NewHavenBIZ

n e w h a v e n b i z . c o m | J a n u a r y 2 0 2 3 | n e w h a v e n B I Z 11 Laura Brown, executive director with the New Haven City Plan department, said in December her office had no pending cannabis-related applications. Cathy Graves, deputy director of economic development for New Hav- en, reported there is only one special permit approved for retail in the city, and that is for Affinity. However, more are interested, Graves said. She reported knowing of two other retailers that have not filed for special permits and/or confirmed a lo- cation. Additionally, one has confirmed a retail location, but has not yet filed for the special permit, Graves said. She wouldn't provide further details. Kebra Smith-Bolden, a registered nurse, opened CannaHealth in 2017. Her New Haven-based business pro- vides medical marijuana certifications to patients, in addition to cannabis-re- lated education and workshops. The company that builds and installs the critical systems in virtually every type of facility is the same company you can rely on to maintain them. For over 50 years, our clients have trusted us to deliver end-to-end facilities solutions, so they can focus on their core business. Experts in: Facilities Services, Preventive Maintenance Programs, Onsite Operations & Maintenance NEMSI SERVICE SOLUTIONS INCREASE PRODUCTIVITY. REDUCE COSTS. 860.871.1111 Toll Free: 800.741.6367 nemsi.com MECHANICAL | ELECTRICAL | PLUMBING | SHEET METAL | BUILDING AUTOMATION | FACILITIES SERVICES License #'s: E1-0125666 S1-302974 P1-203519 F1-10498 SM1-192 MC-1134 Smith-Bolden said she has been approved for a cultivation license and can have a retail location too. Her preference is to have her cultivation business in New Haven or the sur- rounding region. "I am from New Haven and want it to be here, but I have had a hard time finding a suitable property," Smith-Bolden said. As of late December, she was widening her search to other parts of Connecticut for her future cultivation operation. Her planned retail dispensary will be in New Haven, she said, and her hope is that it will be open by the summer of 2023. Smith-Bolden said she has 14 months to get her cultivation business operational, so she is looking at the first quarter of 2024 at the latest. "e existing medical operators have had a head start," Smith-Bolden said. "I thought it was a mistake not allowing social equity license holders to catch up." Some communities have been more welcoming of the industry than others, she noted. "We are all building a business from the ground up and need support from communities, so we can be successful, create jobs and reinvest in those com- munities," Smith-Bolden said. Real estate scramble Michelle Bodian, counsel with law firm Vicente Sederberg in its Boston office and co-chair of its hemp and cannabinoids department, represents several clients in Connecticut. ese entrepreneurs have faced sev- eral challenges in getting their business- es up and running, she said. In addition to securing the necessary licensing and approvals, Bodian noted that many are now on the hunt for real estate. "For the license winners, people are out there now pounding the pavement trying to find property," Bodian said. "ere is a bit of a scramble, especially on the retail side of things, given how some of the municipalities have opted out." For the towns and cities that are allow- ing marijuana sales, there are still zoning considerations, and finding available property within the appropriate zones Kebra Smith-Bolden, a registered nurse and owner of CannaHealth, is among the entrepreneurs planning to get into the recreational marijuana market. can be challenging, Bodian added. ere are additional hurdles such as getting inspections and securing products, which can delay opening operations too, she noted. "January 10 is going to be an import- ant date," Bodian said. "As we saw play out in Massachusetts and (in other states), there is a lot of excitement for the first stores. It's important for ev- eryone to remember — we are in this for the long run. Whether you open Jan. 10, 2023, or Jan. 10, 2024, there is going to be that consumer demand and that excitement whenever anyone is able to open up." Consumer demand DCP Commissioner Michelle H. Seagull said the department is aware that many people are excited to par- ticipate in this marketplace, both as businesses and consumers. "We encourage adults who choose to purchase and consume these prod- ucts to do so responsibly once sales begin on January 10," said Seagull, the cannabis industry's top regulator who recently announced plans to depart her role in the first quarter of 2023. Sales will be limited to one-quarter ounce (approximately 7 grams) of cannabis flower, or its equivalent, per transaction when the market opens. e DCP has indicated that it plans to review transaction limits as time goes by. Officials want to ensure busi- nesses can maintain adequate supply for both medical marijuana patients and adult-use consumers. n Dispensaries that will serve adult-use cannabis customers starting Jan. 10 • Affinity, New Haven • Bluepoint Wellness of Connecticut, Branford • Still River Wellness, Torrington • Fine Fettle Dispensary, Newington • Fine Fettle Dispensary, Stamford • Fine Fettle Dispensary, Willimantic • The Botanist, Danbury • The Botanist, Montville • Willow Brook Wellness, Meriden PHOTO | FILE IMAGE

• Cover