Marijuana growing operations set to open off Hudson Drive and College Highway

Oct. 30, 2019 | Dennis Hackett

SOUTHWICK – After years of public hearings and debate, two marijuana growing operations are set to open in Southwick within the next year once they are cleared by the state Cannabis Control Commission, according to Southwick Town Planner Alan Slessler.

In May of last year, the town voted against opening any retail marijuana operations in Southwick. Slessler said many of the residents were concerned that the dispensaries could be a distraction.

“Two ladies said they didn’t want to be in our shopping area and look across the street to see a dispensary. They said they didn’t want to have kids asking questions about marijuana and the dispensaries,” he said.

During the lengthy process before last year’s town meeting, Slessler said the town hosted several public hearings during which residents could discuss their thoughts about the options available for marijuana operations in Southwick. He explained that one of the biggest arguments from residents was that they did not want any type of operation in residential areas.

“Everyone brought in their own input at the hearings but most people agreed that they did not want people growing marijuana in their backyards,” Slessler said.

Along with input from the public, Slessler said the town’s planning board also developed its own subcommittee to look into opening up marijuana operations in Southwick. He explained this subcommittee looked at how other towns handled the marijuana issue to help inform their own decisions about how to include operations in town.

Although the town voted against opening any retail marijuana stores, voters did approve to allow marijuana growing projects in restricted industrial areas. Slessler explained that so far they have only received two applications and the town approved both of them.

He explained that once Southwick received its first two applications, it was about a six-month process to get approval from the town. He said it was a lengthy process of public hearings, but the public was open minded throughout.

“Between the moratoriums, the public hearings, and trying to keep public safety at the forefront of the approval process, it took a long time for the town to be ready to make a decision about allowing these two operations,” Slessler said.

Now both retail growers are just waiting on approval from the state before they can begin construction.

“It’s usually a 90-day process to get state approval but as of right now we approved the operations just about three months ago. It can take a long time because there is a bit of redundancy in safety protocols,” Slessler said.

While the two operations are still awaiting state approval, Slessler said it will be a long time before either begin the growing process. “Both are hoping to get started on construction in the spring, so they should be able to start growing in the fall of next year,” he said.

If all goes according to plan, Slessler said the growing operations would open up at two separate locations off of Hudson Drive and College Highway.

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