01/06/2023
Medical Marijuana Program Patient Advisory: Purchase Medical Marijuana Products in Advance of Adult-Use Market Opening to Avoid Lines, Traffic
Adult-Use Cannabis Sales Begin Tuesday, January 10, 2023, at 10 a.m.
January 6, 2023 — The Department of Consumer Protection is encouraging registered medical marijuana patients to purchase their medicine prior to Tuesday to avoid long lines and traffic that may develop around hybrid retailers once the adult-use market opens as early as 10 a.m. on January 10, 2023.
“While we hope there will be no disruption or inconvenience to patients, it is always best to be prepared,” said DCP Commissioner Michelle H. Seagull. “Patients who can make purchases ahead of time, or have their medicine delivered, are advised to do so. Although many of the hybrid retailers will provide separate checkout counters or cash registers for Medical Marijuana Program patients, they may still experience increased traffic, as well as crowds in and around the hybrid retailers in the opening days of the market.”
The Medical Marijuana Program continues to serve nearly 50,000 patients with qualifying conditions. To purchase medical marijuana products from a medical marijuana dispensary or hybrid retailer, patients must be certified as having a qualifying condition by a practitioner and then obtain the appropriate registrations with the Department of Consumer Protection.
The allotment of medical marijuana for registered patients is 5.0 ounces per month. Products purchased through the Medical Marijuana Program are not subject to sales or other taxes because medication is nontaxable. Financial assistance for low-income individuals and veterans in the Medical Marijuana Program may also be available at licensed establishments.
Patients in the Medical Marijuana Program will retain access to products with higher THC potency, and products administered in medicinal forms such as pills or tablets that will not be available to adult-use consumers. In addition, even after the adult use market opens, there will be several medical-only dispensary facilities available to serve patients.
The $100 registration fee for Medical Marijuana Patients will no longer be charged as of July 1, 2023.
Cannabis was approved for adult-use in June 2021. Adult-use sales will begin Jan. 10, 2023 at licensed retailers. For information about Adult-Use Cannabis, visit ct.gov/cannabis.
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Media Contact:
Kaitlyn Krasselt
kaitlyn.krasselt@ct.gov
(860) 713-6019 (office)
(860) 377-0246 (cell)