Connecticut Marijuana Laws

Related

• How to Get a Medical Card in Connecticut
• The List of Qualifying Conditions for a Medical Card in CT
• About the CT Medical Marijuana Program
• Benefits of a Medical Marijuana Card in Connecticut

• Connecticut scrapped the $100 registration fee for patients and caregivers on July 1, 2023. So, applicants no longer pay a CT medical marijuana card fee to the state as part of the application process.

• Your medical marijuana certification and purchasing rights are valid for 1 year. After that, you will need to complete a recertification appointment with a licensed provider.

What Rules Must Marijuana Patients Follow in Connecticut?

Connecticut law draws clear distinctions among the following violations:

• Possession & Purchase: Registered patients may possess and purchase up to 5 ounces of medical marijuana (or equivalent) monthly. The DCP can increase this limit with approval from the patient’s physician, PA, or APRN.

• Home Cultivation: Patients 18+ may grow up to 3 mature and 3 immature plants at their primary residence (12-plant household limit). Plants must be indoors, hidden from street view, and inaccessible to anyone under 21.

• Purchasing Rules: Patients and caregivers may purchase only from licensed dispensaries, hybrid retailers, or licensed delivery services. Gifting and unlicensed sales remain strictly illegal.

• Drug Classification: Connecticut classifies cannabis, marijuana, THC, hash, and hashish as Schedule II (not Schedule I) drugs. Legal possession and use must still follow the state’s Medical Marijuana Program rules.

• Paraphernalia: Cannabis accessories (like bongs, pipes, and rolling papers) are legal. Connecticut’s drug-paraphernalia offenses only apply to accessories for non-cannabis-controlled substances.

Possession

Connecticut cannabis possession limits and penalties depend on a person’s age, the amount of cannabis possessed, and whether the cannabis is for medical or adult use. The following rules apply to possession limits and penalties under Connecticut law.

• A fine of $100 applies if an adult age 21 or older is found possessing more than the legal possession limit but less than five ounces of cannabis as a first offense.
• For subsequent offenses involving the same amount, the penalty increases to a $250 fine.
• Possession of five ounces or more of cannabis by an adult age 21 or older results in a $500 fine for a first offense. Subsequent offenses may result in a Class C misdemeanor.
• For individuals between 18 and 20 years old, possession penalties vary based on the amount possessed and prior offenses. Possession of less than five ounces may result in a $50 fine for a first offense and a $150 fine for subsequent offenses. Possession of five ounces or more may result in a $500 fine for a first offense or a Class D misdemeanor for subsequent offenses.
• Possession penalties for individuals under 18 are handled through Connecticut’s juvenile justice process and may include warnings, youth service referrals, or delinquency proceedings depending on the offense.

Cultivation/Intent to Sell

Connecticut allows registered medical marijuana patients and eligible adults to grow cannabis at home within specific limits. Growing cannabis outside these limits or engaging in unlicensed cannabis sales or distribution is illegal and may result in penalties under Connecticut law.

Registered medical marijuana patients age 18 or older and adults age 21 or older may grow up to three mature and three immature cannabis plants at their primary residence. A household may have no more than 12 cannabis plants total.

Plants must be grown indoors, secured from access by unauthorized individuals, and not visible from public view.

Individuals age 18 or older who illegally manufacture, distribute, sell, offer, give, or possess cannabis with intent to sell or distribute may face the following penalties:

• First offense: Class B misdemeanor, which may carry up to 6 months in jail and a fine of up to $1,000.
• Subsequent offense: Class A misdemeanor, which may carry up to 1 year in jail and a fine of up to $2,000.

If the illegal activity involves less than eight ounces of cannabis plant material or an equivalent amount of cannabis products:

• First offense: Fine of up to $500.
• Subsequent offense: Class C misdemeanor, which may carry up to 3 months in jail and a fine of up to $500.

Individuals under 18 who violate cannabis distribution or illegal cultivation laws are handled through Connecticut’s juvenile justice system.

Paraphernalia

Connecticut law does not prohibit the possession of items commonly used for lawful cannabis use. However, using, possessing, selling, or distributing drug paraphernalia for illegal drug-related activity may result in penalties.

The penalties include:

• Possessing drug paraphernalia with intent to use it for illegal drug activity may result in a Class C misdemeanor.
• Selling, distributing, manufacturing, or possessing paraphernalia with intent to distribute it, while knowing it will be used for illegal drug activity, may result in a Class A misdemeanor, punishable by up to 1 year in jail and a fine of up to $2,000.
• Penalties depend on the circumstances of the violation and whether the paraphernalia is connected to unlawful activity.

Questions about the Connecticut Marijuana Laws

While the penalties for each medical marijuana law are highly important to take note of, we know that state regulations do not always cover the niche cases.

Below you can find a list of potential FAQs that you might have regarding the current state of medical marijuana in Connecticut: