CONNECTICUT, USA — Recreational sales of cannabis in Connecticut will begin on Jan. 10, 2023.
The Connecticut Department of Consumer Protection (DCP) announced Friday they let hybrid retailers know they can begin sales no earlier than 10 a.m. that day to adults over the age of 21.
DCP said that following the Social Equity Council's vote on Tuesday, all existing medical marijuana producers have met the requirements for an expanded license that allowed them to supply both the recreational and medical markets.
DCP Commissioner Michelle H. Seagull said that she was proud of the hard work the team had done to meet the goal of opening the sales in a safe, well-regulated market.
“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," said Seagull.
Recreational sales will be limited to 1/4 ounce of flower, or its equivalent, per transaction when the market opens to patrons 21 and older.
Transaction limits will be reviewed over time and are in place to ensure businesses can maintain an adequate supply for both recreational and medical users. Patients in the medical marijuana program can purchase up to five ounces per month.
DCP said that different types and sizes of products might be purchased together up to 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 seven pre-rolled cigarettes that weigh 1 gram each, or 14 pre-rolled cigarettes that weigh 0.5 grams each. Or any combination of 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.
- A combination of different product types that collectively amount to no more than ¼ of an ounce.
Medical users are being advised to purchase any necessary medication before Jan. 10 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.
There are several medical marijuana dispensaries that have been notified they can begin selling recreational cannabis; many already provide medical cannabis:
- Affinity - New Haven
- Bluepoint Wellness of Connecticut - Branford
- Still River Wellness - Torrington
- Fine Fettle Dispensary - Newington
- Fine Fettle Dispensary - Stamford
- Fine Fettle Dispensary - Willimantic
- The Botanist - Danbury
- The Botanist - Montville
- Willow Brook Wellness - Meriden
Willow Brook Wellness in Meriden is one of nine medical marijuana facilities converting into hybrid medical and recreational sales on Jan. 10.
“Expect some long lines,” said Vincent Bucchieri, a pharmacist and GM at Willow Brook. “You kind of want to be part of the experience on day one. It’s a cool thing to say I was there and able to get stuff.”
Nearly 100 businesses are somewhere in a licensing pipeline with the consumer protection department and 42 provisional licenses have already been granted. The consumer protection department says more shops will open in 2023.
“A lot of equity joint ventures, cultivators, and social equity lottery applicants who are already in the pipeline and we expect them to be opening their businesses soon after the launch of the market,” said Deputy Commissioner Andrea Comer.
For more information regarding the recreational sales of marijuana, head to this website.
Jennifer Glatz is a digital content producer at FOX61 News. She can be reached at jglatz@fox61.com.
Samaia Hernandez is a reporter for FOX61 News. She can be reached at shernandez@fox61.com. Follow her on Facebook, Twitter, and Instagram.
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