Nine dispensaries in Connecticut opened their doors Tuesday to make the first sales of recreational marijuana to adults aged 21 or older. 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. Connecticut's nation-leading medical marijuana program will continue to serve patients. Even then, not all towns in Connecticut have approved dispensaries opening within their borders. Stores have installed kiosks so that orders can be made online and 'budtenders' can help answers questions and help with the checkout process. Some haulers caught, Arming guidance counselors? 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. community-supported public media service, Connecticut Public has relied on donor support for more than 50 years. No, there is no medical marijuana reciprocity in Connecticut. Developed to make sure the adult-use cannabis program is grown equitably and ensure funds are brought back to the communities hit hardest by the "war on drugs.". 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. "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. Insa CT currently has a business address of 35 Center St., Chicopee, Mass., but this will be the Massachusetts company's first endeavor in Connecticut. Examples of what 1/4 of an ounce of cannabis flower or its equivalent might look like include: Patients in the Medical Marijuana Program are advised to purchase any necessary medication prior to Jan. 10, or at one of the nine medical-only dispensaries in the state, as long lines and traffic are expected around the hybrid retailers during the opening weeks of adult-use sales. Sales are limited to 1/4 ounce of cannabis flower, or the equivalent, for each transaction. In that regard, Connecticut is staying ahead of an issue that has arisen in other states. Copyright 2023 NBCUniversal Media, LLC. North Stonington approved of new regulations for at least one cannabis retailer license and one micro-cultivator or. The town will allow cannabis retail, but not growing or manufacturing. Michel said the money collected from the tax should go toward healthcare and education, education for sure. A standard-sized brownie or cookie can be the equivalent of .08 grams of cannabis flower. In July 2021, the city said it would not regulate cannabis any different than cigarettes, but it open to public comments. 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.. And we've seen the model work in other places. Connecticut The first recreational, adult-use cannabis sales in Connecticut will begin at nine hybrid retailers in January, according to the Department of Consumer . Check locally before consuming in public. The policies and procedures related to the home grow provisions of the medical marijuana program are also available at eRegulations.ct.gov. Of the 20 percent, 3 percent is also a local tax that goes to the city or town where the sale occurs. Connecticut Public. The rule is designed to ensure that adequate cannabis product is available for Connecticut medical marijuana patients. Registered medical marijuana patients are allowed to consume cannabis in their own homes or on private property. For years, state officials wrestled with the idea of creating a retail cannabis industry, first starting with a medical marijuana program. But it's likely that many more will open in 2023 and beyond. Connecticut's first retail recreational cannabis sales are scheduled for Tuesday, Jan. 10. "People are . Ginny Monk ginny.monk@hearstmediact.com @GinnyMonk, Julia Bergman julia.bergman@hearstmediact.com @JuliaSBergman, Lindsay Boyle lindsay.boyle@hearstmediact.com @LindsayABoyle, Mike Pignataro mpignataro@stamfordadvocate.com, Andrew DaRosa andrew.darosa@hearstmediact.com @AndyDaRosa17, Derek Turner derek.turner@hearstmediact.com @DTurnerMedia. All adults over age 21 will be able to grow under the same rules starting July 1, 2023. Social equity applicants are being reviewed for licenses as a cultivator, producer, manufacturer, food and beverage manufacturer, sales, dispensary facilities, delivery service and transporters. Connecticut legalized cannabis in June 2021, when Gov. 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. Were excited for the community to now have access on a larger scale and get to see the products that the state of Connecticuts producers are making, that were able to sell. Connecticuts largest municipality has reversed course and is now putting up the welcome sign for legalized cannabis businesses. The Curaleaf Hartford site opened . In February of 2021 Gov. Waterbury's moratorium was set to expire on Aug. 9, 2022. Recreational marijuana is legal in Connecticut effective July 1, 2021, after the passing of. The Connecticut Center for Economic Analysis at UConn found in a 2020 study that even measured conservatively, adult-use retail sales will mean increased business growth and significant creation of new jobs, especially if the state can beat New York and Rhode Island to open its marketplace. Your donation today will allow us to continue this work on your behalf. Municipal facilities were also not included. Updated: Sep 13, 2022 / 03:31 AM EDT. "The more we do to take that away, the better our education will be in the state.. Mid-2022: The first recreational dispensaries are expected to open in Connecticut. The Marijuana Policy Project estimates that cannabis will generate $1.1 billion in state and local tax revenue in the first seven years of legalization. Bethany's Planning and Zoning Commission announced in October 2022 that it has drafted regulations to allow for a cannabis establishment in town. 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. Date: September 15, 2021. Normally, The Botanist would serve around 350 medical marijuana patients on a daily basis. Learn more about the program and what it offers. 888 would legalize possession up to one . Beginning July 2023, recreational users may grow with the same limits. This includes licensing on in-state retail locations, testing labs, and growers. And, especially early on, expect longer lines and perhaps traffic in the area. However, a physician can recommend a lower or higher dosage that the DCP must approve. Oxford has set an 18-month moratorium on "retail sales, manufacture, and cultivation" of cannabis. Ken Dixon is a reporter with Hearst Connecticut Media Group. Existing medical marijuana producers can go into adult-use retail for $3 million, as well. Old Saybrook's moratorium was scheduled to expire at the end of May 2022. Retail sales of recreational cannabis are expected to begin some time in 2022. Burlington's moratorium expired Sept. 8, 2022. That means while state officials hope to launch retail sales by the end of 2022, they have not yet set an exact date. Ned Lamont signed Senate Bill 1201 into law. Recreational marijuana sales will begin in Connecticut on Jan. 10, 2023 - but with limits. See something we missed? A six month moratorium began on Jan. 8, 2022. Planning and development unanimously approved a moratorium on adult-use cannabis sales on Nov. 24, 2021. Marijuana has been legal in CT for a year, but still not for sale: 'They still have a lot to do' Ken Dixon July 1, 2022 4 A full year into Connecticut's legalization of adult-use cannabis, the state has yet to reap a single tax dollar from sales of recreational marijuana. New Jersey began retail sales on April 21 after the state's medical marijuana dispensaries converted to hybrid licenses. The city of Milford adopted an ordinance that. In fact, we've gone the other way, and we're actively recruiting cannabis businesses in the town," Eric Anderson, the Town Administrator, said. 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"We have bits and pieces of the area in everything that we cook here," says Tuckerbox owner Jackie Oktay. Kate Nelson, the senior vice president for the Midwest and New England region at Acreage Holdings, who own The Botanist medical marijuana dispensary in Montville, said Connecticuts cannabis industry is excited to share their product with the state. At the same time, the Social Equity Council will be reviewing applications submitted by social equity applicants and work force development plans submitted by medical marijuana producers and dispensaries applying to convert to the recreational program. Dec 09, 2022 at 9:02 am. . Patients must become qualified by a Connecticut-licensed physician who recommends medical cannabis to treat one or more state-approved qualifying conditions. The state plans to award half of all initial cannabis retail licenses to social equity applicants. Starting in 2026, they expect we'll see $125 million per year in cannabis tax revenue. Tom Sparkman, First Selectman of Lisbon, said he hasnt yet heard any interest in a dispensary or a growing site yet, according to the Norwich Bulletin. The DCP will hold two lotteries for each license type: a social equity lottery and a general lottery. by Erica E. Phillips December 9,. On Tuesday, yes. Some municipalities outright banned legal cannabis businesses in their town, while others passed a moratorium to give local leaders more time to study and create regulations.With recreational cannabis establishments starting to open around the state, some towns are beginning to revisit their moratoriums. The town adopted a moratorium on May 1, 2022 and it lasts until April 30, 2023. We expect adult use sales to commence around the end of 2022.. Growth operations will be allowed in Industrial Districts with some specific standards. It opened the first in Willimantic and later acquired two others, which today operate in Newington and Stamford. No, patients under the age of 18 are allowed to qualify through one of the approved medical conditions listed above. . 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. Glastonbury's moratorium, which became effective in September 2021, is set to expire on March 1, 2023. Connecticut legalized recreational cannabis in 2021, but you won't be able to find dispensaries in the state yet, and probably won't until early next year when recreational cannabis sales are officially launched. Storefront. Connecticut, on the other hand, has emphasized the social equity aspects of the new industry. Ned Lamont signed the bill it into law. Stores accept cash and debit cards. The town council passed it as a land-use ban for any type of cannabis sales or production facilities. The state has released details on which communities will have reported zoning changes and will allow recreational marijuana and which will not. In July 2021, the state decriminalized cannabis, allowing adults to possess 1.5 ounces legally and up to five ounces in a locked container at home. Aug 31, 2022 at 6:00 am. Each city and town was given the opportunity to decide whether to approve or prohibit establishments from opening in their community. But people who applied are facing long odds.. He still enjoys playing soccer, and is a member of a rock 'n' roll band. . Give today at any amount and join the 50,000 members who are Many of those medical marijuana dispensaries will open for business as retail-medical hybrids on Tuesday the first day retail sales can legally happen. New information regarding the moratorium is not immediately available. HARTFORD The Connecticut Department of Consumer Protection has notified licensed hybrid retailers that they may begin selling cannabis products to all adults 21 and over beginning no earlier than 10 a.m., or as local zoning permits, on Tuesday, January 10, 2023. New York, New Jersey and Connecticut with a . 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. They believe with the new law they will probably see their daily customer numbers grow to around 1,500. Insa currently operates three recreational . CT proposal causes confusion, concern, RISE, formerly known as Bluepoint Wellness of Connecticut, Branford, Zen Leaf, formerly known as Willow Brook Wellness, Meriden. Initially, those stores can provide delivery if they so choose. Two more medical marijuana dispensaries, in Danbury and Torrington, are expected to begin serving recreational cannabis customers soon. Residents 21 and older are able to possess up to 1.5 ounces, while they can also store up to five ounces in a locked container at home. With roughly 53,000 registered medical marijuana patients, MMJ sales in Connecticut were projected to be as high as $210 million in 2022. New information regarding the moratorium is not immediately available. Those charged with simple possession of 4 ounces or less before Jan. 1, 2000, or from Oct. 1, 2015 through June 30, 2021 will be eligible to petition the Superior Court to have their criminal . It's a big deal because of all the people who have been locked up, especially for people who look like me, my friends, family, this is a good opportunity, Ian said. This news story is funded in large part by Connecticut Publics Members Study Shows Theres a Limit, Train police officers in the latest techniques of detecting and preventing impaired driving, Expunging criminal records of people convicted of certain cannabis crimes, Directing new funding to prevention and recovery services that help prevent cannabis use by minors. State Representative David Michel, D-Stamford, was at Fine Fettle for opening day. Up to 7 pre-rolled cigarettes that weigh 1 gram each, or 14 pre-rolled cigarettes that weigh 0.5 grams each. 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. Weve carefully crafted a securely regulated market that prioritizes public health, public safety, social justice and equity.. Governor Ned Lamont passed a bill that legalized cannabis in 2021. Griswold set a one-year moratorium, which became effective in September 2021. Bristol adopted rules and regulations on adult-use cannabis in the city on August 10, 2022. 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, [] 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. Woodstock's moratorium has been extended until April 2023. passed legal recreational cannabis in Connecticut. 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.. Granby's moratorium is set to expire Aug. 31, 2023. New information regarding the moratorium is not immediately available. One edible serving cannot have more than 5 milligrams of THC. The state also has a medical marijuana program for qualifying patients, which was passed into law under House Bill No. By Ayah Galal Published : Dec. 29, 2022 at 3:18 PM EST | Updated : Dec. 29, 2022 at 7:19 . Out here in CO there are dozens of flower providers, and edibles, and concentrates. Cannabis sales to adults in Connecticut can begin next week, according to the Connecticut Department of Consumer Protection. They are as follows: Two of the businesses approved to open will not. After briefly considering a six-month moratorium, the Zoning Commission voted unanimously in late March to allow recreational marijuana sales and cannabis production facilities within the town limits.