Marijuana Cash Turned Into Rec Scholarships In West Hartford

WEST HARTFORD, CT — Now that recreational pot is legal and, for many municipalities, a source of added tax revenue, West Hartford is turning the recent legal status of cannabis into funding for recreational programs.

The West Hartford Town Council, earlier this month, unanimously approved using $58,000 in municipal cannabis tax revenue to support scholarships for youth recreation and educational programs.

The council voted 8-0 on June 9 to transfer the funds from the town's cannabis sales tax fund to the Leisure Services Scholarship Fund.

The scholarship fund helps income-eligible families offset the cost of programs offered through the town's Leisure Services Department, including summer camps, swim lessons, special-interest camps, and other year-round activities.

According to the resolution, the scholarship fund had a balance of $2,392.69 as of April 28.

The department reported a need for approximately $12,000 to cover requests during the current fiscal year and an additional $46,000 for anticipated requests in fiscal year 2026-27.

Town officials said the scholarship fund has historically relied on donations and that the transfer would ensure assistance remains available for eligible families.

The funding comes from a 3 percent municipal tax on cannabis sales authorized under Connecticut's 2021 cannabis legalization law.

Municipalities may use the revenue for a variety of purposes, including youth programs, education, mental health and addiction services, community engagement initiatives, and neighborhood improvements.

In approving the transfer, the council determined that supporting youth programming through the scholarship fund is an eligible use of cannabis tax revenue under state law.

The town receives cannabis tax revenue quarterly, according to the resolution, and officials said future revenues will continue to support eligible community programs.

For the minutes of the June 9 West Hartford Town Council meeting, click on this link.

For the exact text of the approved ordinance, click on this link.