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HOW TO OPEN A DISPENSARY IN CONNECTICUT
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With a 19-17 vote, the Senate passed SB. No. 1118 in June 2021 that would legalize recreational marijuana in Connecticut, creating a new path towards adult use cannabis for the state. This will allow entrepreneurs to open a dispensary or become a producer within the state as regulations are being created.
Connecticut currently has 9 registered medical marijuana dispensaries and 4 registered medical marijuana cultivators.
Recreational License Types in Connecticut
The Social Equity Council will start accepting applications for all license types less than 30 days after it decides on the proper documentation to accompany applicants.
On October 1, 2021, social equity applicants will be eligible to apply for the cannabis business accelerator program for each of the license types. The following year on July 1, 2022. The Social Equity Council will start accepting applications for licensees to partner with accelerator program licensees as long as they correspond to the same license type.
Licenses will be issued with a lottery system, social equity applicants will be first to receive eligibility for obtaining a license. They will hold a second lottery for the rest of the applicants and unsuccessful social equity applicants. The license types are as follows:
Dispensary Retailer License
For a retailer license, the fee to enter the lottery will be $500, the fee to receive a provisional license will be $5,000 and the fee to receive a final license will be $25,000.
Hybrid Dispensary Retailer License
For a hybrid retailer license, the fee to enter the lottery will be $500, the fee to receive a provisional license will be $5,000 and the fee to receive a final license will be $25,000.
Cultivator License
For a cultivator license, the fee to enter the lottery will be $1,000, the fee to receive a provisional license will be $25,000 and the fee to receive a final license will be $75,000.
Micro-Cultivator License
For a micro-cultivator license, the fee to enter the lottery will be $250, the fee to receive a provisional license will be $500 and the fee to receive a final license will be $1,000.
Product Manufacturer License
For a product manufacturer license, the fee to enter the lottery will be $750, the fee to receive a provisional license will be $5,000 and the fee to receive a final license will be $25,000.
Food and Beverage Manufacturer License
For a food and beverage manufacturer license, the fee to enter the lottery will be $250, the fee to receive a provisional license will be $1,000 and the fee to receive a final license will be $25,000.
Product Packager License
For a product packager license, the fee to enter the lottery will be $500, the fee to receive a provisional license will be $5,000 and the fee to receive a final license will be $25,000.
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Delivery License
For a delivery service license, the fee to enter the lottery will be $250, the fee to receive a provisional license will be $1,000 and the fee to receive a final license will be $5,000.
License Conversion Fee
The license conversion fee for a dispensary facility to become a hybrid retailer will be $250.
Connecticut Marijuana History
In April, 2021 Connecticut proposed SB 888, setting the framework to legalize adult use cannabis within the state. However the bill is in limbo due to disagreement within the senate body on how it should be taxed. If and when this bill is passed MJ Business Daily predicts that annual revenues can reach $725 Million by its fourth year.
February 6, 2020. The “Governor’s Bill”, a marijuana legalization bill, was introduced one day after Gov. Ted Lemont renewed his call for marijuana legalization during his State of the State address. The bill would allow the possession and purchase of a maximum of one and a half ounces of marijuana from a licensed retailer. The bill, if passed, would allow businesses to be licensed to cultivate, manufacture, test, and sell cannabis, aligning with the recreational market. The bill was not passed, but is expected to be revisited in 2021.
November 7, 2018. Chronic pain resulting from spinal disorders is classified as a qualifying condition by the Regulations Review Committee of the General Assembly. This condition now qualifies a patient for the medical marijuana program in addition to a doctor’s certification.
January 3, 2018. A request for applications is issued by the Department of Consumer Protection, aiming to award 3-10 dispensary licenses for the state, with a deadline of April 9, 2018.
On May 17, 2016. House Bill 5450 is signed by Gov. Malloy, which allowed minors to qualify for medical marijuana and added 6 new qualifying medical conditions.
June 1, 2012. Medical Marijuana is signed into law by Gov. Dannel Malloy, allowing for the possession and consumption of medical cannabis by registered patients. Legalization also allowed for a system to be set in place to provide access to licensed dispensaries.
Estimated market size
Marijuana Business Daily projects that an adult-use market in Connecticut could generate $250 million in sales by its first full year and $725 million in annual sales by its fourth year.
how to start a marijuana business connecticut
If you are just starting your marijuana business, the next best step is to start a Business Plan to help educate your team and be ready to apply for a marijuana business license. If you are ready to apply for a Marijuana Business License in Connecticut, please Contact us or call our offices to set an appointment to get started. You can also select another State Opportunity, or fill out our Contact Form to discuss potential strategies such as Investment or Partnership Opportunities.