Connecticut cannabis history
Reviewed
The governor said possession by adults 21 and older would be legal beginning July 1, 2021. He announced that licensed adult-use sales began at 10:00 a.m. on January 10, 2023.
This is a short history, not legal advice. The rules that apply today are on the Connecticut cannabis laws page. A date is included only when the linked page states it.
At a glance
October 1, 2012Public Act 12-55 protects a registered qualifying patient from arrest for the palliative use of marijuana.
July 1, 2021The governor’s signing release sets the possession date at July 1, 2021.
January 10, 2023The same office said licensed retailers could begin selling effective at 10:00 a.m. that day.
The civil fine and medical use
- Public Act 11-71, approved June 30, 2011, effective July 1, 2011, set a fine for possession of less than one-half ounce.
- The Office of Legislative Research says the legislature enacted the medical program through Public Act 12-55.
Adult use
- The governor signed Senate Bill 1201 that afternoon.
- The announcement says the first legal retail sales of adult-use cannabis to adults 21 and older began that morning.
- The signing release says all adults 21 and older may grow a similar number of plants indoors beginning July 1, 2023. Medical patients could grow beginning October 1, 2021, under that same release.
Sources
- beginning October 1, 2021
- effective at 10:00 a.m. that day
- palliative use of marijuana
- June 30, 2011, effective July 1, 2011
- through Public Act 12-55
Citations were checked against the linked pages on October 24, 2026. Claims without a statute, election result, regulator page, court opinion, or news report were left out.