Connecticut To Launch Adult-Use Cannabis Sales On Jan. 10, Long Lines Are Expected

The Connecticut Department of Consumer Protection announced Friday that adult-use cannabis sales can officially begin on Jan. 10, 2023. 

“I am proud of the hard work our team has done to meet the goal of opening adult-use sales in a safe, well-regulated market,” DCP Commissioner Michelle H. Seagull stated. “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.”

All existing medical marijuana manufacturers have met the requirements for an expanded license that enables them to legally supply both the adult-use cannabis and medical marijuana markets, the department stated.

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Under state law, a minimum of 250,000 sq. ft. of cultivation and production space in total can be approved for recreational-use production before retail sales can begin at licensed retailers. This threshold has been met with all four manufacturers successfully converted.

Sales will be limited to a one-quarter ounce of marijuana flower or its equivalent per transaction. These limits will be reviewed over time. Medical marijuana patients are allowed to buy up to 5 ounces per month. Examples of ¼ ounce of cannabis flower equivalents include — up to 7 pre-rolled cigarettes (1 gram each), and two to four vape cartridges (in .5mL and 1mL sizes). Furthermore, one edible serving is capped at a 5mg THC maximum.

"While only 9 stores will be open on January 10th and there is an initial purchase limit, just about 18 months from legalization until sales is an impressive feat," Michelle Bodian, counsel at leading cannabis law firm Vicente Sederberg LLP and a leading member of the firm’s cannabis licensing and regulatory compliance efforts in Connecticut told Benzinga. "1/4 ounce of cannabis flower or its equivalent per transaction will hopefully increase over time as more hybrid retailers and retailers open up. This is a long-awaited moment for many in Connecticut."

The department further advised medical marijuana patients to buy needed medication before Jan. 10 because long lines and traffic are expected at the hybrid retailers in the launching weeks of recreational cannabis sales.

Recent Updates On Expungements 

The news of the adult-sales launch comes on the heels of Connecticut governor Ned Lamont announcing Tuesday that around 44,000 state residents with cannabis possession convictions will have their records partially or fully erased in January 2023.

“On January 1, thousands of people in Connecticut will have low-level cannabis convictions automatically erased due to the cannabis legalization bill we enacted last year,” Lamont, a Democrat, stated. “Especially as Connecticut employers seek to fill hundreds of thousands of job openings, an old conviction for low-level cannabis possession should not hold someone back from pursuing their career, housing, professional, and educational aspirations.”

Those who have had their records erased can let their employers, landlords and schools that the conviction never happened.

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Photo: Benzinga Edit; Sources: underworld by Shutterstock and jimarojfm by Pixabay