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Cannabis in Connecticut

Connecticut legalized adult-use cannabis via legislature in June 2021, and the law took effect on July 1, 2021.

The state legalized medical cannabis in 2012, and patients were able to access it in 2014. Connecticut’s medical marijuana laws keep the state’s program very limited in scope with only 18 licensed dispensaries across the state. Only licensed pharmacists are allowed to apply for and obtain a dispensary license from the Department of Consumer Protection

Furthermore, only producers licensed by the Department of Consumer Protection can cultivate and manufacture marijuana in Connecticut, and the state does not allow more than 10 active producer licenses at any time.

Overview of Key Connecticut Cannabis Laws

Is medical cannabis allowed? Yes

Is adult-use cannabis allowed? Yes

Personal Laws

Cannabis is legal in Connecticut, and adults age 21 and older may possess up to one and a half ounces of cannabis. All medical cannabis must be purchased from licensed dispensaries as personal growing is not allowed.

Each medical marijuana patient can have one caregiver if the need for the caregiver is documented by the patient’s physician in his or her written certification to the Department of Consumer Protection. The patient must identify the caregiver, and the caregiver must register with the Connecticut Medical Marijuana Program.

Personal Possession

Possession: Up to 1 ½ oz.

Registered Medical Patient Possession: Up to 1/2 oz.

Personal Growing

Up to three mature plants and three immature plants beginning July 2023.

Registered Medical Patient Growing: None

Registered Caregiver Growing: None

Medical Cannabis Patient Qualification and Registry

Patients are required to register for a medical marijuana certificate to purchase medical cannabis from licensed dispensaries within the state. Patients must have a qualifying condition that is being treated by a Connecticut-licensed physician or advanced practice registered nurse.

Qualifying medical conditions for adults age 18 and older include:

  • Cancer
  • Glaucoma
  • HIV/AIDS
  • Parkinson’s Disease
  • Multiple Sclerosis
  • Damage to the Nervous Tissue of the Spinal Cord with Objective Neurological Indication of Intractable Spasticity
  • Epilepsy
  • Cachexia
  • Wasting Syndrome
  • Crohn’s Disease
  • Post-Traumatic Stress Disorder
  • Sickle Cell Disease
  • Post Laminectomy Syndrome with Chronic Radiculopathy
  • Severe Psoriasis and Psoriatic Arthritis
  • Amyotrophic Lateral Sclerosis
  • Ulcerative Colitis
  • Complex Regional Pain Syndrome, Type 1 and Type II
  • Cerebral Palsy
  • Cystic Fibrosis
  • Irreversible Spinal Cord Injury with Objective Neurological Indication of Intractable Spasticity
  • Terminal Illness Requiring End-Of-Life Care
  • Uncontrolled Intractable Seizure Disorder
  • Spasticity or Neuropathic Pain Associated with Fibromyalgia
  • Severe Rheumatoid Arthritis
  • Post Herpetic Neuralgia
  • Hydrocephalus with Intractable Headache
  • Intractable Headache Syndromes
  • Neuropathic Facial Pain
  • Muscular Dystrophy
  • Osteogenesis Imperfecta
  • Chronic Neuropathic Pain Associated with Degenerative Spinal Disorders

Qualifying medical conditions for patients under age 18 include:

  • Cerebral Palsy
  • Cystic Fibrosis
  • Irreversible Spinal Cord Injury with Objective Neurological Indication of Intractable Spasticity
  • Severe Epilepsy
  • Terminal Illness Requiring End-Of-Life Care
  • Uncontrolled Intractable Seizure Disorder
  • Muscular Dystrophy
  • Osteogenesis Imperfecta

Business Laws

Rules have not been released for Connecticut’s adult-use cannabis program.

For the state’s medical cannabis program, vertical integration or “license stacking” is allowed, which means a company can hold multiple licenses across the Connecticut supply chain (e.g., both cultivation and dispensary licenses). Residency is not required to apply for a cannabis business license in Illinois.

License Types

  1. Medical Producer Licenses
  2. Medical Dispensary Licenses

License Fees

Medical Producer: $25,000 application fee plus $75,000 registration fee

Medical Dispensary: $1,000 application fee plus $5,000 license fee

License Timeline

The Connecticut Department of Consumer Protection plans to start issuing adult-use business licenses to grow and sell cannabis by the end of 2022.

For the medical cannabis program, Connecticut awarded nine additional dispensary licenses in December 2018 bringing the total in the state to 18, but there is no indication that additional licenses will be available in the future. Only 10 processor licenses are permitted in the state. But like dispensary licenses, there is no indication when additional licenses will be issued.

Medical licenses must be renewed with the submission of a renewal application and fee every year.

Testing

Testing is required by a registered controlled substance lab, and the lab must meet special are requirements for cannabis testing.

Training

Connecticut does not require training for license holders.

Learn More about Cannabis in Connecticut and How to Work or Start a Business in the Connecticut Cannabis Industry

Leafy Green Agency offers a variety of certification seminars for people who want to start businesses, find jobs, get promotions, or invest in the cannabis industry in Connecticut and across the country. Follow the link to learn more about our educational seminars.

Sources and More Information

Data current as of 7/23/21.