Marcia Chambers Photo
Vacant Sovereign/Santander Bank.
Pharmacist Nick Tamborrino, the founder and manager of Bluepoint Wellness, asked the Planning & Zoning Commission (P&Z)Thursday to approve his application for a larger medical marijuana dispensary, one that can accommodate a new population, minors with certain verified medical conditions. After a short public hearing, the P&Z approved the application with conditions.
Tamborrino told the commission he had been operating successfully since the town’s first marijuana dispensary opened two years ago this month next door to his proposed new facility, the first floor of a vacant bank. He plans to convert the first floor into separate spaces for adults and minors, including children.
In an interview, Tamborrino told the Eagle that two years ago he started with 400 patients who lived in New Haven and surrounding shoreline areas. Now he has 2,500 patients. The number of dispensaries has grown statewide as well, from six to nine. The marijuana offices come under heavy state regulations that require strict protocols for licensing and security. Access is given to registered patients who must make an appointment to receive services.
Marcia Chambers Photo
Tamborrino (pictured) told the P & Z that as of Oct 1, “the state will allow the use of medical canibus for pediatric use. We needed larger premises. Finding a new location was very important to me. I want to keep the pediatric population separate from the adult population. This is one of the main reasons for our move.”
Connecticut is one of 23 states that has a “comprehensive” medical marijuana program, but the only state that did not allow any access to it for minors. The legislature and the governor changed that last May after hearing from many residents.
Branford and five other towns were the first to launch the state’s medical marijuana program in 2014. Tamborrino first opened Bluepoint Wellness in a separate section of the building that houses the Planet Fitness gym at 469 East Main St.
Tamborrino told the P & Z he wants to move right across the street from 469 to 471 East Main Street, from a small facility to the entire first floor of the now empty Sovereign/Santander Bank. There is ample parking outside.
New Law for Minors Takes Effect Oct. 1
The motivating force for seeking a larger home, Tamborrino said, was the new law signed by the governor last May that will expand the state’s medical marijuana program to minors who suffer certain medical conditions. Those medical conditions include: suffering a terminal illness requiring end-of-life care; cystic fibrosis, cerebral palsy, severe epilepsy or uncontrolled intractable seizure disorder; or an irreversible spinal cord injury with certain neurological conditions.
To qualify a person under 18 needs permission from a parent or guardian and two physicians. The form of the marijuana they would be given would not be smoked vaporized or inhaled.
In addition to the dispensing area, the apothecary will provide offices for pediatric counseling and adult counseling.
The pharmacist answered several questions posed by the commissioners and by the public. He told the commission that the bank’s vault will now be used to store medical marijuana.
After everyone who wanted to speak did so, P&Z Chairman Chuck Andres announced that the public hearing on this issue was complete. A staff report recommends a series of conditions, including the planting of five street canopy trees in the front yard area. The application was approved with conditions.
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