Stonington—Cannabis regulations that will allow just one retail and one non-retail cannabis business in town, are set to go into effect here on Sept. 5.

At an Aug. 16 meeting, the Planning and Zoning Commission unanimously approved the regulations with a few minor changes, including limiting the number of businesses to allow just one retail and one non-retail business.

The move to limit the number of businesses allowed in town was a response to the May change to state law that eliminated the population-based restriction on numbers of retailers and micro-cultivators in a municipality.

Prior to the May amendment, municipalities were restricted to one of each type of business per 25,000 residents.

The regulation will allow retail cannabis businesses in the Tourist Commercial zone around Exit 90 of Interstate 95 and the Highway Interchange zone at Exit 92 in Pawcatuck. The presence of a preschool located at Mystic Aquarium, however, will limit the potential locations in the Tourist Commercial zone.

Regulations require all cannabis establishments to be 1,000 feet from any school, day care facility, park, recreational or drug treatment facility and 250 feet from any residential use or place of worship.

Cannabis micro-cultivators and product manufacturers will be allowed in the town's three industrial zoning districts. Delivery or transportation services will be allowed in all the approved districts for retail and non-retail uses as well as in General Commercial districts.

In a staff report submitted to the commission dated August 16, Town Planner Keith Brynes stated the zoning districts for cannabis establishments were chosen “in order to minimize risks; these areas already permit high traffic uses, have good highway access, fewer residential neighbors, and fewer nearby schools than other commercial districts. Both districts have vacant and/or underutilized properties and adequate parking that may be available for this use.”

Hours of operation will be determined during the permitting process, and consumption or smoking of cannabis products will not be permitted on the premises of the businesses. The Board of Police Commissioners will also have to review and approve a traffic and parking plan prior to approval, and an odor control plan will be required for micro-cultivator applications.

Applications for all cannabis related uses require an application for special use permit and a public hearing. The applicant also requires a license from the state.