf to transition into a recreational or hybrid dispensary with a site plan approval, if the company has a state permit. 

Jones said she had spoken to the company about the regulations, but not about its future plans, adding  it has not yet submitted any applications. On Tuesday, Curaleaf spokesperson Stephanie Cunha did not tell CT Examiner any specific plans for the company’s Groton location, but suggested expanding to recreational sales is a possibility.

“Curaleaf currently offers adult use sales at our Stamford and Hartford locations,” she said. “We are working to expand our offerings across our Connecticut locations where permitted by local and state officials.”

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In addition to recreational retail sales, the new regulations allow for cultivation or growing businesses, manufacturers of marijuana-infused products, including food and beverages, and marijuana delivery services.

All of the businesses need to meet certain conditions, including having state permits and a written security plan approved by the chief of police. Retail stores need to be at least 1,500 feet away from any other marijuana businesses, schools, places of worship, hospitals and more. And all growing and manufacturing needs to be indoors.