What to know about cannabis dispensaries in Conn.

With the legalization of recreational cannabis last July, there is one thing on many Connecticut residents’ minds: when will the state see the opening of its first recreational dispensaries?

While medical dispensaries are sprinkled throughout the state, Connecticut residents will have to wait a little longer for recreational facilities to open in the state.

From dispensary offerings and cannabinoid breakdowns to the application process and the state’s Social Equity Council, here is what you need to know about dispensaries in Connecticut.

What is a dispensary?

A dispensary is a store that legally sells adult-use cannabis products. Typically, these products are agerestricted and proper ID is needed to purchase cannabis products from a dispensary. Think of a pharmacy meets a liquor store.

When are recreational dispensaries opening in Connecticut?

Though medical dispensaries have been operating in Connecticut since 2014, recreational dispensaries are not yet open. Cannabis establishment applications opened Feb. 3; however, some towns have implemented moratoriums on accepting and approving applications.

The state has not revealed an exact date or time span for the opening of recreational dispensaries in Connecticut. Previous reporting from Hearst Connecticut Media estimates that recreational dispensaries will open sometime in 2022.

Where can I get cannabis since recreational dispensaries aren’t open in Connecticut yet?

There are a number of recreational dispensaries over the Connecticut border, mainly in Massachusetts.

However, because cannabis is not legalized on a national level, it is illegal to bring it over the state line, according to the Cannabis Control Commission of Massachusetts. You also cannot mail cannabis from Massachusetts to Connecticut.

How is a medical dispensary different than a recreational dispensary?

Medical dispensaries are used by patients who require cannabis products for a medicinal use. The Department of Consumer Protection issues medical marijuana cards that are distributed based on a list of “qualifying conditions,” which includes cancer, multiple sclerosis and muscular dystrophy among other conditions. In order to get a medical marijuana card, you must first speak to your doctor to see if you qualify. A $100 fee is required to be paid to the DCP upon initially receiving your card as well as $100 annually to renew your card.

Benefits of going to a medical dispensary include access to products with high THC levels, no taxes, product protection from shortages and access to regulated cannabis before the opening of recreational dispensaries.

There are 17 registered medical dispensaries located in Connecticut.

What kind of products will be sold at recreational dispensaries?

While menus will differ between different dispensaries, it is safe to assume that most dispensaries will have THC and CBD products in a variety of forms including pre-rolls, edibles (like gummies) and vape cartridges. Individual flowers and concentrates will most likely be available as well. Similar to Massachusetts, dispensaries will most likely boast a number of cannabis-related accessories such as rolling paper, pipes and grinders.

What are the different types of applications available for cannabis establishments?

Connecticut offers 14 different types of applications under five umbrella categories — growing, manufacturing, sales, delivery and transportation and individual licenses and registrations. A breakdown of all 14 licenses can be viewed here.

What is the Social Equity Council? How is the state addressing “Disproportionately Impacted Areas”?

The Social Equity Council was developed by the state in order to ensure that products from the adult-use cannabis program are “grown equitably” and that funds from the program are brought back to the areas hit the hardest by the “war on drugs,” according to the state’s website.

The state identified a number of areas throughout Connecticut that qualify as “Disproportionately Impacted Areas” in 2021, which are areas that have a “historical conviction rate for drugrelated offenses greater than one-tenth, or an unemployment rate greater than ten percent.” The passed bill aims to encourage the participation of the cannabis industry in these areas.

The state has also started taking applications for Equity Joint Ventures, which are business entities that partner with a producer or dispensary, and are at least 50 percent owned by individuals who had an income of three times less that the state median household income over the last three tax years, were a resident in a “Disproportionately Impacted Area” for five of the last 10 years or were a resident in a “Disproportionately Impacted Area” for at least nine years before turning 18.

According to the state, Equity Joint Ventures must be approved by the Social Equity Council before being granted a provisional license.

What does the application process entail?

There will be two different lottery processes: a social equity lottery and a general lottery.

At least half of the applications will be awarded to the social equity lottery. The prerequisites for that lottery are the same as the Equity Joint Ventures.

After the social equity applications have been chosen, a second lottery will be conducted for the general lottery, which includes nonsocial equity applications, as well as social equity applications that were not chosen in the first round.