Connecticut

By comparison, Connecticut’s medical marijuana program is more inclusive and covers a broader range of conditions than most other states. The state only allowed pharmacists to apply for medical cannabis dispensary licenses. The state is not currently accepting applications. In 2014 the state issued 6 dispensary and 4 cultivation licenses.

At a Glance

Legislation & Important Dates

Legalization & Important Dates

• January 2016: Connecticut awards licenses to three new medical marijuana dispensary facilities.
• September 2015: Second license application period closes for medical marijuana dispensaries in Connecticut.
• September 2014: Medical marijuana available for sale to patients.
• August 20, 2014, the state’s first medical marijuana dispensary, opened.
• April 2014: Dispensaries licenses awarded.
• February 2014: Producer licenses awarded.
• November 2013: Application close.
• September 2013: Initial license application for medical marijuana dispensaries and producers in Connecticut.
• May 31,2012 – House Bill 5389 passes
• September 23, 2012, instructions on how to register for the program, were posted on the Connecticut Medical Marijuana Program website.
• House Bill 5389 on May 31, 2012, legally requiring a qualified patient to register with the Department of Consumer Protection, thereby protecting the patient from arrest or prosecution, or being penalized in any manner, or denied any right or privilege, should they engage in the palliative use of medical cannabis.

Types of Licenses

Associated Fees

Dispensary
• Initial Application Fee: $1,000 (Non-Refundable)
• Registration Fee: $5,000 (Non-Refundable)
• Renewal Fee: $5,000 (Non-Refundable)
Producer
• Initial Application Fee: $25,000 (Non-Refundable)
• Registration Fee: $75,000 (Non-Refundable)
• Renewal Fee: $75,000 (Non-Refundable)
• Surety bond in the amount of two million dollars ($2,000,000.00)

Producer Backer: A person who has a financial interest in a Producer.
o $100 application fee
o $100 annual registration renewal fee

Production Facility Employee: A person who is employed by a producer or has access to the production facility (such as an independent contractor).
o $100 application fee
o $100 annual registration renewal fee

Dispensary Facility Backer: A person who has a financial interest in a Dispensary Facility.
o $100 application fee
o $100 annual registration renewal fee

Dispensary Facility Employee: A person who is employed by a dispensary facility or has access to a dispensary facility (such as an independent contractor).
o $50 application fee
o $50 annual registration renewal fee

Dispensary Technician: A person who dispenses marijuana to at a Dispensary Facility to Patients.
o $50 application fee
o $50 annual registration renewal fee

Dispensary: A person who is qualified to acquire, possess, distribute, and dispense marijuana at a Dispensary Facility to Patients (must have an active pharmacist license in good standing).
o $100 application fee
o $100 annual registration renewal fee

Physician: A person who prescribes medical marijuana to Patients.
o No application fee
o No annual registration renewal fee

Patient: A person who purchases medical marijuana from Dispensary Facilities.
o $100 registration fee
o No annual registration renewal fee

Primary Caregiver: A person who purchases medical marijuana for a patient from a Dispensary Facility.
o $25 registration fee
o No annual registration renewal fee

Marijuana is subject to Connecticut sales tax. The state has implemented a tax stamp system as proof of payment at the following rates:
•$3.50 per gram (or portion thereof) of marijuana,
•$200.00 per gram (or portion thereof) of a controlled substance that is sold by weight,
•$2,000.00 per each 50 dosage units (or portion thereof) of a controlled substance that is not sold by weight.

Qualifying Conditions

• Amyotrophic lateral sclerosis
• Cachexia
• Cancer
• Cerebral Palsy
• Complex regional pain syndrome
• Crohn’s disease
• Cystic Fibrosis
• Epilepsy
• Glaucoma
• HIV or AIDS
• Intractable spasticity
• Irreversible Spinal Cord Injury with Objective Neurological Indication of Intractable Spasticity
• Multiple Sclerosis
• Parkinson’s Disease
• Post-surgical back pain with a condition called chronic radiculopathy
• Post laminectomy syndrome
• Posttraumatic Stress Disorder (PTSD)
• Severe psoriasis and psoriatic arthritis
• Sickle cell disease
• Terminal Illness Requiring End-Of-Life Care
• Ulcerative colitis
• Uncontrolled Intractable Seizure Disorder
• Other medical conditions may be approved by the Department of Consumer Protection

How to Become A Medical Marijuana Patient

Application fee of $100

Unless otherwise indicated by the evaluating physician, the maximum amount a patient is allowed per month, is 2.5 ounces

1. Patients must be 18 years of age, and be a Connecticut resident.
2. Patients are required to obtain legitimate medical records or documentation from their primary care physician describing the diagnosis of their qualifying condition.
3. Obtain legitimate medical records or documentation from your primary care physician describing their diagnosis.
4. Patients are required to get a signed Physician’s Statement from a physician, currently licensed to practice medicine in Connecticut.
5. To qualify, a patient needs to be diagnosed by a physician as having one of the following debilitating medical conditions that is specifically identified in the law:
a. For patients under the age of 18 years, the following conditions will effectively qualify:
i. Cerebral Palsy; Cystic Fibrosis; Irreversible Spinal Cord Injury with Objective Neurological Indication of Intractable Spasticity; Severe Epilepsy; Terminal Illness Requiring End-of-Life Care; Uncontrolled Intractable Seizure Disorder.
6. The registration certificate application is available online, and requires 3 steps:
1. The physician must initiate the registration process by logging into a secure, online system and certifying the patient;
2. After the physician electronically submits a valid certification, the patient may access the online system to complete the patient portion, of the application;
3. If the physician certifies the need for a primary caregiver, the caregiver may log in after the patient, and complete the relevant application;
7. An inmate confined in a correctional institution or facility under the supervision of the Department of Correction will NOT qualify, regardless of their medical condition.
8. Submit the application with the application fee of $100

Card Holder Benefits

Caregivers

A primary caregiver applicant will only be able to access the online registration system if:
• The patient’s physician indicates a need for a primary caregiver; and
• The patient identifies the applicant as the person who will serve as their primary caregiver.

To register with the Department, a primary caregiver must:
• Have their patient identify them as their primary caregiver on their registration application.