A blow to Springfield’s cannabis industry Tuesday night, as Alderman declined to refer a petition to the Springfield Planning and Zoning Commission that might have allowed expansion of craft cannabis.
The vote was 6 – 4 against a resolution to make the referral. Voting in support of it were Aldermen Gregory (Ward 2), Williams (Ward 3), Fulgenzi (Ward 4), and McMenamin (Ward 7).
Jeff Fulgenzi, son of Ward 4 Alderman John Fulgenzi, lobbied hard to at least have the Planning and Zoning Commission take a look at some different proposals, but in the end it was not enough.
“We welcome healthy policy debates,” Jeff said. “That’s not what we see here today. This has been made personal, and unfortunately the entire industry suffers. Springfield’s going to suffer. These businesses are going to be forced to leave town. It’s unfortunate. The Governor designed these programs to invest and reinvest in our community, and Alderwoman DiCenso has worked aggressively to block the Governor’s program.”