{"id":1781,"date":"2021-10-15T21:13:34","date_gmt":"2021-10-15T21:13:34","guid":{"rendered":"http:\/\/CBMiZWh0dHBzOi8vd3d3LmN0aW5zaWRlci5jb20vbmV3cy9hcnRpY2xlL0hvdy1DVC1wbGFucy10by1wcm90ZWN0LW1lZGljYWwtbWFyaWp1YW5hLXByb2dyYW0tMTY1MzY1NDQucGhw0gEA"},"modified":"2021-10-15T21:13:34","modified_gmt":"2021-10-15T21:13:34","slug":"how-ct-plans-to-protect-medical-marijuana-program-as-recreational-use-begins-ct-insider","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/thcinct.com\/?p=1781","title":{"rendered":"How CT plans to protect medical marijuana program as recreational use begins – CT Insider"},"content":{"rendered":"
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As Connecticut prepares to license recreational cannabis dispensaries, the state is implementing measures to ensure there\u2019s sufficient supply for patients, including requiring existing facilities to preserve their medicinal marijuana services.<\/p>\n

Medical dispensaries that want to branch out to recreational,<\/strong> or \u201cadult-use,\u201d marijuana sales will have to submit a \u201cmedical preservation plan\u201d to the state Department of Consumer Protection, Commissioner Michelle Seagull told the Medical Marijuana Program Board of Physicians<\/a> during a Friday meeting.<\/p>\n

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Recreational users will also be subject to a tax that medical users aren\u2019t, Seagull said. Retail sales will be subject to Connecticut\u2019s 6.35 percent sales tax, a 3 percent sales tax for the locality in which the sale occurs and a THC-content-based tax. That tax will be about 10-15 percent of the sale price, according to the department.<\/p>\n

\u201cThere really is a focus on preserving the medical program,\u201d Seagull said.<\/p>\n

Gov. Ned Lamont signed Connecticut\u2019s adult-use marijuana bill into law<\/a> June 22. The bill allows the sale and use of cannabis for people over 21 years old. Dispensaries aren\u2019t slated to open until next year, and towns can ban sales.<\/a>\n<\/p>\n

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Medical use has been legal in Connecticut since 2012. Registered medical marijuana patients have \u201cplateaued\u201d at about 54,000 in Connecticut, Seagull said.<\/p>\n

\u201cI\u2019m not sure if it\u2019s a function of adult use getting approved or if it\u2019s just naturally plateaued,\u201d she said.<\/p>\n

The department will monitor the supply and demand of marijuana products and limit the amount people can purchase per transaction, Seagull said. Some products such as pills or inhalers will also only be available to people with a medical prescription.<\/p>\n

Those with medical prescriptions are also eligible to purchase for recreational use. They can buy 3 ounces total per month, up from 2.5 ounces, the department announced Friday.<\/p>\n

\u201cMaking medication accessible to qualifying patients is a top priority and increasing the allotment is an important recognition that there are some patients who may benefit from more than 2.5 ounces a month,\u201d Seagull said in the news release.<\/p>\n

\u201cWhile cannabis growers in our state prepare for the anticipated increase in demand in the adult-use cannabis market, it\u2019s vital that they are also able to continue to supply patients in the medical marijuana market,\u201d she added.<\/p>\n

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Board members echoed concerns that medical card holders wouldn\u2019t get the same level of attention for their needs with recreational use legalized.<\/p>\n

\u201cI worry about long lines around the block and patients not being able to get served,\u201d board member Dr. Andrew Salner said.<\/p>\n