Cannabis is legal in Connecticut for both recreational and medical purposes. Any cannabis product containing more than 0.3% THC — including delta-8, delta-10, CBD, and other hemp-derived cannabinoids — is regulated under the Responsible and Equitable Regulation of Adult-Use Cannabis Act. This means that businesses selling products with more than 0.3% THC must be licensed by the state.

Marijuana Laws in Connecticut

Cannabis laws vary from state to state. It’s essential to be well-informed about the unique set of rules and regulations around cannabis to ensure compliance as a medical patient or participant in the adult-use market.

Medical Cannabis Laws

Connecticut is a fully legal state, meaning any adult over 21 can purchase cannabis. However, medical cannabis patients enjoy many benefits from getting their card, including paying reduced product taxes and some employee protections.

Connecticut created its legal medical cannabis program in 2012 with the signing of HB 5389, which protected medical patients from arrest and permitted them to possess a one-month supply of cannabis accordant to state law. State-licensed medical dispensaries did not become operational until 2014.

Since its passage, Connecticut’s medical marijuana program has expanded the list of qualifying conditions, the monthly allowance of product to 5 ounces, and the number of operational dispensaries throughout the state. Medical patients only pay the 6.35% sales tax and are exempt from municipal and THC taxes.

Recreational Marijuana Laws

Recreational or adult-use cannabis was passed in June 2021 with the signing of Senate Bill 1201 by Governor Ned Lamont. Recreational sales officially kicked off in Connecticut in 2022 at licensed retailers. State law allows adults to possess 1.5 ounces of cannabis on their person and no more than 5 ounces of cannabis in a locked container in their residence or the glovebox or trunk of their vehicle. Adults aged 21 and over may also grow three mature and three immature plants, with a maximum of 12 plants per household.

Violating laws that regulate the possession, consumption, cultivation, and distribution of cannabis can carry penalties, including fines and imprisonment. Depending on the violation, jail time for infractions can range from three months to 25 years. Fines also vary depending on the circumstances, ranging from as little as $500 to $100,000.

Participants in the adult-use market pay significantly higher taxes on cannabis products. Recreational consumers pay a 6.35% sales tax, a 3% municipal sales tax, and a tax on THC content varying from 0.625% to 2.75%, depending on the cannabis product. The combination of these taxes amounts to recreational consumers paying approximately 20% of taxes on cannabis products, similar to the Massachusetts model.

What to Know About About Medical Cannabis in Connecticut

Connecticut’s medical program has expanded in many areas since its creation in 2012, making it more accessible to medical patients. From qualifying conditions to reciprocity laws, it’s a good idea to know the rules and restrictions in a specific state to ensure compliance while participating in the program as a patient or caregiver.

Qualifying Conditions for Medical Cannabis in Connecticut

To qualify for a medical cannabis card in Connecticut, a patient must receive a recommendation from a Connecticut-licensed physician, physician’s assistant, or advanced practice registered nurse for a “debilitating medical condition.”

According to the most recent update to the MMJ legislation in Connecticut, debilitating medical conditions for adults include:

• Amyotrophic Lateral Sclerosis (ALS), aka Lou Gehrig’s Disease
• Cachexia
• Cancer
• Cerebral Palsy
• Chronic Neuropathic Pain Associated with Degenerative Spinal Disorders
• Chronic Pain of at least 6 months duration associated with a specified underlying chronic condition refractory to other treatment intervention
• Chronic Pancreatitis
• Complex Regional Pain Syndrome, Type 1 and Type II
• Crohn’s Disease
• Cystic Fibrosis
• Damage to the Nervous Tissue of the Spinal Cord with Objective Neurological Indication of Intractable Spasticity
• Ehlers-Danlos Syndrome Associated with Chronic Pain
• Epilepsy
• Glaucoma
• HIV/AIDS
• Hydrocephalus with Intractable Headache
• Interstitial Cystitis
• Intractable Headache Syndromes
• Intractable Neuropathic Pain that is Unresponsive to Standard Medical Treatments
• Irreversible Spinal Cord Injury with Objective Neurological Indication of Intractable Spasticity
• MALS Syndrome (Median Arcuate Ligament Syndrome)
• Movement disorders associated with Huntington’s Disease
• Multiple Sclerosis (MS)
• Muscular Dystrophy
• Neuropathic Facial Pain
• Osteogenesis Imperfecta
• Parkinson’s Disease
• Post-Herpetic Neuralgia
• Post-Laminectomy Syndrome with Chronic Radiculopathy
• Post-Traumatic Stress Disorder (PTSD)
• Severe Psoriasis and Psoriatic Arthritis
• Severe Rheumatoid Arthritis
• Sickle Cell Disease
• Spasticity or Neuropathic Pain Associated with Fibromyalgia
• Terminal Illness Requiring End-Of-Life Care
• Tourette Syndrome
• Ulcerative Colitis
• Uncontrolled Intractable Seizure Disorder
• Vulvodynia and Vulvar Burning
• Wasting Syndrome

For medical cannabis patients who are minors, the qualifying “debilitating medical conditions” is less expansive. These are the recognized medical conditions for minors in Connecticut:

• Cerebral Palsy
• Chronic Pancreatitis for patients whose pain is recalcitrant to standard medical management
• Cystic Fibrosis
• Intractable Neuropathic Pain that is Unresponsive to Standard Medical Treatments
• Irreversible Spinal Cord Injury with Objective Neurological Indication of Intractable Spasticity
• Muscular Dystrophy
• Osteogenesis Imperfecta
• Severe Epilepsy
• Terminal Illness Requiring End-Of-Life Care
• Tourette Syndrome for patients who have failed standard medical treatment
• Uncontrolled Intractable Seizure Disorder

Telemedicine Is Allowed

Connecticut allows healthcare providers to conduct medical marijuana evaluations and issue recommendations through telemedicine, allowing Connecticut residents to obtain their medical marijuana cards online with Leafwell.

Connecticut Does Not Have Reciprocity Laws

It’s required to have a Connecticut medical marijuana card to participate in the medical cannabis program. Out-of-state medical cannabis cards do not provide any protection from arrest or prosecution. However, recreational cannabis is available for adults 21 and older.

If traveling out of state with a Connecticut MMJ card, this is the list of states and territories that do have reciprocity laws:

• Arizona
• Arkansas *
• Delaware
• Hawaii *
• Louisiana
• Maine
• Michigan (at the dispensary’s discretion)
• Nevada
• New Hampshire
• New Jersey *
• New Mexico
• Oklahoma *
• Puerto Rico
• Rhode Island
• U.S. Virgin Islands *
• Utah * (up to two 21-day periods in a calendar year)
• Washington, D.C.

*Visitors must complete a visiting patient application with the state program.

States that have recreational cannabis for adults 21 and older but do not accept out-of-state cards include:

• Alaska
• California
• Colorado
• Illinois
• Maryland
• Massachusetts
• Minnesota (currently only tribal dispensaries)
• Missouri
• Montana
• New York
• Oregon
• Vermont
• Washington

Can You Grow Cannabis In Connecticut?

Cultivation is legal in Connecticut for medical patients as of October 1, 2021. Medical cannabis patients in Connecticut are allowed to grow up to six plants with a maximum of three mature plants at a time.

A 12-plant cap per household allows two adults to grow six plants each. Starting July 1, 2023, recreational consumers over 21 can grow the same amount of plants.

According to the legislation, plants must be at the grower’s primary residence and away from individuals younger than 21. Additionally, plants must be cultivated in an indoor, locked environment.

The Bottom Line

Connecticut is a fully legal state with recreational and medical cannabis programs available to residents. All cannabis products containing more than 0.3 % THC are regulated under the adult-use program and must be sold from a state-licensed retailer, including products containing hemp-derived cannabinoids such as CBD or delta-8.

There also remain restrictions on public use, marijuana use in the workplace, and while driving. It’s important to remain up to date on your state’s regulations as they are constantly subject to change.