2023 Connecticut General Statutes › Title 21a - Consumer Protection › Chapter 420h - Regulation of Adult-Use Cannabis › Section 21a-422f. - Municipal authority re establishing cannabis establishments. Restrictions. Zoning. Special permits.

(a) As used in this section, “municipality” means any town, city or borough, consolidated town and city or consolidated town and borough, and a district establishing a zoning commission under section 7-326.
(b) Any municipality may, by amendment to such municipality's zoning regulations or by local ordinance, (1) prohibit the establishment of a cannabis establishment, (2) establish reasonable restrictions regarding the hours and signage within the limits of such municipality, or (3) establish restrictions on the proximity of cannabis establishments to any of the establishments listed in subdivision (1) of subsection (a) of section 30-46. The chief zoning official of a municipality shall report, in writing, any zoning changes adopted by the municipality regarding cannabis establishments pursuant to this subsection to the Secretary of the Office of Policy and Management and to the department not later than fourteen days after the adoption of such changes.
(c) Unless otherwise provided for by a municipality through its zoning regulations or ordinances, a cannabis establishment shall be zoned as if for any other similar use, other than a cannabis establishment, would be zoned.
(d) Any restriction regarding hours, zoning and signage of a cannabis establishment adopted by a municipality shall not apply to an existing cannabis establishment located in such municipality if such cannabis establishment does not convert to a different license type, for a period of five years after the adoption of such prohibition or restriction.
(e) Until June 30, 2024, no municipality shall grant zoning approval for more retailers or micro-cultivators than a number that would allow for one retailer and one micro-cultivator for every twenty-five thousand residents of such municipality, as determined by the most recent decennial census.
(f) On and after July 1, 2024, the Commissioner of Consumer Protection may, in the discretion of the commissioner, post on the Department of Consumer Protection's Internet web site a specific number of residents such that no municipality shall grant zoning approval for more retailers or micro-cultivators than would result in one retailer and one micro-cultivator for every such specific number of residents, as determined by the commissioner. Any such determination shall be made to ensure reasonable access to cannabis by consumers.
(g) For purposes of ensuring compliance with this section, a special permit or other affirmative approval shall be required for any retailer or micro-cultivator seeking to be located within a municipality. A municipality shall not grant such special permit or approval for any retailer or micro-cultivator applying for such special permit or approval if that would result in an amount that (1) until June 30, 2024, exceeds the density cap of one retailer and one micro-cultivator for every twenty-five thousand residents, and (2) on and after July 1, 2024, exceeds any density cap determined by the commissioner under subsection (f) of this section. When awarding final licenses for a retailer or micro-cultivator, the Department of Consumer Protection may assume that, if an applicant for such final license has obtained zoning approval, the approval of a final license for such applicant shall not result in a violation of this section or any other municipal restrictions on the number or density of cannabis establishments.
(June Sp. Sess. P.A. 21-1, S. 148.)
History: June Sp. Sess. P.A. 21-1 effective July 1, 2021 (Revisor's note: In Subsec. (b) “subsection (a) of subdivision (1)” was changed to “subdivision (1) of subsection (a)” for accuracy).