Recreational marijuana became legal in Connecticut on July 1, 2021, which makes the use and possession of small amounts of recreational marijuana legal for adults. There are still many facets of the law that will need to be studied and state and local municipalities will have to determine how to define, regulate and implement the law in their communities in the next few years.
What the law currently allows:
Possession of 1.5 oz of cannabis is now legal. Any consumer of cannabis, ages 21 years and older can grow up to three mature plants and three immature plants indoors, up to a maximum of 12 plants in their own households, provided that those plants are indoors, secure and can’t be accessed by another person other than the consumer.
Adult-use cannabis (recreational) implemented starting January 10, 2023:
The new bill prohibits smoking of marijuana in state parks, on beaches, on the water, in workplaces, hotels and within 25 feet of an entrance. Property owners, landlords, and rental companies may ban the use and possession of marijuana on their premises. Communities with a population of 50,000 or more, will have to set up one public place for individuals to be able smoke, but municipalities can ban retail sales through zoning and regulate public use, just like they can do currently with the smoking of tobacco.
Link here to the State of Connecticut’s Cannabis webpage for more information on the law: https://portal.ct.gov/cannabis/What-is-in-effect-now?language=en_US
Link here to Governor Lamont’s Press Release with additional information and a link to the Senate Bill 1201: 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
For information on Connecticut’s Medical Marijuana Program, visit the 2-1-1 eLibrary paper: Medical Marijuana Program – United Way of Connecticut – 211 and eLibrary (211ct.org)
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SOURCES: Connecticut’s Official State Website: Office of Governor Ned Lamont
PREPARED BY: 211/tb
CONTENT LAST REVIEWED: July2023