A Note To The Public I have proposed an amendment to the Essex Zoning Regulations regarding the prohibition of marijuana dispensaries and production facilities. My reasons for proposing this amendment are listed below: The Preamble to the Essex Zoning Regulations, as amended to January 1, 2021 states: "10A. PURPOSES: GENERAL. For the purpose of promoting the health, safety, morals, and general welfare of the community;.the following zoning regulations for the Town of Essex are and have been adopted pursuant to the provisions of the statutes of the State of Connecticut." On January 14, 2014, the Essex Zoning Commission adopted Section 40A.1 in response the passage of State of Connecticut legislation legalizing the sale of medical marijuana. The adoption of Section 40A.1 obviously illustrated the Commission's concern about this activity occurring in Essex. However, Section 40A.1 was only a moratorium which expired on January 15, 2015. Recently, the State of Connecticut enacted legislation legalizing the cultivation and sale of recreational marijuana in the State of Connecticut. That legislation includes provisions that allow municipalities within the state to enact zoning regulations prohibiting the cultivation and sale of recreational marijuana within the municipality's jurisdiction. It is the consensus of public safety officials, the medical community and leaders of numerous religious organizations that the legalization of the recreational use of marijuana will be deleterious to the "health, safety, morals, and general welfare of the community" that is defined as the purpose of the Essex zoning regulations in the preamble of the Zoning Regulations. Specifically, concerns about addiction, impaired driving, and access to underage people whose brain structures are not fully developed are paramount. I, personally, have additional concerns that the allowance of this activity within the Essex jurisdiction will irrevocably diminish the character of our town. Despite Connecticut's legalization, the federal government classifies marijuana, along with heroin and cocaine, as a Schedule I drug with a high potential for abuse and little to no medical benefit. It is also important to note that the THC levels, which are directly related to intoxication and addiction, in today's marijuana are a significant multiple of the THC levels in the Woodstock generation's marijuana. The THC in marijuana is delivered by smoking, vaping or ingestion of edibles. As you might imagine, edibles can be particularly attractive to children. Other municipalities, which are considering allowing marijuana sales, are already also considering the necessity of enacting ordinances prohibiting the smoking or vaping of marijuana in public areas such as public parks. If there were a marijuana store on Main Street here in Essex, it is likely Essex residents, tourists or other shoppers would be confronted with marijuana smoke on the sidewalk or in our beautiful park as patrons light up after leaving the store. Therefore, it is imperative that Essex zoning regulations be amended in order that Essex does not inadvertently facilitate such use by allowing any activities related to the now legalized marijuana industry to be conducted within its jurisdiction. I have amended the existing provision in such a manner as to exclude all commercial marijuana activities from our town. Some may question the exclusion of medical marijuana commercial activities, but in light of the proliferation of expanded uses of medical marijuana now authorized by the State of Connecticut, the likelihood of significant commercial activity has increased substantially. The adoption of the original Section 40A.1 in 2014 was obviously a response to similar concerns by the Essex Zoning Commission at that time. Presented in the public interest by Roger J. Kern, an Essex resident. Paid Advertisement A Note To The Public I have proposed an amendment to the Essex Zoning Regulations regarding the prohibition of marijuana dispensaries and production facilities. My reasons for proposing this amendment are listed below: The Preamble to the Essex Zoning Regulations, as amended to January 1, 2021 states: "10A. PURPOSES: GENERAL. For the purpose of promoting the health, safety, morals, and general welfare of the community;.the following zoning regulations for the Town of Essex are and have been adopted pursuant to the provisions of the statutes of the State of Connecticut." On January 14, 2014, the Essex Zoning Commission adopted Section 40A.1 in response the passage of State of Connecticut legislation legalizing the sale of medical marijuana. The adoption of Section 40A.1 obviously illustrated the Commission's concern about this activity occurring in Essex. However, Section 40A.1 was only a moratorium which expired on January 15, 2015. Recently, the State of Connecticut enacted legislation legalizing the cultivation and sale of recreational marijuana in the State of Connecticut. That legislation includes provisions that allow municipalities within the state to enact zoning regulations prohibiting the cultivation and sale of recreational marijuana within the municipality's jurisdiction. It is the consensus of public safety officials, the medical community and leaders of numerous religious organizations that the legalization of the recreational use of marijuana will be deleterious to the "health, safety, morals, and general welfare of the community" that is defined as the purpose of the Essex zoning regulations in the preamble of the Zoning Regulations. Specifically, concerns about addiction, impaired driving, and access to underage people whose brain structures are not fully developed are paramount. I, personally, have additional concerns that the allowance of this activity within the Essex jurisdiction will irrevocably diminish the character of our town. Despite Connecticut's legalization, the federal government classifies marijuana, along with heroin and cocaine, as a Schedule I drug with a high potential for abuse and little to no medical benefit. It is also important to note that the THC levels, which are directly related to intoxication and addiction, in today's marijuana are a significant multiple of the THC levels in the Woodstock generation's marijuana. The THC in marijuana is delivered by smoking, vaping or ingestion of edibles. As you might imagine, edibles can be particularly attractive to children. Other municipalities, which are considering allowing marijuana sales, are already also considering the necessity of enacting ordinances prohibiting the smoking or vaping of marijuana in public areas such as public parks. If there were a marijuana store on Main Street here in Essex, it is likely Essex residents, tourists or other shoppers would be confronted with marijuana smoke on the sidewalk or in our beautiful park as patrons light up after leaving the store. Therefore, it is imperative that Essex zoning regulations be amended in order that Essex does not inadvertently facilitate such use by allowing any activities related to the now legalized marijuana industry to be conducted within its jurisdiction. I have amended the existing provision in such a manner as to exclude all commercial marijuana activities from our town. Some may question the exclusion of medical marijuana commercial activities, but in light of the proliferation of expanded uses of medical marijuana now authorized by the State of Connecticut, the likelihood of significant commercial activity has increased substantially. The adoption of the original Section 40A.1 in 2014 was obviously a response to similar concerns by the Essex Zoning Commission at that time. Presented in the public interest by Roger J. Kern, an Essex resident. Paid Advertisement