CBD in Connecticut: Official Buyers Guide
Here we’ll be discussing everything to do with CBD in Connecticut. Read on if you want to know how much you can have, where to buy it, and how you can get a medical marijuana card in the state.
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CBD (cannabidiol) is a non-intoxicating derivative of hemp or marijuana. People all over the country have been raving about the relaxing effects of CBD in recent years, and Connecticut is no different.
Despite its popularity, there’s a lot of confusion surrounding CBD in Connecticut. With laws and regulations changing often, it’s hard to keep up with the most up to date information.
In this article, we’ll outline what to know about CBD and medical marijuana laws in the state. Whether you intend to use CBD for relaxation or need a medical marijuana card, we’ll give you all the tools you need to get started.
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Is CBD Legal in Connecticut? (Laws & Regulations)
To begin, there are two types of CBD that you can purchase in Connecticut. Hemp-based CBD is derived from hemp, a non-intoxicating form of cannabis with a THC level of less than .3%.
Marijuana-based CBD comes from a cannabis plant with a THC level of more than .3%.
All cannabis-based products, no matter if they had the potential for intoxication, were illegal under the Controlled Substances Act of 1970. In 2018, the federal government passed the Hemp farming act, legalizing hemp and hemp-based products like CBD oil at a national level.
However, states could still criminalize the possession of CBD oil, despite its legal status. It wasn’t until January 2019 that Connecticut legalized it through Senate Bill 893.
Now, you can buy CBD derived from hemp over the counter without a prescription.
That doesn’t mean all forms of CBD in Connecticut are completely legal. While hemp-based CBD is easily obtainable, marijuana-based CBD requires a medical marijuana prescription.
If you don’t have an MMJ card issued by a doctor, you won’t be able to buy this type of CBD.
Marijuana and cannabis-based CBD are decriminalized in Connecticut. While not entirely legal, you can’t face jail time for small possession charges even if you don’t have a prescription.
Connecticut CBD Possession Limits
Possession limits for CBD products depend on what type of CBD we’re talking about. Not all CBD is the same, and Connecticut has different laws regarding hemp or marijuana-based CBD possession.
In Connecticut, there are currently no possession limits for hemp-based CBD. Since the cultivation, production, and sale of hemp products is completely legal, nothing is holding you back from carrying as much hemp-CBD as you’d like.
Marijuana-based CBD, on the other hand, is more regulated. The state considers it to be the same as medical marijuana, even though it lacks any intoxicating effects.
The possession limit for medical marijuana in Connecticut is 2.5 ounces. Since CBD is classified the same, this means you can legally carry and possess up to 2.5 ounces of marijuana-CBD at any given time if you have an MMJ card.
It is worthwhile to note that Connecticut decriminalized marijuana in 2011. While the government doesn’t outline specific penalties related to marijuana-CBD oil and products, it’s a good rule of thumb to go by the marijuana laws.
The penalties aren’t too tough if police catch you with cannabis-CBD without a prescription. For possession of less than half an ounce, the courts may only serve you a $150 fine under Connecticut marijuana laws.
However, if this isn’t your first possession offense, the fine can increase to up to $500. For possession over half an ounce, the penalties become more serious. You could be facing up to a year in jail and a maximum $2000 fine as a misdemeanor offense.
It’s still fairly rare for someone to be sentenced to jail for possession charges in Connecticut nowadays. Having much more than an ounce increases this chance, though, so you should be aware of the potential penalties.
For CBD, it’s unlikely that you’ll have more than half an ounce in most circumstances. So if you’re caught in possession of medicinal marijuana-based CBD without a prescription, you’ll likely only be served a $150 fine.
How to Get a Medical Marijuana Card in Connecticut
Connecticut is one of 33 states in the last decade or so to allow the consumption of marijuana for medicinal purposes. Shortly after the decriminalization of marijuana in 2011, the state took steps towards establishing its medical marijuana program.
Getting a medical marijuana card (MMJ card) in Connecticut is fairly straightforward. If you are one of the thousands of people looking to get an MMJ card, you have to meet specific requirements outlined by state law.
At the risk of stating the obvious, the first step is to make an appointment with a physician. Doctors give authorization for all medical marijuana cards. Not all doctors give out approval for MMJ cards, however, so give them a call before you show up to make sure this is an option.
Alternatively, you also have the option of consulting with a medical marijuana doctor online. A doctor can confirm your diagnosis and approve your request to apply for an MMJ. You don’t need to go in for an appointment if you don’t want to.
Once a doctor has given you approval, they will register you with the Medical Marijuana Program Department of Consumer Protection (DOCP). Go online, and you’ll see a prompt for a valid e-mail address. Your doctor would have passed this on to the registrar.
Applying before you receive approval will result in the message, “You have not been identified as a patient. Please see your physician and verify your email address.” If you think you should already be registered, give your doctor a call to confirm that they submitted your approval.
If you’re in the system, you can start the MMJ application process. All of these questions are simple and non-invasive. Don’t worry about this too much. Just answer truthfully, and you should be fine.
Once you’ve filled out the application form, the next step is to present proof of your identity and Connecticut residency.
The documents you’ll need to provide include:
After you’ve proven you are who you say you are, the state asks for an application fee of $100. If you’re applying for the MMJ card as a caregiver, the fee is reduced to $25. This is payable by card, check, or money order.
Completing all of these steps usually results in approval within 30 days, probably less. Before you’re issued your card, the state will send you a verification email that you can use to purchase medicinal marijuana. You can buy up to 2.5 ounces per month from registered dispensaries.
You should know that Connecticut is not as relaxed as some other states regarding qualifying conditions for MMJ. The state reserves MMJ cards for those with a serious illness or physical condition, including cancer, multiple sclerosis, and epilepsy.
To find out more, you can see the full list of qualifying conditions on the DOCP.Recommended Partner
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Finding Marijuana Dispensaries in Connecticut
Medical marijuana dispensaries have been popping up all over Connecticut in recent years. Odds are that you can find a qualified medical marijuana vendor pretty close to home.
You can find medical marijuana dispensaries in the following towns and cities:
FAQ's
Here, we’ll outline some of the frequently asked questions our readers have about CBD and marijuana in Connecticut.
You have to be 18 years or older to buy CBD products in Connecticut. This includes both hemp-based and cannabis-based CBD.
You don’t need a license to sell hemp-based CBD (containing a THC level of .3% or less) in Connecticut. However, you do need a license to cultivate and manufacture hemp in the state.
Only licensed medical marijuana dispensaries are allowed to sell cannabis-based CBD (THC level over .3%) in Connecticut.
Selling your CBD products can be as easy as setting up an online store. Alternatively, you can sell your products to other vendors, who will then resell them to customers.
Unless you are an authorized medical marijuana grower, you can’t grow cannabis at home in Connecticut. Although possession of marijuana is decriminalized, you can face serious criminal charges if police find cannabis plants in your home.
The legalization of marijuana is up for debate in Connecticut and has been for a number of years. If it is legalized, you can expect to be able to grow a certain amount in your home. Right now, though, this isn’t legal by any means.
It’s still illegal to smoke or ingest marijuana of any form in public in Connecticut. You can, however, smoke or consume marijuana at home or in a private space if you have a medical marijuana card.
Even if you have an MMJ card, the following is prohibited as per the Connecticut General Assembly:
- Exposing someone under 18 to secondhand marijuana smoke or consuming marijuana within the direct line of sight of a minor.
- Consuming marijuana in a public space.
- Using cannabis in a motor bus, school bus, or other moving vehicles.
- Using or bringing cannabis onto school grounds, dormitory, college, or university property.
Unfortunately, it is impossible to obtain a marijuana grow license in Connecticut at this time. There are currently nine grow operations in the state, all of which are very closely monitored by authorities to keep within regulations.
Don’t despair, though. Experts expect the state to expand the number of grow operations in the coming years. It is an expensive application process, however, so you should start thinking long term now if this is what you want to do.
The initial application fee alone is a non-refundable $25,000, according to the CT medical marijuana program. The registration fee is $75,000, and the renewal fee is another $75,000.Next Steps
We hope this article has been helpful for those of you looking for more information about CBD in Connecticut. While hemp-based products are legal, cannabis-derived CBD products are still highly regulated and are only available in medicinal form.
If you’re looking to start a medicinal marijuana business or CBD/hemp manufacturing company, you should get started immediately. Laws are changing, and it pays to be ahead of the game.
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