Starting next month, Connecticut residents will be able to purchase double the amount of marijuana in a single retail transaction than what is currently allowed. The Department of Consumer Protection (DCP) in Connecticut recently announced that the purchase limit for adult-use cannabis will increase from a quarter ounce to half an ounce. The decision to raise the limit stems from an ongoing analysis of supply and demand within the state’s cannabis market. This change is aimed at ensuring that businesses can maintain an adequate supply to serve both adult-use consumers and medical marijuana patients.
The DCP Commissioner, Bryan T. Cafferelli, emphasized that the department has consistently monitored the supply and demand situation since the launch of the adult-use cannabis industry in January 2023. As more retailers, production companies, and other supply chain licensees have joined the market, the industry’s capacity has grown. The increase in purchase limits is viewed as a measured approach to adult-use cannabis sales, contributing to a thriving market for businesses while maintaining a safe and equitable marketplace for both adult-use cannabis consumers and medical marijuana patients.
It’s important to note that the half-ounce limit applies specifically to adult-use purchases of cannabis. On the other hand, the limit for cannabis possession, which includes both purchased and homegrown marijuana, is set at 1.5 ounces for adults. Up to five ounces of cannabis must be stored in a locked container at home or within a locked glovebox or trunk of a vehicle. Additionally, purchased cannabis must be kept in its original packaging, securely stored, and out of reach of children.
For products other than raw cannabis flower, purchase limits are determined by equivalence. With the increased half-ounce limit, adults will now be able to purchase a maximum of 14 prerolled joints weighing one gram each, four to eight vape cartridges, or approximately 170 servings of edibles, with each serving capped at no more than 5 milligrams of THC.
Connecticut legalized cannabis for adults through legislative action in 2021, and the state’s cannabis market has shown significant growth over the past two years. This year, the adult-use market has experienced multiple consecutive months of record-setting sales. In September, the most recent month for which sales figures are available, the state saw $14.4 million worth of adult-use cannabis sales, along with $10.8 million in medical cannabis sales.
The state is also taking steps to support social equity businesses in the cannabis industry. In August, Connecticut introduced a new fund to provide financial assistance to individuals who have been disproportionately affected by cannabis prohibition, helping them expand their legal cannabis operations.
In a further move, the state adopted tax breaks in July for legal cannabis businesses that were previously prohibited from making federal deductions under the IRS tax code 280E. These tax breaks are expected to provide $4.7 million in relief for the cannabis industry in the 2024 fiscal year, increasing to $6.2 million in the 2025 fiscal year, according to the governor’s office.
Connecticut’s decision to double adult-use cannabis purchase limits represents another step in the state’s evolving cannabis landscape, creating more opportunities for consumers and the industry alike.
