All posts in Connecticut News

Getting a long-awaited shot at breaking into the business of selling weed in Illinois came down to luck of the draw. Instead of handing out licenses to the top scorers, as it did in 2015 for medical cannabis dispensaries, the state used a lottery to choose who will be allowed to open 185 new retail pot shops. A lucky few won big: 10 applicants won 25% of the licenses, leaving hard feelings and litigation among hundreds who came up short and leading a top state lawmaker to call for an overhaul of a process that’s been dogged by delays and…

As cannabis companies vie for state licensure in Connecticut, one security official working for cannabis companies here said they’ll have to keep a sharp eye on internal theft, as they also protect against external threats. Additionally, legalization presents new opportunities for security firms that work in Connecticut, but smaller firms may find cannabis a difficult market to break into, said Matt Gifford, director of sales for legal cannabis at Bethel-based CustomVault and its BranchServ division — both of which were recently acquired by Rocky Hill-based Convergint Technologies. Gifford has worked in cannabis security in Connecticut since 2010, when he worked…

New London — Republican Mayor Peter Nystrom and Democratic City Council President Pro Tempore Mark Bettencourt differed on fiscal issues, retail marijuana sales and other matters during a mayoral campaign debate hosted by The Day on Wednesday. But the two candidates agreed on many other issues facing the city, such as the need to address flooding and the city manager’s citywide mask mandate. Both said they would vote in favor of the Nov. 2 referendum question to bond the city’s $145 million pension debt. Nystrom said he supports marijuana manufacturing facilities in Norwich but not retail sales. He called marijuana “a gateway…

A deal on a bill to legalize marijuana in Rhode Island is finally coming together, legislative leaders said this week. While there are still certain outstanding issues to resolve such as which agency should be tasked with regulating the market, lawmakers have made significant progress and have reached compromises on a number of topics, Sen. Josh Miller (D), sponsor of one legalization proposal, said during a panel hosted by Johnson & Wales University. Miller warned that he couldn’t be especially specific on details given that negotiations are ongoing, but he expressed optimism that legislators are nearing an agreement. One issue…

ASANTE GAINES, also known as “Santi,” 24, of Bridgeport, pleaded guilty yesterday before U.S. District Judge Janet Bond Arterton in New Haven to racketeering and attempted murder offenses stemming from his participation in a Bridgeport gang. Today’s announcement was made by Leonard C Boyle, Acting United States Attorney for the District of Connecticut; Joseph T. Corradino, State’s Attorney for the Fairfield Judicial District; Bridgeport Acting Police Chief Rebeca Garcia; James Ferguson, Special Agent in Charge, ATF Boston Field Division; David Sundberg, Special Agent in Charge of the New Haven Division of the Federal Bureau of Investigation; Brian D. Boyle, Special…

The president of Mexico’s Senate says lawmakers could advance legislation to regulate marijuana in the coming weeks—the latest in a long string of comments from leadership on plans to finally implement rules to legally regulate cannabis production and sales. Nearly three years ago, the Mexican Supreme Court declared that the country’s prohibition on the personal possession and cultivation of cannabis was unconstitutional. Lawmakers were then obligated to enact the policy change but have since been unable to reach a consensus on legislation to put in place regulations for a marijuana program. At the request of legislators, the court agreed to…

The marijuana industry is thriving for a variety of reasons. The legalization of cannabis in several places has increased the number of people eager to try it, resulting in increased revenue for dispensaries. Many people believe that medical marijuana should not be illegal because it is frequently prescribed by doctors for medical purposes rather than recreational use. Over the last decade, the cannabis business has exploded in popularity, partly due to legalizing efforts. There are numerous unanswered issues regarding how this will affect society, for better or worse, but there is no doubt that it will be significantly different than…

EAST LYME – Both candidates for First Selectman of East Lyme agree that the voters should decide in a referendum whether to allow marijuana dispensaries in town, but Democratic candidate Camille Alberti said she doesn’t believe the town needs to impose a moratorium in the meantime. Selectman Kevin Seery, who is running as the Republican candidate to replace outgoing First Selectman Mark Nickerson, said the “pause” on marijuana dispensaries that the Board of Selectmen is considering would give the town a chance to take a good look at how the town wants to handle the new businesses.  “We understand marijuana…