CT Recreational Marijuana Sales: State Officials Update Timeline

CONNECTICUT — Recreational marijuana sales are expected to start by early next year at the latest, according to the latest update from the state Department of Consumer Protection.

The industry needs at least 250,000 total square feet of growing and manufacturing space before retail sales can begin. Connecticut made it a large way toward that threshold after DCP approved three current medical producers to also produce recreational product.

All four existing medical marijuana producers would convert to hybrid licenses in order to meet the square footage threshold, or additional cultivators to start production. A fourth producer submitted a hybrid use application on Nov. 10, and it is being reviewed, according to DCP.

The Department’s priority is to have a safe, well-regulated marketplace for consumers,” said DCP Commissioner Michelle H. Seagull said in a statement “I am grateful to the Drug Control and Legal teams at DCP who have worked — and continue to work — tirelessly, since the passage of the law, toward a safe and successful market opening.”

It is increasingly looking like Connecticut will be the final state in the immediate area to start retail sales.

New Jersey began retail sales on April 21 after the state’s medical marijuana dispensaries converted to hybrid licenses. New York State is aiming to open recreational dispensaries by the end of the year, according to the New York Times. Rhode Island is set to begin sales Dec. 1, according to the governor’s office.

Massachusetts began recreational sales four years ago.

The three Connecticut medical producers that will be allowed to convert to hybrid market are:

• Advanced Grow Labs LLC
• Connecticut Pharmacutical Solutions LLC
• Curaleaf LLC

In addition, several medical marijuana dispensaries were granted approved for hybrid licenses. They include:

• Affinity in New Haven
• Bluepoint Wellness of Connecticut in Branford
• C3 Torrington (Still River Wellness) in Torrington
• FFD locations in Newington, Stamford and Williamantic
• Willow Brook Wellness in Meriden

To date DCP has issued provisional licenses to:

• 9 to cultivators located in disproportionately impacted areas.
• 17 to equity joint venture retailers.
• 10 for retails through the social equity and general lotteries.
• 2 to equity joint venture micro-cultivators.
• 4 to micro-cultivators selected through social equity and general lotteries.