Enfield council reverses ban on pot sales after public hearing

Dec. 7—ENFIELD — The Town Council tonight in a 6-3 party-line vote approved a resolution that repeals the town-wide ordinance that prohibits cannabis establishments.

Six Democratic council members voted in favor of the resolution, while the three Republicans present voted to preserve the ban. Democratic Councilman Douglas Finger opted to abstain from voting, while Republican Councilman Joseph Bosco was absent.

The repeal came in wake of a nearly two hour-long public hearing, which was the second of its kind. Approximately 20 residents spoke, with an even mix of residents in favor of the repeal, and those who opposed it.

The first public hearing on the matter happened during a council meeting on Sept. 7, where more than 30 residents spoke out over the course of 1 1/2 hours, with 22 of them in opposition of the then-proposed ban while six supported it and three were indifferent.

The ordinance that banned marijuana sales passed 6-3 along party lines later in the meeting, which at the time was under Republican majority. Since then, the council has swung to a Democratic majority following the November election.

In total, the ban lasted nearly 3 months, totaling 60 days before it was repealed tonight.

Mayor Bob Cressotti last week said some council members plan to travel to businesses in Massachusetts in an effort to learn more about the retail cannabis industry before it would get underway in town.

Possession and use of recreational marijuana for people age 21 and over became legal in the state on July 1, with the sale of cannabis expected to commence sometime in late 2022.

Read the full story in Tuesday's Journal Inquirer.

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