It’s a big month for cannabis in Connecticut. Recreational sales are set to begin in the state tomorrow, and nearly 44,000 minor cannabis convictions were erased at the beginning of the month. Marc Pelka, Office of Policy and Management Undersecretary, says that the erasure of low-level possession convictions was enshrined in the new law.
Minor convictions between January 2001 and approximately September 2015 were erased automatically. Those with convictions falling outside of that window will need to apply to get their records clear.
“For folks who yes, they made mistakes, but they want a life that is contributing to a community, and we are all better off if that is possible,” says Luke Bronin, Mayor of Hartford, which alone accounted for 11 percent of the total overturned convictions.
Connecticut cannabis sales will open Tuesday morning, with an earliest start time of 10 a.m. Currently, the state has only permitted nine existing medical dispensaries to expand into the recreational market, seven of which will open shop right at 10 a.m.
The seven shops opening Tuesday include:
- Affinity, New Haven
- RISE, Branford
- Fine Fettle Dispensary, Newington
- Fine Fettle Dispensary, Stamford
- Fine Fettle Dispensary, Willimantic
- The Botanist, Montville
- Zen Leaf, Meriden
Connecticut cannabis users have been anticipating the launch of adult-use sales in their state since voting yes on the law back in July 2021. We’ll be keeping a close eye on the state’s progress as sales roll out.
