Opening day for recreational cannabis sales in Connecticut appeared to go smoothly Tuesday, with lines both short and long at the seven dispensaries spread across the state.. A spokesperson for . As of this week, three of those four existing medical marijuana producers Advanced Grow Labs, Connecticut Pharmaceutical Solutions and Curaleaf have fulfilled the requirements to obtain hybrid licenses, enabling them to serve both the medical and recreational markets. Is CT recycling going into the trash? Insa's license, when and if it gets full approval, will allow it to open large-scale operations of more than 15,000 square feet of grow space, differing from micro-cultivator licenses that go to. Whoops! In June 2021, Connecticut became the 18th state to legalize recreational marijuana. It has several locations: in Newington, Willimantic, and one soon to open in Stamford.. The group says existing medical patients will have priority access through a dedicated medical entrance. In an announcement Tuesday, the Department of Consumer Protection said the supply chain was close to reaching the 250,000 square feet of licensed growing and manufacturing space required by law in order for sales of recreational marijuana to commence. Under the law, the fee to convert is $1 million for retailers and $3 million for producers, which could be prohibitive for many businesses. Ivelisse Correa of East Hartford protests outside Hartford's Curaleaf location Friday in hopes of raising awareness about barriers for people of color looking to open dispensaries. Technical Discussion: Our *ALERT* Continues Into This Morning For Slick Roads With A Wintry Mix, Rain & Possibly More Snow! Connecticuts law caps THC percentages in flower at 30 percent a limit routinely exceeded by medical-grade cannabis. In addition, CBD-based products can be purchased outside of dispensaries, and can found in a number of stores and online shops. 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. Michelle Tilley, the director for the Yes on SQ 820 campaign, said another component of the proposal is that it will require resentencing, reversing, modifying and expunging certain prior marijuana-related convictions. Medical marijuana patients can now purchase up to 3.5 ounces a month from any dispensary; they no longer have to select a designated facility. Please reload the page and try again. ", A post shared by Still River Wellness (@stillriverwellness), What they say: "Still River Wellness is the first and only Medical Cannabis Dispensary Facility to open in Litchfield County since the States Program was launched in 2013. Ned Lamont signed a bill just after noon on Tuesday making recreational marijuana legal for adults in Connecticut starting July 1. The first day of recreational sales took place . He's originally from the Bronx, but spent the last decade in Florida writing about everything from politics to Disney and tracing the steps of cultural icons like Jack Kerouac. The rate was discounted for operators who formed 50/50 equity joint venture partnerships with a person or business who met certain low-income requirements and was based in a community that had been historically harmed by marijuanas prohibition. . We simply must protect our children, Keating said, adding that the measure includes a clause that prohibits the courts from considering marijuana use in child custody and visitation cases. In Massachusetts, a case study, Legislators approve mold regulation changes for medical marijuana, Marijuana gifting bill passes CT House, with some changes, operators who form 50/50 equity joint venture partnerships. Were knowledgeable and compassionate professionals who focus on the individuality of each patients need. Oklahoma will be hurt by increased access to marijuana, said Oklahoma City Police Chief Wade Gourley, a member of the coalition. Sales will continue to expand in the coming months. Some argue the conversion fees for medical producers and retailers restrict access to large companies that have millions of dollars to spare. According to the Zen Leaf website, the dispensary will have "cannabis flower, in an array of strains, pre-rolls, in single and 5-pack options," as well as inhalants. At least half of the applications will be awarded to the social equity lottery. Nearly 10 percent of Oklahomans already hold medical marijuana cards. Hours: Monday - Wednesday: 9 a.m. - 6 p.m., Thursday - Saturday 9 a.m. - 7 p.m., Sunday: Closed, About: Fine Fettle Stamford is one of three of the company's locations that will be selling recreationally as of Jan. 10. View Map. Existing medical-use cultivators and retailers had to pay steep fees to convert their operations. About: Zen Leaf Dispensary was formerly the Meriden medical marijuana dispensary Willow Brook Wellness. OLD SAYBROOK , Conn. (WFSB) - Marijuana sales in Connecticut are starting in less than a week. Adult-use sales will begin in January, following a 30-day notice required by law. Thats no small feat in a highly regulated industry, especially for start-up entrepreneurs. That rate is discounted for operators who form 50/50 equity joint venture partnerships with a person or business that meets certain income or residency criteria. He said the price of 1-gram cartridges of . CT proposal causes confusion, concern, Had an income of three times less that the state median household income over the last three tax years, Were a resident in a "Disproportionately Impacted Area" for five of the last 10 years. The state, however, doesn't expect legal businesses to start until the end of the year, given the process for granting licenses. There are also Social Equity Partners, which are business entities that must be at least 65 percent owned by individuals who fall under the same social equity prerequisitesas the Equity Joint Ventures. It could be because it is not supported, or that JavaScript is intentionally disabled. Comer said Friday theres currently roughly $50 million in that fund, and thats expected to grow. Thats wonderful I think, yes very good its helping out everybody really, said Nicholas Karo of Vernon. 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. What we dont want to do is have people set up to fail by saying, OK, you want a license? Fine Fettle in Manchester is the first adult-use only store, which means it didnt start out selling medical cannabis. The Department of Consumer Protection will notify a third-party lottery operator of the social equity applicants and after that, the first lottery commences. (WFSB) - Connecticut's recreational marijuana program is growing. Medical dispensaries are used by patients who require cannabisproducts for a medicinal use. She grew up in Minneapolis, MN, graduated from Haverford College and earned a masters in journalism from the University of Southern California. On Jan. 10, 2023, retail sales of adult-use recreational marijuana will begin in Connecticut, with as many as seven locations opening on that date. Our patients health and wellness is our number one priority., A post shared by Bluepoint Wellness (@bluepointwellnessct). In November, a man was arrested for killing four Chinese nationals at an illegal Oklahoma marijuana farm after demanding employees give him $300,000 as a return for his investment in the illegal operation, prosecutors said. Social Equity Partners also are not subject to the lottery and have the ability to join an Equity Joint Venture in order "to provide them grow space, mentorship and overhead costs, in exchange for a reduction in the cost of the expansion process.". Theory is the first dispensary in the Berkshires to open its doors for recreational marijuana sales and the opening makes Theory the 6th dispensary of its kind in the state. When he's not searching for stories to tell, Daniel can be found in a book, on a motorcycle, playing drums or dreaming of galaxies far, far away. the city's first medical marijuana dispensary, opened on Mill . 2023 The Conneticut News Project. Gov. Alex Premoli makes the first sale to a customer on the opening day of recreational marijuana sales at Theory Wellness in Great Barrington, Mass., Friday, January 11, 2019. Connecticut offers 14 different types of applications under five umbrella categories growing, manufacturing, sales, delivery and transportation and individual licenses and registrations. Whoops! Seven of the nine will be open on Jan. 10. A cannibis plant that is close to harvest grows in a grow room at the Greenleaf Medical Cannabis facility in Richmond, Va., Thursday, June 17, 2021. Its Fine Fettles fourth retail cannabis store. *Beginning January 10, 2023, the dispensaries in CT listed below are approved to sell cannabis in Stamford, Danbury, New Haven, and other areas of the state and not just for grandma's. Though medical dispensaries have been operating in Connecticut since 2014, recreational dispensaries are not yet open. * Zen Leaf Dispensary 1371 E Main St, Meriden, CT 06450 See on map Where can you buy recreational cannabis in Connecticut? Hours: Monday - Friday: 10 a.m. - 7 p.m., Saturday: 10 a.m. - 3 p.m. and Sunday: Closed. Published: Mar. Only a handful of dispensaries will launch initially, and there are limits on how . A recertification appointment is also needed with your doctor in order to qualify annually for you card. Becky Goetsch, owner of Killingworth's Running Brook Hemp, is applying to become a micro-cultivator of recreational marijuana. Those fees went into a fund to be reinvested in communities most impacted by historically discriminatory federal drug policy. The vision is striving to be a leader in the dispensing of medical cannabis by focusing on patient experience, education and outcomes. Stitt, who was elected to a second term in November, also spoke about the flux of foreign nationals buying up Oklahoma farm land to operate marijuana growing operations. A breakdown of all 14 licenses can be viewed here. Dispensaries are required to list the THC percentage on all products containing THC. Many think Connecticut is doing the right thing, but there is some concern regarding children. The Botanist encourages online ordering as it will speed up the purchasing process ahead of what the website said will be thousands of people coming to buy recreationally. Some point out that the lotteries favor those who entered multiple times and paid multiple fees $500 for general applicants and $250 for social equity enterprises to gain an advantage. There was an error and we couldn't process your subscription. The proposal would permit individuals aged 21 and older to buy marijuana products for recreational use from licensed vendors. Existing medical-use cultivators and retailers could be the first to offer recreational products in the market, but only a handful have applied so far to convert their operations to a hybrid model producing or selling both medical and recreational pot. But Curaleaf says all of their customers will have access to a diverse selection of services. The report used data from Oklahoma and other states with legalized recreational marijuana to forecast the potential revenue for the state. Recreational dispensaries are preparing for a green rush on the first day of adult-use cannabis sales . We are here to help guide our guests as they discover cannabis and the potential power of herbal wellness through cannabis expertise and education. Erica covers economic development for CT Mirror. Adults over 21 can now purchase cannabis in Connecticut regardless of whether or not they have a medical. Whats also unique is its the first store to open under the states social equity program. Adam Kemp. Nearly 18 months since Gov. Adults age 21 and over can legally purchase up to a fourth of an ounce, or seven total grams, of marijuana (per transaction) for recreational consumption beginning on January 10, 2023.Medical patients can each grow up to three mature and three immature plants at home, with a maximum . Its Windy Too Woman arrested for prostitution near school in Watertown, Bomb threat called into North Haven Cinemark deemed hoax, suspect arrested, Norwalk math coach arrested after putting 5th grade student in chokehold, Overturned tractor trailer shuts down Route 9 in Middletown. Two weeks from Tuesday, nine dispensaries across the state will open. Long lines are expected as the highly anticipated opening of the nine dispensaries to the general public begins on Jan. 10. This is a carousel. Customers can see available inventory on the website, choose a preferred time frame for pickup and head to the dispensary once they receive a "ready" text message. But it's likely that many more will open in 2023 and beyond. MONTVILLE, Conn. -- Connecticut's first round of recreational cannabis sales for adults 21 and older . 2016 CT.gov | Connecticut's Official State Website, regular The state saw a "green rush" as more than 7,000 grow operations and nearly 2,600 dispensaries for medicinal marijuana were opened more dispensaries than Colorado and California combined. The state Department of Consumer Protection said on Friday, Dec. 9, that licensed hybrid . Our goal is to offer quality medicines and innovative services while maintaining the highest level of patient satisfaction. I anticipate that certainly by the end of the first half of the year, we should be seeing some of those businesses ready to go, Comer said. We are dedicated to serving the local community and providing our customers with a better quality of life through access to cannabis. Private landowners and businesses would be allowed to prohibit or regulate the use of marijuana on their property or during the course of employment. But proponents for SQ 820 say this talk is just reefer madness. There are even CBD cafes in Connecticut. 0.00 mi. The governor of Connecticut said on Tuesday that the state is about six months away from launching adult-use marijuana sales, and a state panel also took action on Tuesday to start approving the first cannabis cultivator licenses by designating more than a dozen applicants as having met social equity requirements. (Thousands of applications have been submitted across the eight lotteries.). 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