After five public hearings and passing a Town Policy banning businesses that grow and dispense cannabis on April 13, 2022 Ridgefield's Board of Selectmen unanimously approved a Town Ordinance that now must be adopted at a Town Meeting on September 7. This is because the Planning and Zoning Commission refused to update its existing Zoning Regulation that already banned both medical and recreational marijuana businesses that was approved in 2015 to comply with new State statues and the guidance provided by the Board of Selectmen.
Please watch this 20-minute documentary about Ridgefield's consequential cannabis question.
Ridgfield grapples with the two edged opportunity and threat of legalized cannabis production and distribution for medical and adult recreational purposes. Planning and Zoning tries to sidestep the issue and deflect responsibility to the Board of Selectmen. Ultimately, they realize doing so could lose control. PZC is polarized by one member whose brother's life was destroyed by marijuana addiction and a young millennial who thinks cannabis should be treated like any other legal product.
The Board of Selectmen are more inclined to ban recreational marijuana. The pro cannabis advocates appear to be early vocal agitators for permitting cannabis businesses in Ridgefield.
Here is a running video record leading to Ridgefield's Planning and Zoning Commission passing a one-year moratorium on cannabis zoning applications to give the Board of Selectmen time to digest the facts and public sentiment and to decide about a possible ordinance restricting commercialization of cannabis in Ridgefield. The Board of Selectmen have no power to otherwise override Connecticut's legalization of adult possession and use of marijuana.
The Board of Selectmen are more inclined to ban recreational marijuana. The pro cannabis advocates appear to be early vocal agitators for permitting cannabis businesses in Ridgefield.
Here is a running video record leading to Ridgefield's Planning and Zoning Commission passing a one-year moratorium on cannabis zoning applications to give the Board of Selectmen time to digest the facts and public sentiment and to decide about a possible ordinance restricting commercialization of cannabis in Ridgefield. The Board of Selectmen have no power to otherwise override Connecticut's legalization of adult possession and use of marijuana.