Two to four vape cartridges, which come in .5 mL and 1 mL sizes. Its a far cry from what many were led to believe, Ward said, stressing that the results of Connecticuts cannabis market remain to be seen later this year.. But on the positive side, Connecticut is no longer spending money to prosecute people for cannabis, Ward said in a phone interview from Hawaii, where he is working on lobbying that states legislature. As of October 2022, recreational marijuana use is legal in 19 states, Washington, D.C., and Guam, and medical use is legal is 38 states, but, on a federal level, it remains illegal and is. By Ginny Monk, Julia Bergman, Andrew DaRosa and Derek Turner | Feb. 11, 2022 | Updated: Jan. 11, 2023 9:16 AM Since the Connecticut legislature passed legal recreational cannabis in Connecticut in 2021, cities and towns across the state have been making decisions on how they will handle the new law. Residents over the age of 21 can legally possess and consume marijuana. While transporting, the cannabis needs to be stored in a locked glovebox or the trunk. However, due to high demand, the state Department of Consumer Protection warned that it may be a challenge, especially shortly after initial openings. Glastonbury's moratorium, which became effective in September 2021, is set to expire on March 1, 2023. Jeff Smith, legal and regulatory reporter for the Denver-based MJBizDaily, which tracks the cannabis industry, said Thursday that while Connecticut has been thorough in its planning, Rhode Island will start its retail sales industry by letting existing growers and dispensaries go right into recreation production and sales. Still, to this point, the Connecticut recreational cannabis market already provides for diverse business ownership, decriminalizes possession, and has been marked by little of the drama that plagued other states. PublishedJanuary 10, 2023 at 4:41 PM EST. Recreational pot will go on sale in CT Jan. 10 After 18 months, Connecticut regulators have set a date for the adult-use weed market to open for business. Bethany's Planning and Zoning Commission announced in October 2022 that it has drafted regulations to allow for a cannabis establishment in town. I think that we should have broadened the criteria for expungement by far.. For priority, call to make an appointment or place an order via our online ordering system. "As far as I am aware this topic has not been brought up to the Board of Selectmen," Gary Silver, the Media Coordinator for the Town of Bolton, said. If you do want to logout, please click "Logout". Transaction limits will be reviewed over time. New York is still developing its adult-sales regulations, while Rhode Islands new law was signed in May, with sales scheduled to begin as soon as December 1. Connecticut's first retail recreational cannabis sales will begin as soon as Jan. 10 Connecticut Public. Legal Cannabis Dispensaries . The initiative is expected to generate $250 million in sales in the first year and $750 million by the fourth year. Up to 7 pre-rolled cigarettes that weigh 1 gram each, or 14 pre-rolled cigarettes that weigh 0.5 grams each. Connecticut is the 20th state to allow dispensaries to sell the drug for recreational use. No updates have been provided since. MONTVILLE, Conn. -- Connecticut's first round of recreational cannabis sales for adults 21 and older kicked off Tuesday at seven existing medical marijuana establishments across the state, less than two years after Gov. Medical. Michel, the state representative, said recreational sales beginning was just the beginning. Yes. New information regarding the moratorium is not immediately available. There are 54,000 medical marijuana patients in Connecticut, according to government data. The state has released details on which communities will have reported zoning changes and will allow recreational marijuana and which will not. In-store purchases only. Patients who can make purchases ahead of time, or have their medicine delivered, are advised to do so. Dec 09, 2022 at 9:02 am. An award-winning freelance reporter/host for WSHU, Brian lives in southeastern Connecticut and covers stories for WSHU across the Eastern side of the state. New York, New Jersey and Connecticut with a . There will be three (3) taxes on retail sale of cannabis: the state's usual 6.35 percent sales tax, a 3 percent sales tax dedicated to the city or town where the sale occurs, and a tax based on THC content that will cost approximately 10 to15 percent of the sale price. The town adopted a moratorium on May 1, 2022 and it lasts until April 30, 2023. Now Zachs is preparing to use Fine Fettle to tap into the state's 2.4 million population who is 21 and . Connecticut, on the other hand, has emphasized the social equity aspects of the new industry. Nine dispensaries in Connecticut opened their doors Tuesday to make the first sales of recreational marijuana to adults aged 21 or older. We know that many people are excited to participate in this marketplace, whether as a business or a consumer, and we encourage adults who choose to purchase and consume these products to do so responsibly once sales begin on January 10.. Connecticut Medical Marijuana Dispensary wpengine 2022-11-08T06:52:58-05:00. For more information on how to obtain a license under 18 years old, An Act Concerning the Palliative Use of Marijuana, Agree to undertake the responsibility of managing a patient, Have no prior controlled substance convictions, Not be the qualifying patients physician. The planning and zoning commission will likely take the issue up formally in 2022, Jeremy Ginsberg, director of land use said. By Ayah Galal Published : Dec. 29, 2022 at 3:18 PM EST | Updated : Dec. 29, 2022 at 7:19 . Carjacking Suspect Seriously Injured in Crash Involving 5 Other Vehicles in Waterbury, Passenger on Plane Diverted to Bradley Airport Dies, Hartford Hospital's Transplant Team Saves Lives Every Day, NBC & Telemundo Connecticut Job Opportunities. FAQs Is marijuana legal in Connecticut? Retail will most likely follow the same rules that currently exists for alcoholic beverage sales with appropriate separation distances to impacted land uses such as churches, playgrounds, etc. They are as follows: Two of the businesses approved to open will not. Waterford Planning and Zoning Commission voted in favor of banning the sale of recreational cannabis in town. The employees who would be removed from the UMass Amherst union system work for the university's advancement office. We will be putting together a draft ordinance that, if adopted, will ban smoking cannabis in public spaces. Dispensary facilities that have been approved by the Department and that have converted to hybrid retailers may open to the general public and commence adult use cannabis sales at a date to be published on the Department's website. Promoting safe, healthy use of cannabis by those of legal age. The Curaleaf Hartford site opened . There are three different taxes on cannabis products in Connecticut. A moratorium expired June 15, 2022. Patients can change their caregiver through the DCP once a year if needed. You can get a 50$ oz of some fine mids or a 100$ oz of good good tree, and the option is there. They cannot be in the shape of an animal or in a shape that children may find appealing. No, patients under the age of 18 are allowed to qualify through one of the approved medical conditions listed above. "Our team has done a phenomenal job in making sure were ready for this.. Please read the articles below for more details, and check back regularly for updates. Suffield's PZC is in the process of drafting regulations for retailers and cultivators, the Journal Inquirer reported. "The more we do to take that away, the better our education will be in the state.. HUSKY Health is helping immigrants. For those considering starting a business, the licensing and review process is currently underway. Please be aware that there are also very specificadvertising guidelinesfor businesses who intend to participate in the retail sale of cannabis. The towns Planning Commission unanimously voted to recommend the ban last only six months. At home it can be used, although landlords have the right to prohibit smoking and vaping. Qualified patients can purchase flower, edibles (including baked goods), concentrates and transdermal products from their designated dispensary. "We . By accepting all cookies, you agree to our use of cookies to deliver and maintain our services and site, improve the quality of Reddit, personalize Reddit content and advertising, and measure the effectiveness of advertising. Dispensaries are getting ready to welcome more customers . North Stonington approved of new regulations for at least one cannabis retailer license and one micro-cultivator or. Capsules, pills and tablets are also not allowed. The SEC already has approved 16 applicants for the first group of cannabis growers in Connecticut, according to the Hartford Courant. Home growers are currently not allowed to do so. Connecticut Marijuana Laws. They are Still River Wellness in Torrington, which is working on the expansion ofits store, and The Botanist in Danbury, which is still working through local regulatory approval. Moratorium extended indefinitely on July 12, 2022. Or any combination up to 7 total grams, which equals 1/4 ounce. Wilton's moratorium has been extended until Oct. 29, 2023. Westport's ban excludes medical dispensaries. The city is closer to retail recreational cannabis sales with the Board of Alders overwhelming approval of zoning text amendments governing where cannabis and cannabis products can be sold, as well as where they can be consumed. Are you sure you want to log out of your account? It is illegal to consume medical marijuana in any public place in Connecticut. Learn more about the program and what it offers. Over the next six months, the department will continue to review and approve medical marijuana preservation plans and provisional license applications, as well as conduct additional lottery rounds, said Michelle Seagull, commissioner of the state Department of Consumer Protection. Medical dispensaries are currently open to qualifying patients. Sales will be limited to 1/4 ounce of cannabis flower, or its equivalent, per transaction when the market opens. for an in-depth breakdown on accepted qualifying conditions. Stores accept cash and debit cards. Connecticut legalized cannabis in June 2021, when Gov. Open now Order online. I look at it as the beginning of the end of the war on drugs, Michel said. Recreational marijuana is already sold in Massachusetts. Ned Lamont proposed a legislation that would permit the sale and possession of recreational marijuana in Connecticut, starting in 2022 and relying on the existing infrastructure of medical cannabis producers and dispensaries for a fast start while also offering opportunity to newcomers.. Gov. The town set a moratorium, which expires on June 8, 2023. On Tuesday, yes. Consumer Protection Reminds Adults 21+ Who Purchase Cannabis to Use Products Responsibly, Adult-Use Cannabis and Medical Marijuana Sales Surpass $13.3 million in January. These will vary by store, but Connecticut officials have created rules around them. Sharon's moratorium, which became effective in January 2022, was set to last for six months. The only stores opening now were previously operating as medical marijuana dispensaries and are able to convert their facilities. An early version of Norwalks cannabis ordinance will require recreational marijuana businesses to be at least 1,000 feet from schools, youth services facilities and rehab centers. Connecticut has one of the best equity programs, with half of the licenses going to those applicants. Putnam's moratorium was set to expire Sept. 18, 2022. Since the Connecticut legislature passed legal recreational cannabis in Connecticut in 2021, cities and towns across the state have been making decisions on how they will handle the new law. When he signed the law, Lamont said, For decades, the war on cannabis caused injustices and created disparities while doing little to protect public health and safety. The new law aims to correct those issues. Approved hybrid retail cannabis establishments as of July 12, 2022. Two more medical marijuana dispensaries, in Danbury and Torrington, are expected to begin serving recreational cannabis customers soon. "Today is historic, but the real story is about the benefits to come that will transform lives and communities.". Yes, you can petition the Commissioner of Consumer Protection via its Board of Physicians. While the SEC efforts are moving forward, state officials still say they need to complete work on the entire cannabis supply chain. CT proposal causes confusion, concern. Chief Operating Officer Cory Ravelson said recreational sales will provide multiple benefits to the state. Medical marijuana paraphernalia and other products are displayed inside the Fine Fettle dispensary in Newington, Connecticut, on Oct. 17, 2022. Each city and town was given the opportunity to decide whether to approve or prohibit establishments from opening in their community. Curbside pickup. As of July 1 it is legal for adults 21 years and . . There are no taxes for medical marijuana. A 6.35% sales tax, a 3% sales tax dedicated to the city or town where the sale occurs, and a tax based on THC content, which ranges from 10% to 15% of the sale price. The sales tax for adult-use products is 20% and 3% of that goes back to the city or town where they set up their business. And starting Friday, folks who have criminal records for possessing four ounces or less can petition the court for the erasure of criminal records, which is a huge step.. Retail dispensaries are expected to open mid-2022, but are not currently open at this time. March 10, 2022 CT medical marijuana dispensary has big plans to enter recreational market Photo | Contributed Fine Fettle dispensary has boosted safety measures during the COVID-19. In that regard, Connecticut is staying ahead of an issue that has arisen in other states. She also produces Long Story Short, a podcast exploring public policy issues across Connecticut. Delivery service companies are also being established in the state, but not yet open. But the legislation still lets local communities use zoning . Bozrah Planning & Zoning Commission approved regulations allowing Cultivator and Micro-cultivator Cannabis Establishments in the I-80 and I30 zoning districts, but clarifying that Cannabis Establishments other than Cultivators and Micro-cultivators are prohibited. We expect adult use sales to commence around the end of 2022.. Registered medical marijuana patients are allowed to consume cannabis in their own homes or on private property. The state also has a medical marijuana program for qualifying patients, which was passed into law under House Bill No. Patients must become qualified by a Connecticut-licensed physician who recommends medical cannabis to treat one or more state-approved qualifying conditions. Give today at any amount and join the 50,000 members who are Sales have started in Connecticut and possession of 1.5 oz of cannabis is now legal. "This industry is going to create more than 10,000 jobs over the next couple of years, and hundreds of millions in new revenue that will be reinvested in the communities most hard hit by the war on drugs," Adam Wood, president of the Connecticut Cannabis Chamber of Commerce, said in a statement. Get all the facts on the new law. A worker displayed fresh cannabis flower buds, in a 2019 file photo. With roughly 53,000 registered medical marijuana patients, MMJ sales in Connecticut were projected to be as high as $210 million in 2022. Check locally before consuming in public. Connecticut approved recreational cannabis use in June 2021. SB1201 was signed by Gov. The state of Connecticut has quietly put together a recreational cannabis market where retail sales could begin before the end of 2022. Annual sales could exceed $375 million next year, according to the 2022 MJBiz Factbook. According to the Hartford Courant, because this new legal pot law is unchartered territory for all of Connecticut's towns and cities, officials will be conducting extensive discussions about zoning regulations to limit where these dispensaries can be. State regulators currently anticipate retail sales of adult-use marijuana will begin by the end of 2022. There are 18 dispensaries in Connecticut and while nine of them are converting to offer retail cannabis, they are not scrapping the medical program. He is a graduate of Southern Connecticut State University. A combination of different product types that collectively amount to no more than of an ounce. On April 22, 2022: Application of the Durham Planning and Zoning Commission for a Text Amendment for Section 14.7 of the Durham Zoning Regulations to allow Cannabis Establishments by Special Permit in Certain Zones with specific standards and conditions. Even then, not all towns in Connecticut have approved dispensaries opening within their borders. Connecticut is the 20th state to allow dispensaries to sell the drug for recreational use. The city of Milford adopted an ordinance that. Smith said that the $3 million needed to become a cultivator is an incredibly high amount, necessitating a well-funded financial, likely corporate, backer. WILLIMANTIC As an adult-use cannabis industry draws closer to being a reality in Connecticut, Benjamin Zacks, chief operating officer of medical marijuana dispensary Fine Fettle, said the business and social impact is too big to ignore. Recreational marijuana is legal in Connecticut effective July 1, 2021, after the passing ofSB 1201. All adults will be able to grow under the same rules starting July 1, 2023. New Jerseys recent shift to adult-use recreational sales took the same path, Smith noted. That's a lot of people but I still don't think it's enough. Zoning regulations have been established for cannabis establishments. The ban on marijuana sales was enacted before the state's adult-use law was passed. All rights reserved, licensed hybrid retailers that they will be allowed to begin selling cannabis products, Together We Grow': Businesses Prepare for Legal Recreational Cannabis Sales, Low-Level Cannabis Possession Convictions Are Set to Be Cleared for Thousands in CT. NFL Combine 40-Yard Dash: Who Had the Fastest Time in 2023? The 1/4 ounce measurement means consumers can buy up to seven pre-rolled cigarettes that weigh a gram each, or two to four vape cartridges. A February 2023 meeting is scheduled to look at a proposal for new zoning regulations. He still enjoys playing soccer, and is a member of a rock 'n' roll band. If you are 21 and older and choose to use cannabis, do so responsibly. Ray Pantalena, a dispensary manager, said medical marijuana customers wont pay sales tax. Delivery is available by store. Stores have installed kiosks so that orders can be made online and 'budtenders' can help answers questions and help with the checkout process. The moratorium would give the Planning and Zoning Commission time to establish regulations. States officials have said they will continue to review the process for potential changes. Baked goods are often popular. "We know that many people are excited to participate in this marketplace . Affinity in New Haven, Bluepoint Wellness in Branford, Still River Wellness in Torrington, Fine Fettle stores in Newington, Stamford and WIllimantic, The Botanist stores in Danbury and Montville, [] Lamont's 2021 proposal - S.B. Connecticut The first recreational, adult-use cannabis sales in Connecticut will begin at nine hybrid retailers in January, according to the Department of Consumer . The following video from WFSB 3 digs deeper into the story of recreational cannabis in . ", "We're in a state where education is very linked to property tax," he said. Until at least the end of 2022, retail sales will not be possible. However, a physician can recommend a lower or higher dosage that the DCP must approve. It's the first 4/20 since CT legalized adult-use cannabis. Licensing Requirements, Timelines, and Selection Processes The first Connecticut cannabis license application period for each license type will open for a period of 90 days beginning in March 2022. In Stamford, Fine Fettle has been open for medical sales for over a year. Oxford has set an 18-month moratorium on "retail sales, manufacture, and cultivation" of cannabis. Long lines formed early in the morning outside of dispensaries: Today marks a turning point in the injustices caused by the war on drugs, most notably now that there is a legal alternative to the dangerous, unregulated, underground market for cannabis sales, Lamont said in a statement. 2012: Connecticut becomes the 17th state to allow medical use of marijuana. The town's moratorium was extended by three months before its expiration on Dec. 31, 2022. Nine medical marijuana operators have successfully completed the steps needed to expand their businesses to include the new market for adults 21 and over. These are the Medical Marijuana Dispensaries that have been notified that they successfully completed the necessary steps for conversion to a hybrid license and may begin selling cannabis products to all adults 21 and over, beginning no earlier than 10 a.m. on Jan. 10, 2023: Copyright 2023 NBCUniversal Media, LLC. Some people say that cannabis workouts led to better results because they can increase their focus and their ability to isolate the muscles that get the most work. So, were thrilled," Nelson said. Click "read more" and tell us in the form below. building a betterand more civilConnecticut to live, work, and play. Connecticut Recreational Marijuana Dispensary Customers. In the same vain, only white-colored packaging is allowed nothing flashy and specific warning labels are required. (203) 488-1388. It will be interesting to see the kind of partnering up that will be going on, Smith said. New information regarding the moratorium is not immediately available. Date: September 15, 2021. The policies and procedures related to the home grow provisions of the medical marijuana program are also available at eRegulations.ct.gov. 02/28/2022 04:30 AM EST. He has won awards from the National Society of Professional Journalists and the National Press Club; several awards from the National Society of Newspaper Columnists; and numerous awards for news and column-writing from the state chapter of the Society of Professional Journalists. That is going to be a great economic windfall for the state because of the tax. The department said that all existing medical marijuana producers have met the requirements for an expanded license that allows them to supply both the adult-use cannabis and medical marijuana markets. Please visit PotGuides Connecticut. Consumers are encouraged to check out offerings on store websites, if they have them, ahead of visiting the stores. The town council passed it as a land-use ban for any type of cannabis sales or production facilities. . by Erica E. Phillips December 9,. The Planning and Zoning Commission adopted a one-year moratorium April 1, 2022 on the acceptance of applications and the use of land or buildings for adult-use cannabis businesses. Although many of the hybrid retailers will provide separate checkout counters or cash registers for Medical Marijuana Program patients, they may still experience increased traffic, as well as crowds in and around the hybrid retailers in the opening days of the market.. 'What's the right level of enforcement?' Fine Fettle runs three Connecticut dispensaries. Please visit PotGuides Connecticutlegal pagefor an in-depth breakdown on accepted qualifying conditions. A CT bill would expand it. Ben & Jerrys has released a statement promising to take decisive action when it learns of child labor on dairy farms supplying milk for its products.That's in response to a story from the New York Times about migrant children working in conditions in violation of labor laws across the U.S. Corporate Support: Advertising & Sponsorship, UMass Amherst unions question university plan to privatize more than 100 jobs, Ben & Jerry's condemns child labor in Vermont's dairy industry after New York Times investigation, Karen Hobert Flynn, Common Cause leader and CT reformer, dies, The state's best spellers gather in West Hartford for Connecticut Spelling Bee, Meet Snowflake, an old cat at a CT vet clinic that comforts pets and humans, Connecticut COVID data: Your town's infection rate, hospitalizations & vaccinations, As new research suggests COVID-19 is now endemic, physicians push back, Long COVID rates fall by half nationwide, New England rates among lowest, Turkish restaurant in the Upper Valley aims to help those affected by recent earthquakes, Affinity Health and Wellness in New Haven, Bluepoint Wellness of Connecticut in Branford, Fine Fettle Dispensary in Newington, Stamford and Willimantic. Prior to that he worked as city editor of the Record-Journal and a reporter before that covering his hometown of Meriden. Date: December 16, 2021. Individuals may possess up to 1.5 oz, with an additional 5 oz locked in a home or car. Lawmakers approved the Connecticut recreational cannabis market in June 2021. The vote came the day before recreational cannabis sales began in the state. But while the rollout has been slightly bumpy, with the General Assembly passing a law this year to halt informal, untaxed sales of cannabis that had emerged from the underground, the state is on-track to begin retails sales by the end of the calendar year with dozens of new businesses owned by people from neighborhoods that for generations had been targets in the failed war on drugs.