Which Connecticut cities and towns have banned recreational cannabis businesses?
Some towns have banned recreational cannabis businesses while others have instituted moratoriums as they work to decide.
By Ginny Monk, Julia Bergman, Andrew DaRosa and Derek Turner | Feb. 11, 2022 | Updated: Jan. 11, 2023 9:16 AM
Since the Connecticut legislature passed legal recreational cannabis in Connecticut in 2021, cities and towns across the state have been making decisions on how they will handle the new law.
Some municipalities outright banned legal cannabis businesses in their town, while others passed a moratorium to give local leaders more time to study and create regulations.
With recreational cannabis establishments starting to open around the state, some towns are beginning to revisit their moratoriums.
Keeping up with 169 municipalities can be tough. See something we missed? Click "read more" and tell us in the form below.
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No ban
Andover
"Andover has not banned cannabis sales or farming. In fact, we've gone the other way, and we're actively recruiting cannabis businesses in the town," Eric Anderson, the Town Administrator, said.
No ban
Ashford
As of June 14, 2021, the town had not placed a moratorium or ban on adult-use cannabis businesses.
No ban
Beacon Falls
Planning and Zoning Commission amended regulations to allow for cannabis establishments.
Unknown moratorium status
Berlin
Planning and development unanimously approved a moratorium on adult-use cannabis sales on Nov. 24, 2021. New information regarding the moratorium is not immediately available.
No ban
Bethany
Bethany's Planning and Zoning Commission announced in October 2022 that it has drafted regulations to allow for a cannabis establishment in town.
No ban
Bloomfield
Growth operations will be allowed in Industrial Districts with some specific standards. Retail will most likely follow the same rules that currently exists for alcoholic beverage sales with appropriate separation distances to impacted land uses such as churches, playgrounds, etc.
No ban
Bolton
"As far as I am aware this topic has not been brought up to the Board of Selectmen," Gary Silver, the Media Coordinator for the Town of Bolton, said.
Banned
Bozrah
Bozrah Planning & Zoning Commission approved regulations allowing “Cultivator” and “Micro-cultivator” Cannabis Establishments in the I-80 and I30 zoning districts, but clarifying that Cannabis Establishments other than Cultivators and Micro-cultivators are prohibited.
No ban
Branford
Approved hybrid retail cannabis establishments as of July 12, 2022.
No ban
Bridgeport
Connecticut’s largest municipality has reversed course and is now putting up the “welcome” sign for legalized cannabis businesses. However, the zoning commission will consider an amendment to further restrict where retailers can be located.
No ban
Bristol
Bristol adopted rules and regulations on adult-use cannabis in the city on August 10, 2022.
No ban
Brookfield
The town’s Planning Commission unanimously voted to recommend the ban last only six months.
No ban
Brooklyn
Regulations around retail cannabis establishments were last decided by the town on July 19, 2022.
Unknown moratorium status
Burlington
Burlington's moratorium expired Sept. 8, 2022. New information regarding the moratorium is not immediately available.
No ban
Canaan
A Special Meeting on "adult recreational marijuana" was held Aug. 11, 2022.
No data
Canton
The town approved a moratorium, which expired on Sept. 20, 2022. No updates have been provided since.
No ban
Chaplin
The town's Planning and Zoning chair said opening an adult-use cannabis dispensary in Chaplin is unlikely, so the board would not take any action.
Moratorium
Cheshire
The town's Planning and Zoning Committee has extended its moratorium on cannabis establishments into 2023 as they discuss the possibilities of recreational cannabis establishments in town.
Banned
Clinton
The town council passed it as a land-use ban for any type of cannabis sales or production facilities.
Unknown moratorium status
Colchester
New information regarding the moratorium is not immediately available.
Moratorium
Colebrook
The town adopted a moratorium on May 1, 2022 and it lasts until April 30, 2023.
No ban
Columbia
The town will allow cannabis retail, but not growing or manufacturing. That decision could be changed once more is known about the industry in town. One retailer is permitted in Columbia.
Moratorium
Coventry
Coventry officials are continuing to debate regulations regarding cannabis establishments.
No ban
Cromwell
When the PZC adopted zoning regulations for cannabis retailers, it promoted “new opportunities for economic development” in Cromwell, the application says.
Banned
Darien
The town's zoning laws have never allowed marijuana dispensaries. The planning and zoning commission will likely take the issue up formally in 2022, Jeremy Ginsberg, director of land use said.
Banned
Deep River
After months of back-and-forth debate, the Planning and Zoning Commission voted 4-2 to prohibit recreational cannabis retailers from opening in town.
No ban
Derby
The city’s planning and zoning commission voted on areas where a marijuana grower or a marijuana seller can set up shop in Derby.
No ban
Durham
On April 22, 2022: Application of the Durham Planning and Zoning Commission for a Text Amendment for Section 14.7 of the Durham Zoning Regulations to allow Cannabis Establishments by Special Permit in Certain Zones with specific standards and conditions.
Unknown moratorium status
East Granby
A six month moratorium began on Jan. 8, 2022. New information regarding the moratorium is not immediately available.
No ban
East Haddam
Cannabis establishmets are permitted by Special Exception Application. A moratorium expired June 15, 2022.
No ban
East Hampton
The Planning and Zoning Commission voted unanimously to adopt zoning regulations that would permit cannabis retailers and cultivators to operate in certain zones.
No ban
East Hartford
In November of 2021, the East Hartford Planning & Zoning Commission approved zoning regulations pertaining to retail sales and production of cannabis. Businesses must first receive a license through DCP before applying to receive a special permit to operate in East Hartford. The number of retailers and micro-cultivators permitted in East Hartford will be limited based on the town's population.
Moratorium
East Haven
The town's moratorium was extended by three months before its expiration on Dec. 31, 2022. A February 2023 meeting is scheduled to look at a proposal for new zoning regulations.
Moratorium
Ellington
The town moratorium has been extended until April 30, 2023.
No ban
Enfield
Despite opposition from some residents, the town planning and zoning commission voted to amend zoning rules to allow recreational marijuana stores and cultivation facilities in certain parts of town.
Moratorium
Fairfield
Fairfield's moratorium, which becomes effective in February, is set to last for one year.
No ban
Farmington
Farmington instituted regulations for recreational cannabis into the existing medical regulations.
Moratorium
Glastonbury
Glastonbury's moratorium, which became effective in September 2021, is set to expire on March 1, 2023.
Unknown moratorium status
Griswold
Griswold set a one-year moratorium, which became effective in September 2021. New information regarding the moratorium is not immediately available.
Moratorium
Guilford
Guilford's moratorium has been extended until April 2023.
Moratorium
Hamden
Hamden's moratorium was extended by three months in November 2022.
Banned
Lebanon
The ban on marijuana sales was enacted before the state's adult-use law was passed.
Moratorium
Ledyard
Ledyard's current moratorium expired in December 2022. However, a public hearing has been called for January 12, 2023, to discuss modifications to the moratorium.
No ban
Lisbon
Tom Sparkman, First Selectman of Lisbon, said he hasn’t yet heard any interest in a dispensary or a growing site yet, according to the Norwich Bulletin.
Moratorium
Madison
Madison's moratorium has been extended until July 1, 2023.
Unknown moratorium status
Mansfield
New information regarding the moratorium is not immediately available.
Unknown moratorium status
Marlborough
New information regarding the moratorium is not immediately available.
Moratorium
Middlebury
The town set a moratorium, which expires on June 8, 2023.
Banned
Milford
The city of Milford adopted an ordinance that prohibits the sale of marijuana in Milford except for medical marijuana purposes, Patch reported.
No ban
New Britain
A plan to allow recreational cannabis dispensaries and production facilities has been endorsed by the Common Council's zoning subcommittee.
Unknown moratorium status
New Fairfield
New Fairfield's moratorium, which became effective in November 2021, was set to last for one year. New information regarding the moratorium is not immediately available.
No ban
New Haven
The city is closer to retail recreational cannabis sales with the Board of Alders’ overwhelming approval of zoning text amendments governing where cannabis and cannabis products can be sold, as well as where they can be consumed.
No ban
New London
The city's Planning and Zoning Commission will take up zoning regulation amendments that clear the path to accept special permit applications for cannabis cultivators, delivery services, retailers, food and beverage manufacturers, micro-cultivators, transporters and other businesses associated with the marijuana business and allowed by state law, according to reporting by The Day.
Moratorium
New Milford
In a unanimous vote, the Town Council imposed a temporary moratorium on recreational cannabis sales at the council’s Monday meeting on Jan. 9. The moratorium will buy time for the town to better understand the state's legislation and also learn what other states are doing. The vote came the day before recreational cannabis sales began in the state.
Unknown moratorium status
North Branford
North Branford's moratorium is set to last for one year and became effective in October 2021. New information regarding the moratorium is not immediately available.
No data
North Haven
The town does not currently have a moratorium or a ban, the town's land use coordinator said.
No ban
North Stonington
North Stonington approved of new regulations for at least one cannabis retailer license and one micro-cultivator or
cultivator license in town
No ban
Norwalk
An early version of Norwalk’s cannabis ordinance will require recreational marijuana businesses to be at least 1,000 feet from schools, youth services facilities and rehab centers.
Unknown moratorium status
Old Saybrook
Old Saybrook's moratorium was scheduled to expire at the end of May 2022. New information regarding the moratorium is not immediately available.
Moratorium
Oxford
Oxford has set an 18-month moratorium on "retail sales, manufacture, and cultivation" of cannabis.
No ban
Plymouth
“We will be putting together a draft ordinance that, if adopted, will ban smoking cannabis in public spaces. Bristol has adopted a similar policy. I think that the members of the town council will support such a proposal. I think that even most proponents of allowing sale of marijuana here think it shouldn’t be allowed in public spaces," Mayor Joe Kilduff said to the Bristol Press.
Moratorium
Portland
The six month moratorium, which began Aug. 19, will only apply to adult-use retail establishments, and won’t pertain to other cannabis facilities, such as medical dispensaries or cultivators.
No ban
Preston
Preston has drafted new zoning regulations pertaining to cannabis dispensaries and production facilties.
Unknown moratorium status
Putnam
Putnam's moratorium was set to expire Sept. 18, 2022. New information regarding the moratorium is not immediately available.
No ban
Redding
"Redding has not banned or instituted a moratorium on cannabis businesses," First Selectman Julia Pemberton said on Jan. 27.
Banned
Ridgefield
Voters overwhelmingly approved an ordinance prohibiting marijuana businesses in town.
Unknown moratorium status
Sharon
Sharon's moratorium, which became effective in January 2022, was set to last for six months. New information regarding the moratorium is not immediately available.
Moratorium
Shelton
The Planning and Zoning Commission adopted a one-year moratorium April 1, 2022 on the acceptance of applications and the use of land or buildings for adult-use cannabis businesses.
Moratorium
Simsbury
The town has delayed discussion pertaining to cannabis establishments.
Unknown moratorium status
Southbury
New information regarding the moratorium is not immediately available.
No ban
Stonington
A public hearing is scheduled in March to solicit feedback on a proposal to impose a six-month moratorium. The moratorium would give the Planning and Zoning Commission time to establish regulations.
No ban
Stratford
After briefly considering a six-month moratorium, the Zoning Commission voted unanimously in late March to allow recreational marijuana sales and cannabis production facilities within the town limits.
No ban
Suffield
Suffield's PZC is in the process of drafting regulations for retailers and cultivators, the Journal Inquirer reported.
No ban
Thomaston
Zoning regulations have been established for cannabis establishments.
No ban
Tolland
The Planning and Zoning Commission voted 4-1 to allow retail cannabis establishments in most of the town’s commercial zones with certain restrictions, the Journal Inquirer reported.
Unknown moratorium status
Waterbury
Waterbury's moratorium was set to expire on Aug. 9, 2022. New information regarding the moratorium is not immediately available.
Banned
Waterford
Waterford Planning and Zoning Commission voted in favor of banning the sale of recreational cannabis in town.
No ban
West Hartford
The ordinance would not allow a recreational cannabis retailer within 500 feet of any school, municipal park, municipal recreational facility or library. The revised ordinance removed child care centers from the restricted list. Municipal facilities were also not included.
No ban
West Haven
In July 2021, the city said it would not regulate cannabis any different than cigarettes, but it open to public comments.
No ban
Westbrook
The town is taking a "wait and see" approach to cannabis retail.
Unknown moratorium status
Willington
New information regarding the moratorium is not immediately available.
Moratorium
Wilton
Wilton's moratorium has been extended until Oct. 29, 2023.
No ban
Winchester
Regulations have been drafted by the planning and zoning commission.
No ban
Windham
The town has approved Fine Fettle as a hybrid dispensary, meaning it can sell both medical and adult-use recreational marijuana, if approved by the state.
Moratorium
Woodstock
Woodstock's moratorium has been extended until April 2023.
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Ginny Monk • ginny.monk@hearstmediact.com • @GinnyMonk
Julia Bergman • julia.bergman@hearstmediact.com • @JuliaSBergman
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Lindsay Boyle • lindsay.boyle@hearstmediact.com • @LindsayABoyle
Mike Pignataro • mpignataro@stamfordadvocate.com
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Andrew DaRosa • andrew.darosa@hearstmediact.com • @AndyDaRosa17
Derek Turner • derek.turner@hearstmediact.com • @DTurnerMedia