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. There are even CBD cafes in Connecticut. Bryant Reed 1/5/2023. (860) 713-6019(office) The Botanist in Danbury will not open Jan. 10, a spokesperson said the week before the scheduled opening. the city's first medical marijuana dispensary, opened on Mill . . That fee can be cut in half if the MMJ operator partners with a social equity business. Within 90 days of the laws implementation, the state would create regulations for product preparation and labeling. Sale of recreational marijuana in CT depends on all four existing medical marijuana producers or additional cultivation to come online, Click to share on Facebook (Opens in new window), Click to share on Twitter (Opens in new window), Click to share on LinkedIn (Opens in new window), Click to email a link to a friend (Opens in new window). And some applicants and members of the public have questioned the fairness of the process, arguing that multi-state cannabis businesses had advantages over local startups. The company still plans to open in the coming months. A CTPharma staff checks on the marijuana flowers. Hartford's first adult-use cannabis dispensary opened for business this morning, bringing the state's number of stores selling recreational marijuana to 12. 4 min read. Can businesses keep up? He said the price of 1-gram cartridges of . Sign up for CT Mirror's free daily briefings. But regulators said this week that approved marijuana businesses are on track to launch retail sales within the next few months delayed from their original timeline, but in keeping with more recent estimates. We're going to be constantly evaluating, talking to the businesses and monitoring the situation. The measure includes a licensing process for recreational dispensaries, commercial growers, processors and transporters. (860) 713-6019 (office) All Rights Reserved. This was something I got in trouble for consuming throughout my high school experience, Cantrell said. Recreational marijuana sales will begin in Connecticut on Jan. 10, 2023 - but with limits. Doors will open at 10 a.m. on Jan. 10 and there will be music, a selfie wall, thank you gifts and more to celebrate adult use customers. Can businesses keep up? 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. 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. Kevin Pattah, a Michigan native who came to Oklahoma to get into the cannabis business, now operates six Mango Cannabis retail locations across the state. Thank you. A $100 fee is required to be paid to the DCP upon initially receiving your card as well as $100 annually to renew your card. Things are pretty tight right now, Cantrell said. Sign up for CT Mirror's free daily briefings. She grew up in Minneapolis, MN, graduated from Haverford College and earned a masters in journalism from the University of Southern California. 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. Where can you buy recreational cannabis in Connecticut? 2023 The Conneticut News Project. To obtain a growers license, Oklahoma law requires that at least 75 percent of the ownership of a commercial grower operation be owned by Oklahoma residents. Trulieve in Bristol opened Friday. Get all the facts on the new law. Communities might put the funds toward helping entrepreneurs in other sectors, for example, or supporting workforce development programs, she said. Use Next and Previous buttons to navigate. 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. Connecticut is the 20th state to allow dispensaries to sell the drug for recreational use. The reports lead author, Andrew Livingston, noted that the analysis revealed a significant but unreported market for recreational use. Explore online ordering and pick-up options. Affinity Dispensary is an adult-use and medical marijuana dispensary built to serve the greater New Haven, Connecticut community. While menus will differ between different dispensaries, it is safe to assume that most dispensaries will have THC and CBD products in a variety of forms including pre-rolls, ediblesand vape cartridges. 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. Seagull said 42 provisional licenses have been granted to various types of marijuana businesses, from cultivators to manufacturers, distributors, retailers and delivery services. Fine Fettle is one of the first companies in Connecticut on the path to selling cannabis recreationally. Catch up on the status of marijuana laws and sales in Connecticut. 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 . If it passes, Oklahoma will become the 22nd state to legalize recreational marijuana. It helps people mend with their problems, said Christopher Yarmolovich, Hartford. Before moving to Connecticut to join the staff she worked in Los Angeles for public radios Marketplace and, before that, for the Wall Street Journal's L.A. bureau. Come check out our mural! Located in Northern Torrington directly off Route 8, the dispensary provides access to the thousands of Litchfield County registered patients who currently need to travel to other counties for their medicine. New York joins 14 other US states and the District of Columbia in permitting cannabis after lawmakers in both state chambers, where Cuomo's Democratic Party holds strong majorities, backed the bill on March 30. She added that people shouldnt overlook other important components of the law, including the decriminalization of marijuana and reinvestment in the communities most impacted by discriminatory federal drug policy the long game, as she called it. 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. 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. Editors Note: This article is part of CT Mirrors Spanish-language news coverage developed in partnership with Identidad Latina Multimedia. All orders for recreational cannabis must be placed online prior to pickup, per the dispensary's website. Comer said Friday theres currently roughly $50 million in that fund, and thats expected to grow. Next month, the Connecticut Department of Consumer Protection will start accepting applications for certain adult-use cannabis businesses, kicking off the year sales are scheduled to begin in the state. Under the law, the fee to convert is $1 million for retailers and $3 million for producers, which could be prohibitive for many businesses. Here is where to find the dispensaries licensed for recreational sales in the Nutmeg State. We listen to our patients, empathize with our patients, and educate our patients. Nine dispensaries in Connecticut opened their doors Tuesday to make the first sales of recreational marijuana to adults aged 21 or older. For more information about Adult-Use Cannabis, visitct.gov/cannabis. CBD is the other main cannabinoid. State officials say their goal is for adult-use marijuana products to be available for sale by the end of this year or early next year, but theres no set date. Tilley said she believes the drug has always been popular in Oklahoma and that people are just being more open about it now. However, it should be noted that because cannabis has not been legalized on a national level, it is illegal to bring it over the state line, according to the Cannabis Control Commission of Massachusetts. The ballot measure also creates a pathway for courts to expunge or dismiss certain prior marijuana-related convictions. Seven of the nine medical marijuana dispensaries approved for a hybrid license were ready to start selling cannabis products to adults 21 . (860) 377-0246(cell), Media Contact: Retails sales of pot started Tuesday morning at seven dispensaries across the. It has several locations: in Newington, Willimantic, and one soon to open in Stamford.. The state anticipates stores will open in early 2023 and last month announced dozens of businesses including packagers, producers and retail stores are completing the first round of cannabis licensing. All Rights Reserved. The supply chain must be entirely licensed and there must be enough growing capacity to supply the retail market, Click to share on Facebook (Opens in new window), Click to share on Twitter (Opens in new window), Click to share on LinkedIn (Opens in new window), Click to email a link to a friend (Opens in new window). The closest update comes from a press release by CT.gov, which states that "Retail . Ned Lamont signed the states law legalizing recreational pot, officials on Friday gave a required 30-day public notice of the markets official opening date. Standing up the new industry, while meeting legislative intentions to make it accessible and equitable for interested entrepreneurs, took months of complex deliberation on the part of the social equity council. 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. Zen Leaf Dispensary Meriden, formerly Willow Brook Wellness, is a medical cannabis dispensary located in Meriden, Connecticut. . Two other approved dispensaries, in Danbury and Torrington, are expected to open at a later date. Hours: Starting Jan. 10, the hours will be Monday - Saturday: 9 a.m. - 8 p.m., Sunday: 10 a.m. - 6 p.m. About: A spokesperson for The Botanist Danbury said the location will not be opening Jan. 10 for recreational cannabis sales, but does plan to open in the coming months. I think the kids are more apt to get a hold of them and they do look like the actual candies, said Tammy Castonguay of Manchester. She already grows marijuana plants heavy with CBD. In 2018, Oklahoma voters approved SQ 788, which legalized the sale and use of medical marijuana in the state. To buy from this location on Jan. 10, all orders must be placed ahead of time for pickup at finefettle.com. But critics of SQ 820, including Republican Gov. Of those businesses, nine medical marijuana dispensaries have completed the steps necessary to receive licenses to sell recreational marijuana. CT film tax credit: Some want to cut it, some want more, Proudly powered by Newspack by Automattic, Bluepoint Wellness of Connecticut in Branford, C3 Torrington (Still River Wellness) in Torrington. The public will be notified as licenses are granted. Oklahomans will vote on State Question 820 on March 7. Tech is changing Connecticut manufacturing. Specialties: Welcome to Greatest Hits Recreational Cannabis Dispensary, located in Dudley, Massachusetts. FAQ: What to know about recreational cannabis dispensaries in Connecticut, Everything you need to know about cannabis in CT, Weed edibles: How theyll be regulated in CT, Brian A. It is for. According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, people who use marijuana at an earlier age or more frequently meaning daily or nearly daily are more likely to develop temporary psychosis and long-lasting mental disorders, such as schizophrenia. Hours: Monday - Friday: 10 a.m. - 7 p.m., Saturday: 10 a.m. - 6 p.m. and Sunday: Closed Hours listed are for recreational purchasing; medical use customers can shop at The Botanist an hour earlier than the opening times listed above. Oklahoma would impose a 15 percent excise tax on each recreational sale, more than double the 7 percent tax medical users currently pay. 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. 1996 - 2023 NewsHour Productions LLC. Tech is changing Connecticut manufacturing. Seven medical retailers have been approved for hybrid licenses and could be ready to sell products as soon as production reaches the 250,000-square-foot threshold. Existing medical-use cultivators and retailers had to pay steep fees to convert their operations. But it's likely that many more will open in 2023 and beyond. They argue that children will be at the most risk if any further expansion of marijuana is passed, citing mental health risks among their concerns. 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. There will be two different lottery processes: a social equity lottery and a general lottery. How do I transfer dispensaries in Connecticut? Newly elected Oklahoma Attorney General Getner Drummond told The Oklahoman that he would be personally voting no on SQ 820 due to the threat of organized crime. Packaged medical marijuana at Advanced Grow Labs in West Haven. The application period is open for 90 days, according to an announcement from the state Department of . Please reload the page and try again. In June 2021, Connecticut became the 18th state to legalize recreational marijuana. But were seeing them move in through straw buyers, so thats what were trying to attack now.. No. Social equity has been an afterthought, social equity in our situation in Connecticut was baked in from the very beginning, said Kennard Ray, CEO of Fine Fettle. Andrew is an award-winning journalist and holds a degree in digital journalism from Fairfield University. 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. The state plans to expand the number of stores . He felt like marijuana just appeared overnight. A combination of different product types that collectively amount to no more than of an ounce. Hours: Monday - Saturday: 9 a.m. - 7 p.m., Sunday: Closed, About: Fine Fettle Willimantic is one of three of the company's locations that will be selling recreationally as of Jan. 10. Two more marijuana dispensaries open up in Connecticut, Recreational marijuana program growing in CT, Two more recreational marijuana shops open in CT, Items stolen from CVS, Walmart, and Stop & Shop resold at Hartford convenience store. Maryland legalizes marijuana, Arkansas and North Dakota reject, Oklahoma conservatives views on medical marijuana evolving, How states have reshaped marijuana laws and whats next, could generate $821 million in tax revenue, opposed to legalizing recreational marijuana, develop temporary psychosis and long-lasting mental disorders. Subscribe to Heres the Deal, our politics Hours: Monday - Friday: 10 a.m. - 7 p.m., Saturday: 10 a.m. - 3 p.m. and Sunday: Closed. He is calling for state legislators to move up the planned opening of state licensed cannabis dispensaries throughout the state from the end of 2022 to six months earlier to prevent future overdoses. [RELATED: CT recreational pot sales will start within months, regulators say], On its website, the department explains: The supply chain must be entirely licensed before sales can begin, including stores, testing labs, and growers, and there must be enough growing capacity to supply the retail market.. Hours: Monday - Thursday: 10 a.m. - 6 p.m., Friday: 10 a.m. - 7 p.m., Saturday: 10 a.m. - 4 p.m. and Sunday: Closed *Hours listed are only serving medical marijuana customers at this moment. There is no current information on when the dispensary will open to those over 21. A handful of medical marijuana dispensaries are now allowed to sell pot products. On Location: February 24, 2023. The fee is $3 million for producers and $1 million for dispensaries. Whoops! Many more have submitted applications to convert their licenses, DCP said. The proposal would permit individuals aged 21 and older to buy marijuana products for recreational use from licensed vendors. Its pharmacist-centered team is on site or available by phone to answer any questions. Here you go. And then theyre ill-equipped to build or sustain that business., The states 15-member Social Equity Council, responsible for promoting diverse participation in the developing new industry, has been holding a series of workshops for people interested in obtaining licenses and starting a cannabis business. Find reviews and menus from the best recreational & medical marijuana dispensaries in Norwich, CT. Nearly 18 months since Gov. Medicinal marijuana is grown at the Stability Cannabis warehouse in Oklahoma City. Our brand new, flagship weed dispensary is now open in Dudley. Andrew DaRosa is a web producer and reporter with Hearst Connecticut Media Group. View Map. A recertification appointment is also needed with your doctor in order to qualify annually for you card. This is also the first store to start giving a portion of profits to disadvantaged communities. The "Adult Use Only Menu" will be available after 6 p.m. on Monday, Jan. 9. As of last July, adults in Connecticut may possess and use up to 1.5 ounces of marijuana legally, and they may store up to 5 ounces in a locked container at home. DCP has also been evaluating license applications from new entrants to the market. 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. The council plans to work with the beneficiary communities to evaluate the best ways for those funds to be reinvested, but theres no timeline yet on when that process will commence. 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. You can get a 50$ oz of some fine mids or a 100$ oz of good good tree, and the option is there. Get CT Mirror emails in your inbox daily. Connecticut legalized adult-use, recreational marijuana last summer, and businesses wanting to enter the new market are raring to go. From left are proponents Sen. Gary Winfield, D-New Haven; Rep. Steve Stafstrom, D-Bridgeport; House Majority Leader Jason Rojas, D-East Hartford; Lamont; Lt. Gov. 2023 The Conneticut News Project. Fewer than 50 licenses were available across nine categories, from growers to product manufacturers, transporters, retailers and delivery services, through the lottery process. 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. Recreational dispensaries opened across Connecticut in January of 2023. Since then, the Department of Consumer Protection has worked aggressively to move toward the opening of a regulated cannabis marketplace. Connecticut legalized adult-use cannabis last year, but it's still unclear when. There was an error and we couldn't process your subscription. 1 of 5. The first day of recreational sales took place . Residents over the age of 21 can legally possess and consume marijuana. Left: Some regulations on medical cannabis have expanded since the adult-use bill passed last year. In addition, CBD-based products can be purchased outside of dispensaries, and can found in a number of stores and online shops. Erica covers economic development for CT Mirror. There was a lot of work that went into being able to make todays announcement, Michelle Seagull, commissioner of the state Department of Consumer Protection, told reporters at a Friday morning press conference.