All posts in Connecticut News

The move to legalize or decriminalize marijuana is sweeping the country. Most states have approved marijuana for recreational or medical use. In states where it’s not legal, a cannabinoid derivative — delta 8 THC — is proving to be more than just a good alternative to weed. In fact, many people prefer the less intense “high” of delta 8 THC to marijuana. So, what is delta 8, where is it legal, and where can you buy it? This article tells you all you need to know. What’s the Legal Status of Marijuana? The federal government classifies marijuana as a Schedule…

I don’t understand the angst developing among the residents of some Connecticut towns over the prospect of someone opening a marijuana store in their midst. Honestly, what are they so worried about — pot smokers with the munchies dropping candy wrappers as they come and go? I think I’d prefer a store selling pot over one selling liquor in my neighborhood. But, really, as long as they are in appropriately zoned locations, who cares? It’s not like customers are likely to be lingering and smoking out in front of marijuana stores, any more than drinkers crack open their cans and…

ANSONIA — Second Ward Alderman Bill Phipps said he’s heard stories of well-dressed people with nice cars over the border in Massachusetts, willing to wait in line to buy recreational marijuana at dispensaries. Phipps wants that for Ansonia as well. “If we can get a piece of that action without harm, I’d say go for it,” Phipps said. Phipps was one of several speakers at a public hearing Monday before the Planning and Zoning Commission, which is considering whether to implement a temporary moratorium on the sale of recreational marijuana in Ansonia. But many residents at the meeting were against…

Amazon is calling on the U.S. government to legalize marijuana, saying it is urging Congress to pass federal legislation and catch up with the growing number of states that have decriminalized cannabis use. The commerce giant also said that screening job applicants for cannabis makes it hard for the company, the nation’s second-biggest private employer, to expand its workforce. “We strongly believe the time has come to reform the nation’s cannabis policy, and we are committed to helping lead the effort,” Beth Galetti, Amazon’s senior vice president of human resources, wrote Tuesday in a post on the company’s blog. “Today’s status quo…

By Eric O’Connell/Zip06.com • 09/21/2021 03:40 p.m. EST On Sept. 13 with overwhelming public support the Clinton Planning & Zoning Commission (PZC) voted against a proposed regulation amendment that would have allowed a retail marijuana store to open. Earlier this year, Connecticut legislators passed a bill that legalized recreational marijuana use by adults in the state. As a result, it was up to local zoning authorities to come up with regulations that either allowed or did not allow for a retail cannabis stores to open. The PZC Regulation Subcommittee had proposed a zoning regulation change that would have allowed for…

By By Ben Rayner • 09/21/2021 03:32 p.m. EST With the legalization of recreational cannabis, towns across Connecticut are scrambling to understand not just the economic impact, but the possible social ramifications of what the new law actually means for municipalities. According to town officials, for Madison the economic benefits of a potential retail storefront are less important than the potential quality of life issues that will be affected by the law, which allows one shop in town, if the town approves such a use. Selectman Bruce Wilson (R) said that he sees both sides of the issue and thinks…

Connecticut recently legalized recreational marijuana use by adults. The new law creates complex employment protections for recreational marijuana users. The same legislation also includes provisions that strongly encourage any cannabis-related employer seeking to operate in Connecticut to permit the unionization of its workforce.1  Connecticut is not alone in enacting legislation that mandates a labor-friendly stance for companies that want to receive licenses to operate cannabis-related businesses in the state. New York, New Jersey and California, among others, have included similar provisions in their cannabis-related laws that promote collective bargaining and the recognition of labor organizations.  Notwithstanding this trend, federal law…

Patients who are registered with the state’s medical cannabis access program can begin home cultivating cannabis for their own personal use next Friday, October 1. Under the new law, qualified patients ages 18 and older may grow up to six cannabis plants in their homes. Households with more than one qualified patient may home cultivate a maximum of 12 plants. Over 54,000 residents are currently registered with state regulators to possess and access medical cannabis. Previously, patients were prohibited from growing their own cannabis and were required to obtain marijuana from one of the state’s limited number of licensed dispensaries….