By Linda Lemmon
Town Crier Editor
PUTNAM — Nothing is signed but there is some solid interest in a cannabis store in Putnam Plaza on Rt. 44.
Mark D’Addabbo of Putnam Plaza LLC (MarkV Development of West Hartford) recently received approval from the town’s Zoning Commission for the retail sale of cannabis. The store would be at 97 Providence Pike, between Big Gary’s Discount Liquors and Tractor Supply.
Between the two stores there is about 8,000 square feet and it’s dividable. Typically, he said, those types of (cannabis) stores are 3,000 to 4,000 square feet.
“Now that we have the town’s blessing I’ll be working on getting a commitment,” said D’Addabbo.
D’Addabbo said the area in general is on the upswing. There’s a lot of visibility, the traffic count is high, a car dealership is planned for across the street and a Burger King opened recently.
The gauntlet for a potential cannabis retailer is tough. They have to get a license from the state and that process is very complicated. D’Addabbo said is a “significant” investment for a license. Security for the store would be high, there is no eating or smoking of the product onsite; cameras are to be installed all over.
Eighteen to 20 percent of the price of the product is taxes: The state sales tax of 6.35 percent, a 10 to 15 percent tax based on the potency of the product and 3 percent to the town.

.