Westerly Moves Forward with Cannabis Ordinance: What You Need to Know

Westerly Town Council has approved a draft ordinance to regulate the cannabis industry in the town, and has referred it to the Planning Board for review and recommendation.

Westerly Town Council has approved a draft ordinance to regulate the cannabis industry in the town, and has referred it to the Planning Board for review and recommendation. The draft ordinance is based on the state law that legalized cannabis for adult use in 2023, and aims to establish the local rules and standards for the licensing, zoning, and operation of cannabis businesses in Westerly.

The draft ordinance covers various aspects of the cannabis industry, such as the types and number of licenses, the application and renewal process, the fees and taxes, the location and distance requirements, the security and signage measures, and the enforcement and penalties. The draft ordinance also defines the roles and responsibilities of the Town Council, the Planning Board, the Zoning Board of Review, the Town Manager, and the Police Department in regulating and overseeing the cannabis industry.

The draft ordinance is not final, and is subject to change and amendment based on the feedback and input of the Planning Board, the public, and the stakeholders. The Planning Board is expected to hold a public hearing and a workshop on the draft ordinance in February 2024, and to make a recommendation to the Town Council by March 2024. The Town Council will then hold another public hearing and a final vote on the draft ordinance by April 2024.

Westerly Town Council has adopted a cautious and conservative approach to the cannabis industry, and has expressed some concerns and reservations about it

Westerly Town Council has adopted a cautious and conservative approach to the cannabis industry, and has expressed some concerns and reservations about it. The Town Council has stated that it does not endorse or promote the use of cannabis, and that it is only complying with the state law that legalized it. The Town Council has also stated that it is concerned about the potential negative impacts of the cannabis industry on the public health, safety, and welfare of the town, and that it is seeking to protect the town’s character, values, and quality of life.

Some of the concerns and reservations that the Town Council has raised are:

• The compatibility and suitability of the cannabis industry with the town’s vision, goals, and plans, especially regarding the economic development, the historic preservation, and the tourism promotion of the town.
• The availability and adequacy of the town’s resources, infrastructure, and services, especially regarding the water supply, the wastewater treatment, the traffic management, and the public safety and security of the town.
• The uncertainty and variability of the state and federal laws, regulations, and guidelines, especially regarding the taxation, the banking, and the enforcement of the cannabis industry, and the potential legal and financial risks and liabilities for the town.

Westerly Town Council has received mixed reactions and responses from the public and the stakeholders, and has invited them to participate and engage in the process

Westerly Town Council has received mixed reactions and responses from the public and the stakeholders, and has invited them to participate and engage in the process. The Town Council has acknowledged that the cannabis industry is a controversial and divisive issue, and that there are different opinions and perspectives on it. The Town Council has also emphasized that the draft ordinance is a work in progress, and that it is open to suggestions and improvements.

Some of the reactions and responses that the Town Council has received are:

• The support and approval of some residents and businesses, who see the cannabis industry as an opportunity and a benefit for the town, and who argue that the town should embrace and regulate it, rather than ban or restrict it.
• The opposition and disapproval of some residents and businesses, who see the cannabis industry as a threat and a harm for the town, and who argue that the town should prohibit or limit it, rather than allow or accommodate it.
• The questions and suggestions of some residents and businesses, who are curious and interested in the cannabis industry, and who seek more information and clarification on it, and who offer some ideas and recommendations for it.

Westerly Town Council has approved a draft ordinance to regulate the cannabis industry in the town, and has referred it to the Planning Board for review and recommendation. The Town Council has adopted a cautious and conservative approach to the cannabis industry, and has expressed some concerns and reservations about it. The Town Council has also received mixed reactions and responses from the public and the stakeholders, and has invited them to participate and engage in the process.