A medical marijuana dispensary is coming to the Stony Hill section of Bethel.  The application by D&B Wellness, one of the six medical marijuana producers to receive state approval, was denied last month by the Bridgeport Planning and Zoning Commission.  That followed Stratford's decision to put a 12 month moratorium on dispensaries in that town.  An incomplete application was filed with Redding Zoning officials this week and not in time for the meeting Wednesday night.

State Department of Consumer Protection Commissioner William Rubenstein says the license was approved Tuesday for 4 Garella Road.  The location is zoned for retail use and town officials say the dispensary is considered a pharmacy and therefore a permitted use. 

The plans call for a high level of security and to be operated as an "appointment only" facility and would employ a pharmacist, receptionist and a counselor to educate patients about dosage and alternative therapies.  There will also be a full time security guard.  Video surveillance and other security features will be in place. 

Only patients certified by physicians to the department as having one of 11 debilitating conditions and would benefit from use of medical marijuana can register for use of medical marijuana in Connecticut. 

The kinds of products that can be sold at dispensaries are very specific and is limited to those prepackaged from licensed manufacturers.  There are also strict security requirements in place, all detailed among the 76 pages of regulations.