All posts in Connecticut News

Gov. Kathy Hochul vowed that getting New York’s budding marijuana sales program off the ground will be a high priority. Scandal-scarred ex-Gov. Andrew Cuomo and the state Legislature approved the law back in March that legalized the sale of weed in New York. But Cuomo — locked in a dispute with the state Senate — didn’t nominate an executive director for the new Office of Cannabis Management or name appointees to the Cannabis Control Board, even though the Marijuana Taxation and Regulation Act was passed months ago. The Senate must confirm the appointments. The appointments are necessary to set up…

It is no secret that casinos happily offer free alcoholic beverages to gamblers (just be sure to tip your server!) so that they continue to gamble and continue to gamble poorly. A drunk casino patron is one thing, but what about a high one? It appears that two Native American tribes are going to test things out, as they plan on opening cannabis stores very close to their major casinos. According to cannabis industry hub website Leafly, both the Mashantucket Pequot Tribal Nation, which owns and operates Foxwoods Resort Casino in Connecticut, and the Eastern Band of Cherokee Indians (EBCI),…

A California bill to legalize possession of a wide range of psychedelics such as psilocybin and ayahuasca will not advance further this year following a decision by the sponsor that more time is needed to build the case for the reform and solidify its chances of being enacted. The Senate-passed legislation advanced through a second reading on the Assembly floor last week before being re-referred to the Assembly Appropriations Committee, which was set to determine on Thursday whether it could be cleared for final passage. But it was ultimately decided that the proposal would be made into a two-year bill,…

Seyfarth Synopsis: In the first six months of 2021, several states legalized marijuana for recreational and medicinal purposes, including New York, New Jersey, Virginia, and New Mexico. States show no signs of slowing down. On June 22, 2021, Connecticut Governor Ned Lamont signed a bill that legalized recreational marijuana use by adults 21 years and older. Although provisions relating to possession are effective now (as of July 1, 2021), the employment-related provisions are not effective until July 1, 2022. Because the new law will prohibit many employers from taking certain actions in the absence of clear policies addressing marijuana use…

RIDGEFIELD, CT — The town’s Economic & Community Development Commission will be holding a Special Meeting to discuss and learn about the pros and cons of retail cannabis. Connecticut legalized the sale and possession of marijuana earlier this summer, but provided room for some local controls. If at least 10 percent of residents petition for it, the town must hold a public referendum, which will decide whether marijuana sales will be allowed there. The Special Meeting will be held via Zoom on August 30 at 6:30 p.m., with invited guests including policymakers and retailers from Connecticut, California, and Massachusetts. It…

Troubled by people smoking marijuana around children and families and the effects of second-hand smoke, Vernon’s town council has banned cannabis use in all public places. The prohibition was added to the town ordinance regulating alcohol on public property. The rule now says “no person shall burn, smoke or consume cannabis while upon or within the limits of any public highway, public area or parking area within the Town of Vernon.” Each violation is subject to a fine of up to $100. “The intent here is to do what people expect government to do – protect public health and safety,”…

Hartford, CT – 4/20/21 – CT CannaWarriors Cody Roberts smokes marijuana in front of the State Capitol Tuesday afternoon. He and other cannabis equity advocates gathered at the Legislative Office Building and then marched to the State Capitol in support of HB6377 cannabis legislation. Photo by Brad Horrigan | bhorrigan@courant.com (Brad Horrigan/The Hartford Courant)

Sen. Cathy Osten, D-Sprague, and a legislative ally of the Mashantucket Pequots and Mohegans, who run the Mohegan Sun, said she supports cannabis sales by the casinos. She also backs establishing a dispensary in Norwich, which is in her Senate district.