Connecticut has officially begun its first day of legal adult-use cannabis sales for people over 21.
Several retailers across the state began selling the new legal market’s first cannabis products at 10:00 a.m.
Retailers include The Botanist (Montville), Zen Leaf (Meriden), Still River Wellness (Torrington), Fine Fettle Dispensary (Newington, Stamford, Willimantic), RISE (Branford), and Affinity Health and Wellness (New Haven).
The Connecticut Governor’s Office says opening adult-use sales in Connecticut marks the start of an expanded industry that prioritizes safety.
The state’s medical cannabis system, which currently serves nearly 50,000 patients, will remain intact and operate alongside the adult-use system.
Connecticut legalized adult-use sales in 2021 when Governor Ned Lamont signed Senate Bill 1201.
The state expects the new adult-use market to create hundreds of new industry jobs as it opens and expands.
“Today marks a turning point in the injustices caused by the war on drugs, most notably now that there is a legal alternative to the dangerous, unregulated, underground market for cannabis sales,” says Governor Lamont. “Together with our partners in the legislature and our team of professionals at the Department of Consumer Protection, we’ve carefully crafted a securely regulated market that prioritizes public health, public safety, social justice, and equity.”
Senate Bill 1201’s passage not only legalized adult-use cannabis in Connecticut but also created the Social Equity Council.
The Council’s responsibility is to ensure the adult-use market grows equitably and uses funds to help communities impacted by cannabis criminalization.
Along with legalizing adult-use cannabis, Senate Bill 1201 imposed three taxes on legal sales in Connecticut.
Taxes include the state’s 6.35 percent sales tax, a 3 percent local sales tax, and a 10-15 percent THC-content-based tax.
“This is an exciting day for Connecticut and our team at the Department of Consumer Protection,” says Consumer Protection Commissioner Michelle Seagull. “Which has worked tirelessly to stand up this safe, well-regulated, and equitable new market.”