An appeal has been filed with the Bethel Zoning Board of Appeals about the medical marijuana dispensary approved by the Planning Director for Garella Road in the Stony Hill section of town. Two nearby residents said D & B Wellness should not have been approved as a retail use establishment. The Monroe-based company received approval last week and is one of only six dispensaries licensed in the state. The location is zoned for retail use and town officials say the dispensary is considered a pharmacy and therefore a permitted use.
The appeal says the state imposes specific location and operation critera on dispensaries that are different from retail mandates, because the general public will not be patronizing the facility. The Zonnig Appeals Board next meets in June.
D & B Wellness is hosting two informational session next week about their facility and medical marijuana. They will be in the General Purpose Room of the Municipal Center Tuesday from 4:30 to 6pm and from 6 to 9pm.
D&B Welness's application 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 and not in time for the only meeting before a deadline to find a location before the license expired.
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.
