More than 460 Kent residents made their voices heard on cannabis retail and cultivation in a recent town survey. Sarah Chase, chair of the Planning and Zoning Commission's Cannabis Regulation Subcommittee, presented the findings of the survey — which are publicly available on the town website — at the group's April 3 special meeting.
In her executive summary, she concluded that "the data reflects a cautious but open-minded community — one that supports medical access, values farming traditions, and seeks to preserve the unique character of Kent."
The survey received responses from approximately 10% of the town's population. Results showed support for the cultivation of hemp products with 54% in approval.
For retail sales, 44% of responses indicated disapproval of recreational cannabis businesses, while only 29% were in favor. In total, 79% of respondents felt Kent should maintain its rural and agricultural identity when weighing the impacts of the cannabis growing and retail industries.
Read more at The Lakeville Journal