Here Are The Six CT Retail Cannabis Companies That Advance In License Process

CONNECTICUT — The state got a little closer to retail cannabis sales after six social equity recreational cannabis retailers moved to the next step in the licensing process.

The six companies were approved by the Social Equity Council for the first round of licenses. More licenses will be available in future lotteries. The companies need to submit additional information for background checks and provisional license applications, and is expected to take several weeks, according to the state Department of Consumer Protection.

Related: When Will CT Cannabis Retail Sales Start: 5 Things To Know

Remaining social equity applications not selected in the social equity lottery will be added to the general lottery.

Retail cannabis sales are expected to start around the end of the calendar year. Cannabis was approved for recreational adult use in July 2021.

Municipalities have a high level of discretion when it comes to retail cannabis establishments. They can outright ban them, issue moratoriums and enact specific zoning changes for where establishments can be located.

The six retail companies are:

Shangri-La CT Inc.

Principals: Jocelyn Cerda of Hartford and Kepal Patel of Columbia, MO.

Botanic Jac, LLC

Principal: Jon Hendel of Waterford.

Chillax LLC

Principal: Niralee Modi of Somerset, NJ

Jananii LLC

Principal: Jasmine Patel of Columbia, MD

Slap Ash LLC

Principals: Ashley Vaughn of Tampa, Fla. and Amanda Ostrowitz of Chicago, Il.

Divine 1 LLC

Principal: Dharini Patel of Bensalem, PA.

Additionally, two micro-cultivators and two equity joint ventures will advance to the next round of licensure.

Micro-cultivator

• Jananii llc
• RAD Holding Corp

Equity Joint Ventures

• THERAPLANT LLC
• Budr Hartford Holding LLC