Newington PZC approves medical cannabis dispensary for eventual recreational sales

Newington’s Planning and Zoning Commission provided an initial greenlight to medical cannabis dispensary Fine Fettle, as it pursues expanding its license and selling to Connecticut’s forthcoming adult-use market.

In a public hearing Wednesday night, Town Planning and Zoning Commissioners unanimously approved a special permit allowing Fine Fettle — which also owns and operates medical dispensaries in Willimantic and Storrs — to operate in town as a “hybrid” cannabis retailer selling to the adult-use as well as the medical market. Commissioners, who noted Rick Carbray, CEO of the Newington dispensary, formerly served on Newington’s Town Council, didn’t ask any questions before approving the measure.

“My understanding of the law is the state will not be issuing licenses for some time, up until perhaps next spring,” Newington Town Planner Renata Bertotti said. “[But] there is nothing in the law that prevents the Commission… from issuing them or them seeking an approval for their location in preparation for applying [for state licensure].”

The local approval is a necessary step for a business to convert a medical cannabis license to a hybrid one, or for new businesses to get final licensing. The state cannabis legalization statute allows medical cannabis businesses to submit applications to expand their licenses beginning Sept. 1, without applying through the lottery system. 

DCP-approved dispensary facilities that converted to hybrid retailers may open their premises to the general public and commence adult use cannabis sales 30 days after legal retail cannabis is available for purchase in Connecticut.

Headquartered in Hartford, Fine Fettle Dispensary Holdings LLC operates six facilities in Connecticut, Massachusetts and Rhode Island.

In his presentation to the Planning and Zoning Commission, Fine Fettle COO Benjamin Zachs went over the store’s security measures, cannabis tracking system and other details. He said the town has been hospitable to the business since it began operating as a medical dispensary in 2019.

“We’re incredibly honored and proud to be doing what we’re already doing in Newington,” Zachs said. “We’ve found the town to be an incredible partner… we’re going to do this the right way if given the opportunity.”