Connecticut Marijuana Laws
Connecticut State Information Page
- Medical and recreational use is legalized.
- Decriminalized statewide for personal use
- Possession of one and a half ounce is acceptable for adults.
- Cultivation of up to twelve plants per residence will be allowed beginning July 2023.
Medical Cannabis Savings
Taxes explained and the benefits of getting your medical card in Connecticut
Recreational Marijuana Taxes in Connecticut
Up to 24.35% (6.35% sales tax + 3% municipal taxes + up to 15% based on THC content)
Medical Marijuana Taxes in Connecticut
6.35% tax
Savings
Estimated Savings Having a Medical Marijuana Card
3% - 18%
Is Cannabis Legal In Connecticut?
Marijuana has been legal for recreational use in Connecticut since 2021 for adults, and medical marijuana has been legal since 2012 for medical cardholders and caregivers.
State Laws and Offenses
Here’s a list of penalties for Connecticut possession, sale, and distribution of marijuana, concentrate, or paraphernalia.
- Marijuana is a Schedule II substance in the state of Connecticut
- Federally, cannabis is still considered a Schedule I Controlled Substance.
- Adults may possess up to one and a half ounces of legal marijuana for personal use.
- Adults may grow up to twelve marijuana plants for non-commercial purposes starting in 202; as of now, penalties are still in place.
- Marijuana possession of more than 1.5 ounces of marijuana can be punished with a minimum mandatory sentence of up to one year and a fine not to exceed 2000 USD
- Possession of marijuana paraphernalia with the intent to use it to cultivate, distribute or inhale/ingest more than one-half ounce of marijuana is a misdemeanor and may result in a sentence imposed by up to 3 months imprisonment and a fine of up to 500 USD.
- Any item used for the cultivation or distribution of marijuana is subject to forfeiture in CT, including vehicles or aircraft that are used to transport marijuana to distribute it.
Connecticut allows patients with the following conditions to apply for a medical cannabis card:
- Amyotrophic lateral sclerosis
- Cachexia
- Cancer
- Cerebral Palsy
- Chronic neuropathic pain associated with degenerative spinal disorders
- Chronic pain of at least six months duration associated with a specified underlying chronic condition refractory to other treatment intervention
- Chronic pancreatitis (subject to approval by the legislature’s Regulations Review Committee)
- Complex regional pain syndrome
- Crohn’s disease
- Cystic Fibrosis
- Ehlers-Danlos Syndrome
- Epilepsy
- Glaucoma
- HIV or AIDS
- Hydrocephalus with intractable headache
- Huntington’s disease and related movement disorders
- Interstitial cystitis
- Intractable headache syndromes
- Intractable neuropathic pain that is unresponsive to standard medical treatments
- Intractable spasticity
- Irreversible Spinal Cord Injury with Objective Neurological Indication of Intractable Spasticity
- Medial arcuate ligament syndrome, or MALS syndrome
- Multiple Sclerosis
- Muscular dystrophy
- Neuropathic facial pain
- Osteogenesis imperfecta
- Parkinson’s Disease
- Postherpetic neuralgia
- Post-surgical back pain with a condition called chronic radiculopathy
- Post laminectomy syndrome
- Post-traumatic Stress Disorder (PTSD)
- Severe psoriasis and psoriatic arthritis
- Severe rheumatoid arthritis
- Sickle cell disease
- Spasticity
- 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
- Other medical conditions may be approved by the Department of Consumer Protection.
1.
Book An Appointment
You will schedule an online appointment with a Leafy DOC medical marijuana doctor at a time that is most convenient for you. Provide basic medical history and book your appointment with a licensed medical marijuana doctor.
2.
Evaluation
Consult with a doctor for 15 minutes to evaluate your ailments, and ask any questions you may have about medical marijuana treatment.
3.
Approval
Within 24 hours after the evaluation, the doctor will send your certificate via email for your recommendation for medical marijuana. After receiving that recommendation, you can then apply with the state of Connecticut to complete the registration process.
Does Connecticut accept out-of-state medical cards?
Connecticut does not accept out-of-state medical cards, but an adult medical patient can visit a legal dispensary to purchase with an ID.
When does my Connecticut medical card expire?
Your medical card expires two years from when the doctor completes this registration. This is generally within 24 hours after the evaluation appointment.
Connecticut marijuana DUI laws
Here are the penalties in Connecticut for driving under the influence:
- A first offense can result in jail time of up to six months, up to 1,000 USD fine, 48 consecutive hours mandatory minimum sentence or 100 hours of community service, 45 days suspended license, and one year driving with an IID.
- Subsequent offenses can result in up to two years imprisonment, up to 4,000 USD fine, 100 hours of community service, 45 days suspended license, and three years driving with an IID.
- A third and subsequent offense can result in up to three years imprisonment, up to an 8,000 USD fine, 100 hours of community service, and a license revoked, with potential for reinstatement after two years with permanent use of IID.
Connecticut marijuana growing laws
Senate Bill 1201 was signed into law in June 2021. Home cultivation is permitted under the new law, but adults are not legally permitted to grow until July 2023. At that time, an adult can grow up to six cannabis plants or twelve plants per residence.
Connecticut public consumption laws
Connecticut state law prohibits residents to consume marijuana in a public place, including medical patients. No marijuana may be used in the following places:
- In a motor bus, school bus, or another moving vehicle
- On Employer property
- Public or private school grounds, dormitory, college, or university property
- On cannabis establishments without proper licensure
Connecticut city specific laws
The laws listed here are for the state. Cities, counties, schools, universities, and employers may set their own rules and consequences. Be sure to check how marijuana laws differ in each county or town before you use.
Sixty-six percent of Connecticut voters approved recreational legalization in 2021. .
Yes, Marijuana inhalation devices are legal in the state of Connecticut; however, smoking is not allowed in public spaces.
No. Connecticut does not allow home cultivation of cannabis. However, beginning in July 2023, an adult can grow up to twelve cannabis plants indoors per residence.
Yes. Connecticut law requires all qualified patients to be registered with the state before using medical cannabis.
Requirements are as follows:
- Be 18 years of age or older
- You must be able to provide proof of your CT residency
- You must have a diagnosis that qualifies in Connecticut
- You must submit a signed Physician Certification with your MMP application – and that is where Leafy Doc can help. We can assist with booking your appointment and then provide the Physician Certification so that you can apply to get your medical card.
As of 2022, there are approximately 18 dispensaries statewide.
Cannabis Policy Reform Timeline
2011: Governor Malloy signed SB 1014 to decriminalize cannabis possession
2012: HB 5389 was passed to legalize medical marijuana and establish a medical program
2021: On June 17, recreational adult-use marijuana was legalized in Connecticut
2022: Retail sales of cannabis begin in May
2023: Cultivation of up to six plants or twelve plants per residence will be legal starting in July
Some of the Current Cannabis Bills in Connecticut
- CT HB05155 - An Act Concerning The Safe Storage Of Cannabis, Cannabis Products And Prescription Drugs
- CT HB05147 - An Act Concerning Physician Assistants And The Palliative Use Of Marijuana
- CT HB05329 - An Act Concerning Cannabis Transfers, Cannabis Advertisements And Recommendations By The Social Equity Council Concerning Cannabis
- CT HB05091 - An Act Authorizing The Deduction Of Certain Business Expenses By Cannabis Establishments
Learn more about Cannabis legalization in Connecticut:
Updated 6.14.2022