Is Cannabis Legal In Connecticut?

Connecticut does have a medical marijuana program in place. The state has also recently passed legislation to legalize and regulate the recreational use of marijuana, with sales set to begin in January 2023.

Cannabis for Medical Use in Connecticut

Connecticut passed legislation allowing for the use of medical marijuana in 2012. Under the state’s medical marijuana program, patients with certain qualifying medical conditions are allowed to use and possess marijuana for medicinal purposes. In order to be eligible for the program, patients must obtain a written recommendation from a licensed physician and register with the state.

As of 2021, there were over 44,000 registered medical marijuana patients in Connecticut, and the state had licensed nine dispensaries to sell marijuana to these patients. In addition to these dispensaries, the state also allows for the operation of licensed production facilities, which are responsible for growing and processing marijuana for sale to patients.

In recent years, Connecticut has taken steps to expand and improve its medical marijuana program. In 2021, the state passed legislation allowing for the establishment of additional dispensaries and production facilities, as well as the creation of new cannabis-based products, such as topicals and lozenges. These changes are aimed at increasing access to medical marijuana for patients in the state and improving the overall quality of the program.

Qualifying Conditions

  • Cancer (Effective 2012)
  • Glaucoma (Effective 2012)
  • Positive Status for Human Immunodeficiency Virus or Acquired Immune Deficiency Syndrome (Effective 2012)
  • Parkinson’s Disease (Effective 2012)
  • Multiple Sclerosis (Effective 2012)
  • Damage to the Nervous Tissue of the Spinal Cord with Objective Neurological Indication of Intractable Spasticity (Effective 2012)
  • Epilepsy (Effective 2012)
  • Cachexia (Effective 2012)
  • Wasting Syndrome (Effective 2012)
  • Crohn’s Disease (Effective 2012)
  • Post-Traumatic Stress Disorder (Effective 2012)
  • Sickle Cell Disease (Effective 2016)*
  • Post Laminectomy Syndrome with Chronic Radiculopathy (Effective 2016)*
  • Severe Psoriasis and Psoriatic Arthritis (Effective 2016)*
  • Amyotrophic Lateral Sclerosis (Effective 2016)*
  • Ulcerative Colitis (Effective 2016)*
  • Complex Regional Pain Syndrome, Type 1 and Type II (Effective 2016)*
  • Cerebral Palsy (Effective 2016)
  • Cystic Fibrosis (Effective 2016)
  • Irreversible Spinal Cord Injury with Objective Neurological Indication of Intractable Spasticity (Effective 2016)
  • Terminal Illness Requiring End-Of-Life Care (Effective 2016)
  • Uncontrolled Intractable Seizure Disorder (Effective 2016)
  • Spasticity or Neuropathic Pain Associated with Fibromyalgia (Effective 2018)*
  • Severe Rheumatoid Arthritis (Effective 2018)*
  • Post Herpetic Neuralgia (Effective 2018)*
  • Hydrocephalus with Intractable Headache (Effective 2018)*
  • Intractable Headache Syndromes (Effective 2018)*
  • Neuropathic Facial Pain (Effective 2018)*
  • Muscular Dystrophy (Effective 2018)*
  • Osteogenesis Imperfecta (Effective 2018)*
  • Chronic Neuropathic Pain Associated with Degenerative Spinal Disorders (Effective 2018)*
  • Interstitial Cystitis (Effective 2019)*
  • MALS Syndrome (Median Arcuate Ligament Syndrome) (Effective 2019)*
  • Vulvodynia and Vulvar Burning (Effective 2019)*
  • Intractable Neuropathic Pain that Is Unresponsive to Standard Medical Treatments (Effective 2019)*
  • Tourette Syndrome (Effective 2019)*
  • Chronic Pain of at least 6 months duration associated with a specified underlying chronic condition refractory to other treatment intervention (Effective 2020)*
  • Ehlers-Danlos Syndrome Associated with Chronic Pain (Effective 2020)*
  • Chronic Pancreatitis (Effective 2021)*
  • Movement disorders associated with Huntington Disease (Effective 2021)^

Recreational Use of Cannabis in Connecticut

Cannabis was approved for adult-use in June 2021. The state has also passed legislation to decriminalize small possession amounts.

Where Can I Get Cannabis in Colorado?

While possession of up to 1.5 ounces of cannabis is now legal in the state, the policies and procedures are still very new. Sales are expected to begin in January 2023.