Hartford Business Journal

HARTFORDBUSINESS.COM | August 1, 2022 17 equity cultivator status, but Salinas said they are still moving forward with their campus concept. They also have other lottery license applications pending. "One of the reasons I'm excited about Hartford is because of potential partnerships with UConn," Salinas said. "UConn's cannabis center is an unspoken hero, in my mind, in the region." He said having higher education entities willing to research and provide data on the science and business of cannabis is a huge asset to the state and Hartford in particular. Salinas, who runs the popular District co-working space in New Haven, is also an investor in 1906, a Colorado-based cannabis company that specializes in THC and CBD pills. Earlier this year, 1906 received a $1.25 million investment from Connecticut Innovations, the state's quasi-public venture arm, and announced it will be relocating to Connecticut. The company is expected to have a Hartford presence, according to Connecticut Innovations. "I honestly think Hartford is a winner," Salinas said. Cannabis tourism Hartford City Councilman T.J. Clarke II said restrictions on cultivators and retail establishments in suburban towns give cities an edge in attracting new cannabis businesses. "It's all about social equity, right?" Clarke said. "So all roads, to me, are leading to Hartford and the more urban cities." Clarke said he thinks the city's Planning and Zoning Commission has done a thorough job of outlining where cannabis businesses can operate. Tax revenue and job creation will mean Hartford can "reap the benefits" of the legal cannabis law, he said, so the city should do what it can to support that. Hartford Mayor Luke Bronin has been supportive of the cannabis industry, but declined to comment for this story. By establishing welcoming zoning laws, Hartford has an edge in becoming a leader in the industry, said Daniel Glissman, an attorney with Hartford law firm MacDermid Reynolds & Glissman P.C. "That's a really important step — people actually know where they can and can't go," Glissman said. He said one hurdle for potential businesses in the city will be navigating the buffer requirement between cannabis operations. With limited space, retail stores will have to spread out or receive special variances to open near each other. "But otherwise, the warehouse stock is decent in Hartford," Glissman said of the potential for cultivation operations within the city's limits. "Those will be good projects." Christie, the aspiring marijuana grower, said "cannabis tourism" also has real potential in Hartford, with the ability to host events and conventions for the industry. "Connecticut and Hartford have this great entrepreneurial opportunity right now," Christie said. leadership in terms of "intentional and thoughtful" cannabis zoning guidelines, are positioning the city to be a major industry player. While many municipalities have banned or placed moratoriums on cannabis companies, Hartford officials have largely embraced the industry, drafting guidelines that allow retailers to locate in the downtown and Main Street districts as well as other parts of the city. Cultivation facilities may open in industrial and commercial- industrial districts. "I think [Hartford] has a great opportunity to be a leader in the industry," said Hercules, who is a criminal defense attorney by trade. "This will be a whole new revenue stream for the city that can be used for redevelopment, beautification, education, youth programming. It just allows Hartford to really continue on this path forward of revitalizing itself and becoming an attractive place to live, work and play." Hercules also has submitted a social equity application to open a retail business in Hartford. Dispensary licenses have not yet been awarded. Prospect list There are at least two other entrepreneurs looking to launch Hartford dispensaries. Derrick Gibbs, CEO of Middletown-based homecare and behavioral health provider Change Incorporated, submitted plans to open a dispensary on Front Street, at 89 Arch St., in the former 2,500-square-foot home of Blind Pig Pizza. However, that proposal faces opposition from the Capital Region Development Authority, which has zoning authority over the Front Street property and has argued a dispensary doesn't fit with the area's family-friendly environment. Gibbs told the Hartford Courant that he was frustrated by the opposition and he and his partners would consider a location in another city. Another Hartford resident, Kevin Henry, is eyeing the Parkville neighborhood for a dispensary. Henry submitted an application in May to open a retail outlet in a 4,380-square- foot building at 1396 Park St. The city's Planning and Zoning Commission approved a special permit for his plan July 26. In addition, Rita Castucci from Southend Harvest House LLC has submitted an application to open a cannabis micro cultivator business at 722 Wethersfield Ave. In June, serial entrepreneur David Salinas announced he was partnering with Hartford resident Janice Flemming-Butler to launch Let's Grow Hartford, a "cannabis campus" that could house several different brands and businesses. The two weren't approved for social Daniel Glissman T.J. Clarke II David Salinas Derrick Gibbs Jr. Entrepreneur and Hartford native Mark Christie has plans to move back to the city and open a cannabis grow operation. His company, FRC Holdings LLC, is looking at city- owned land on Homestead Avenue to build a new 50,000-square-foot cultivation facility. HBJ PHOTO | SKYLER FRAZER

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