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Kebra Smith-Bolden *NEW HAVEN, Conn. — Focusing on social equity, a black woman whose business certifies residents for Connecticut’s medical marijuana card is taking advantage of measures in a new state law that target the issue most important to her. Kebra Smith-Bolden, a former nurse and founder of CannaHealth, aims to provide security for people in her community who consume or medicate with cannabis. A groundbreaking part of the new law, which went into effect July 1, is social equity. It requires half of all licenses for entry into the state’s marijuana business be reserved for social-equity applicants, those from…

With the recent legalization of cannabis in Connecticut, state and local police are learning how to adapt to the new law and procedures surrounding the once illegal substance. The Police Officer Standards and Training Council, or POST, which oversees training of officers in the state, issued a bulletin to all departments that summarized what’s new now that Gov. Ned Lamont has signed into law the bill that legalizes marijuana. One significant change is that police officers are no longer permitted to pull over a vehicle based solely on the odor of cannabis. Though it’s still illegal for people to be…

Although recreational marijuana became legal for adults effective July 1, police departments still are grappling with the new law and how to police the drug. Under the law, people age 21 and up can legally have up to 1.5 ounces on their person. They also can possess up to 5 ounces in their car, but it must be kept in a locked glove box or trunk. While simple possession is no longer illegal, police still have concerns about marijuana. Sgt. Derek Leab of the East Windsor Police Department said he believes the state will see an increase in drivers operating…

As human resources counsel at the Connecticut Business & Industry Association, attorney Diane Mokriski has heard plenty of questions and concerns about Connecticut’s new recreational cannabis law, but she thinks it doesn’t impact employers much. “There’s so many built-in protections for employers,” she said. “Any limitation on employer conduct is very minor, in my opinion. That’s the main idea that I’m trying to tell business owners, is kind of, if you’re concerned, you really need not be.” She said that’s because common-sense rules remain in place: “You can’t be drunk at work and you can’t be high at work and…