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.
On Tuesday, the state's Social Equity Council determined 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.
The law requires at least 250,000 square feet of growing and manufacturing space in the aggregate be approved for adult-use production before retail sales can begin at licensed retailers, including hybrid retailers. With all four producers successfully converted, the 250,000 square-foot threshold has been met.
Sales will be limited to 1/4 ounce of cannabis flower, or its equivalent, per transaction when the market opens. Transaction limits will be reviewed over time, and are in place to ensure businesses are able to maintain adequate supply for both adult-use consumers and medical marijuana patients. Patients in the Medical Marijuana Program may purchase up to 5 ounces per month.
Different types and sizes of products may be purchased together up to a total of 1/4 ounce of cannabis flower or its equivalent per transaction. Examples of what 1/4 of an ounce of cannabis flower or its equivalent might look like include:
- Up to 7 pre-rolled cigarettes that weigh 1 gram each, or 14 pre-rolled cigarettes that weigh 0.5 grams each. Or any combination up to 7 total grams, which equals 1/4 ounce.
- Two to four vape cartridges, which come in .5 mL and 1 mL sizes.
- Edibles vary by type and size. A standard-sized brownie or cookie can be the equivalent of .08 grams of cannabis flower. One edible serving cannot have more than 5 milligrams of THC.
Patients in the Medical Marijuana Program are advised to purchase any necessary medication prior to January 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.
The following dispensaries can begin selling cannabis products on January 10, 2023:
- Affinity in New Haven
- Bluepoint Wellness of Connecticut in Branford
- Still River Wellness in Torrington
- Fine Fettle Dispensary in Newington, Stamford and Willimantic
- The Botanist in Danbury and Montville
- Willow Brook Wellness in Meriden
Cannabis was approved for adult-use in June 2021. Since then, the Department of Consumer Protection has worked aggressively to move toward the opening of a regulated cannabis marketplace.
