A moratorium on marijuana growing and dispensing facilities in Milford that was initially scheduled to end in February was extended to April 27.
At a recent Planning and Zoning Board meeting, Milford City Planner David Sulkis told the board that the previously imposed marijuana moratorium was scheduled to run out in February.
He suggested the board extend that and then advise city officials on how they want to proceed.
Like some other cities around the state, Milford has taken steps to stall creation of medical marijuana growing facilities and dispensaries within its borders to give local officials time to fully understand the new regulations.
The Planning and Zoning Board initially voted for a two-month moratorium to run out in February to give the city attorney time to research regulations regarding the growing and distribution of medical marijuana.
Other cities imposed up to year-long holds on approval for such establishments.
Milford had considered a year-long moratorium on production or distribution operations but decided that was excessive and voted for the two months instead. The board decided it will not accept or consider any application to permit the establishment of medical marijuana producers and dispensary facilities until the end of the moratorium. The move gives the city time to research and create any additional city regulations it may see fit to impose.
Medical marijuana is legal in many states, including all six New England states.
Marijuana is legal for recreational use in Colorado and Washington state.
In a letter to state Department of Consumer Protection Commissioner William Rubenstein earlier this year, Rep. James Maroney (D-Orange, Milford) urged the Department of Consumer Protection to consider proximity to schools and the protection of children when developing regulations for locating licensed marijuana facilities.
Maroney noted that regulations provide the DCP latitude when it comes to placement of facilities for those that need access to medical marijuana, and for the department to observe the federal law that maintains a 1000-foot buffer zone for marijuana dispensaries in their decisions.