Approval for Cannabis Store Adjacent to Starbucks

 The Planning and Zoning Commission unanimously approved an application to open a cannabis retail establishment in the former Bank of America building in front of Home Depot on Washington Street, immediately adjacent to the Starbucks.

The application was from SFC CT, LLC, which currently owns and operates 2 medical marijuana outlets, in Westport and Branford. The first one opened in 2014. Nick Tammarino, principal at SFC CT, told the Commission, "We are committed to operating a safe business."

The store will check IDs before potential customers can enter the building, ensuring that no one under 21 years of age can enter. All product will be stored in the vault, and not be accessible until after purchase. Tammarino said the site was ideal for cannabis retail, as the traffic patterns will be unaffected, a former bank was optimal for security, and there are no residences nearby. 

One member of the public urged the Commission to reject the application, raising alarm about the effects of marijuana on users. Ken McClellan cited newspaper articles about the dangers posed by marijuana to children and adults. The dangers he listed were not as significant as those depicted in the 1936 film Reefer Madness. 

The Commissioners were not moved. Commissioner Giuliano expressed sympathy for McClellan's points, but said, "I don’t have any choice but to vote to approve it. The objections to it are policy decisions that were the call of the general assembly. What is being applied for is a legal business use of a piece of property."