As momentum begins to gather for the legalization of cannabis, Connecticut becomes the latest state to legalize commercial cannabis.
Governor Ned Lemont signed on June 22nd a bill that allows for the commercial possession of cannabis for all citizens in the state beginning July 1st. At the signing of the bill, Governor Lamont said, “For decades, the war on cannabis caused injustices and created disparities while doing little to protect public health and safety, The law that I signed today begins to right some of those wrongs by creating a comprehensive framework for a regulated market that prioritizes public health, public safety, criminal justice, and equity. It will help eliminate the dangerous, unregulated market and support a new and equitable sector of our economy that will create jobs…“This measure is comprehensive, protects our children and the most vulnerable in our communities, and will be viewed as a national model for regulating adult-use cannabis. By signing this into law today, we are helping our state move beyond this terrible period of incarceration and injustice.”[1]
Among the provisos in the bill, Senate Bill 1201, they include:
- Possession: All adults 21 and over are permitted to have 1.5 ounces on their person. They are allowed up to 5 ounces in their home or glove box.
- Retail Sales: Connecticut hopes to have a retail market up and running by the end of 2022. The sale, manufacture, and cultivation of cannabis (aside from home grow) requires a license from the state. Products that contain delta-8-THC, delta-9-THC, or delta-10-THC are considered cannabis and may only be sold by licensed retailers.
- Medical cultivators: All licensed growers are permitted to have up to six plants, three mature and three immature plants beginning October 1st. Those with the plants beginning July 1st will be defelonized and only result in infractions. In addition, those who wish to grow their own must wait until July 1st, 2023.
- Convictions: Anyone who had certain cannabis conviction between January 1st 2000 and October 1st 2015 will have them erased. Anyone with convictions prior to the earlier date must submit an appeal.
Connecticut becomes the 4th New England state to pass such a bill. The fact there are states around them that have not passed it shows how it’s vital that any legal cannabis must be conducted in state. Until the federal government rules otherwise, consult each state and their rules regarding this issue.
[1] https://portal.ct.gov/Office-of-the-Governor/News/Press-Releases/2021/06-2021/Governor-Lamont-Signs-Bill-Legalizing-and-Safely-Regulating-Adult-Use-Cannabis
