Pubdate: Sun, 30 Jun 2013
Source: New Haven Register (CT)
Copyright: 2013 New Haven Register
Contact:  http://www.nhregister.com
Details: http://www.mapinc.org/media/292
Author: Susan Misur

LAB SEEKS MEDICAL MARIJUANA PRODUCTION IN WEST HAVEN

WEST HAVEN - A company has filed an application with the city to open 
a medical marijuana production facility on Frontage Road and will 
appear before the Planning and Zoning Commission July 9.

However, if the PZC approves the site plan submitted by Advanced Grow 
Labs LLC, of Fairfield, the business can't automatically open. It 
will have to next apply to the state; licenses for such facilities 
aren't expected to be doled out for at least a few months.

The state passed a legalizing medical marijuana in May 2012, allowing 
patients to apply for medical marijuana licenses last October and 
preparing now to allow some manufacturing locations and dispensaries 
to open. The possible West Haven facility would only produce 
marijuana - not sell directly to the public.

"They're just checking out the site and seeing if they get approval 
from the town, which is probably 1,000 times easier than the state, 
because they have to put a very, very large bond just to make an 
application with the state... It's allowed by the state, but we are 
doing as much as we possibly can to make sure it's safe for the 
community," Assistant City Planner Rob Librandi said.

Mayor John M. Picard said this is the second medical marijuana 
company that has approached the city about opening a business, with 
the previous one speaking to officials three to four months ago. He 
said the state will require such businesses to be heavily regulated 
and make a significant financial commitment.

"The state passed legislation, which in turn tells cities and towns 
they have to allow them to apply. We have guidelines and regulations 
we will follow, just like with everybody else (who applies)," Picard 
said. "Then the next step is the state."

According to documents in the Planning and Development office in City 
Hall, Advanced Grow Labs is applying to open in an existing building 
at 400 Frontage Road, an area zoned as light industrial. Interstate 
95 can be seen from the street, and other companies surround the property.

The proposal would seek to open under the light industrial zone's 
plant nursery category and would not need a special permit, and 
therefore not require a public hearing, according to Librandi. The 
application lists that the only construction work will be new 
striping of existing parking spaces and interior work, such as 
removing and installing new partition walls.

The state has not yet given any licenses for medical marijuana 
production facilities, as it expects to finalize requirements for 
such businesses in late August, according to a representative of the 
state Department of Consumer Protection's Medical Marijuana Program. 
However, three licenses are expected to eventually be issued in 
Connecticut for production locations. Officials still aren't sure how 
many dispensaries will be allowed.

State requirements will include security measures, a sizeable bond 
and a licensed pharmacist, among other things.

A letter in the application from the property owner, New York-based 
TMC Properties, LLC, says the owner "enthusiastically support[s]" the project.

"We are convinced that the building at 400 Frontage Road will, with 
anticipated alterations, comply with all the regulations and is well 
suited, both as to location and configuration, to this new proposed 
operation. It will be compatible with other uses on the property and 
in the area and presents no noise, pollution, or traffic concerns," 
the letter states.

The application also presents a possible security plan that includes 
an alarm system, police call hand buttons and a surveillance system. 
Hours of operation would be from 8 a.m. to 5 p.m., with truck 
deliveries once or twice a week. Future expansion is a possibility if 
the operation is successful, the application continues.

A representative of Advanced Grow Labs or the property owner could 
not be reached for comment.
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MAP posted-by: Jay Bergstrom