Medical Marijuana Connecticut Frequently Asked Questions

Weed legalization in Connecticut was finalized in June 2021, when the governor officially signed a bill legalizing recreational use of marijuana. However, recreational marijuanas in CT is not yet available for sale. We can expect recreational dispensaries to start opening sometime towards the end of 2022.

Medical marijuanas in CT has been legal since 2012. While the program took some time to set up, there are now 18 medical dispensaries located throughout the state. Prior to that, the state had decriminalized the possession of small amounts of marijuana in 2011. There are still some legal consequences for possessing marijuana without a medical card, as the recreational program has not been fully set up yet. If you are caught with small amounts of marijuana, you could be subject to a fine. However, this will not go on your permanent record.

In order to get a medical card in Connecticut, you must have one of the state’s qualifying conditions. These are conditions that have been scientifically proven to benefit from marijuana treatment. The list of debilitating conditions that qualify for a medical card is very long.

Some of the conditions on the list include cancer, PTSD, Crohn’s disease, Parkinson’s disease, and many others.

CT marijuana law is relatively flexible when it comes to medical marijuana qualifications. If you have a serious medical condition that you believe could benefit from marijuana treatment, it may be worth talking to a doctor to see if you qualify. This is particularly true for patients who suffer from debilitating pain that affects their ability to have a normal routine.

Unfortunately, medical marijuana is not covered by health insurance right now. This is because marijuana remains illegal on a federal level. This means you will need to budget for the full medical marijuana cost as well as the cost of any medical marijuana doctor’s visits. Elevate Holistics offers telehealth consultations with medical marijuana doctors starting at $75, so you know how much you’re going to spend ahead of time.

Patients who are over 18 and have one of the qualifying conditions for a medical card in CT can apply. Patients under the age of 18 who have qualifying conditions can get a medical card as well, but they will need to apply with a caregiver. Medical card holders also need to be Connecticut residents – right now, the state does not allow visitors to apply for medical marijuana cards.

When you apply for your medical marijuana card, you will need to pay an initial application fee of $100. Keep in mind that you will need to pay this fee every time you renew your medical card, as they only last for a year. You will also need to pay for an appointment with a licensed medical marijuana doctor who will certify that you have a qualifying medical condition. The cost of these appointments will vary depending on the provider you go to. Elevate Holistics offers online consultations with medical marijuana doctors starting at $75. Some providers will charge $200 or more for appointments.

If you have a medical marijuana card in another state, but visit Connecticut often, you may be wondering if the state has a medical marijuana reciprocity program. Right now, Connecticut does not allow cardholders from other states to purchase medical marijuana. However, there are some other states that will accept medical marijuana cards from Connecticut.

Ever since recreational Connecticut marijuana legalization, it’s important to note that you won’t face legal consequences for possessing cannabis products while visiting Connecticut, although you might face a fine. Once recreational dispensaries open in Connecticut, visitors will be able to purchase products regardless of whether they have a medical marijuana card.

Since October 2021, Connecticut medical marijuana patients have had the option to visit any dispensary to buy the products they need. Prior to that time, patients had to choose one dispensary and return to that dispensary anytime they wanted to purchase marijuana products. This makes medical marijuana products more accessible for patients, as they can purchase the items they need anywhere it is convenient.

Right now, you cannot buy weed online legally in Connecticut. You will need to go to a dispensary in order to get the products you need. However, there are other states where marijuana is legal for recreational use where you can order marijuana online and have it delivered to you. Because there is a precedent for this in other states, we could see this happen in Connecticut at some point once recreational dispensaries are up and running.

Right now, however, you should not buy weed online in Connecticut. It remains illegal and could come with fines or even more serious consequences if you purchase it from an unlicensed retailer.

Many people don’t enjoy smoking, and weed edibles give patients a good alternative. Luckily, medical marijuana patients can purchase edibles in CT. Topicals, tinctures, and concentrates are allowed as well in addition to flower products.

Unfortunately, you cannot purchase edibles online legally in Connecticut. Because recreational dispensaries are not yet open in Connecticut, there are limits on what type of cannabis you can have and where you can have it. This could change in the future as Connecticut builds out their recreational cannabis infrastructure.

If you use medical marijuana frequently, growing marijuana at home can save you   money and ensure that you always have some supply on hand. The new recreational marijuana legislation allows any Connecticut resident over the age of 21 to grow at least six cannabis plants at their residence. However, this does not take effect until 2023.

However, medical marijuana patients in Connecticut can grow their own plants now. This took effect in October 2021. Growing your own plants can save you a lot of money in the long run and give you more control over the types of plants you are buying. However, you will need to invest more money up front to set up a grow station and create temperatures where plants can thrive.

When growing marijuana, you will need to keep your plants out of public view. You will need to ensure that they are stored securely and that no minors have access to them. If you are living in a rental unit, you will need to make sure that your landlord allows for marijuana cultivation. Many rental properties have restrictions around growing and consuming cannabis.

There are currently 18 medical dispensaries in Connecticut. These dispensaries are open to adults who have medical marijuana cards. These dispensaries are also distributed evenly throughout the state to provide equitable access to patients. As the recreational marijuana program gets off the ground in Connecticut, we will see dispensaries open to the general public. We will also see more dispensaries open throughout the state of Connecticut.

When you visit the dispensary, the staff will help you find the products that are the best fit for you. They will ask you questions about your medical needs and the type of products you enjoy. Your doctor can also recommend you specific types of cannabis products to try. Once you are familiar with cannabis products and know which one you want, some dispensaries will allow you to call ahead and place an order for pickup.

The state of Connecticut legalized marijuana for recreational use in 2021. The Connecticut weed legalization movement had been working for several years to finalize this legislation. However, recreational dispensaries are not yet open. This is because it takes time for the state to develop the infrastructure for recreational marijuana. Right now, you will not be able to buy recreational marijuana if you visit Connecticut. However, this will change when the first dispensaries open,  which is likely to be sometime in late 2022.