What is the difference between the Medical Marijuana Program and the Adult-Use Cannabis Program?


Read time: 6 minutes

Connecticut has both a Medical Marijuana Program and an Adult-Use Cannabis Program.

The Medical Marijuana market serves qualifying patients and their caregivers. To purchase medical marijuana products from a medical marijuana dispensary or hybrid retailer, you must be certified to have an approved condition by a practitioner and then register with the Department of Consumer Protection as a qualifying patient or caregiver.

The Adult-Use Cannabis market serves all adults 21 years of age or older. Registration is not required to purchase cannabis from an adult-use cannabis hybrid retailer, retailer or micro-cultivator, but you must be at least 21 years old.

Here are some other differences you will see between the two markets:

 

Adult-Use Cannabis markets
Adult-Use Cannabis Medical Marijuana
Registration Required No Yes
Allotment 1 ounce per transaction per day 5 ounces per month
(or as prescribed by practitioner)
Amount Allowed to be Carried on a Person 1.5 ounces 5 ounces
Amount Allowed in Private Residence or Locked Glovebox 5 ounces 5 ounces
Tax Retail price + tax
(6.35% sales tax, 3% tax to municipalities, THC tax based on milligrams of THC)
Retail price, medication is nontaxable
Financial Assistance None Yes, multiple programs at licensed establishments, income-based
Cannabis Potency Up to 30 percent for cannabis flower;
Up to 60 percent for other cannabis products
No restriction
Product Types No capsules, pills, tablets, sublinguals, nor suppositories or other product form administered through a bodily orifice other than orally permitted. No restriction
Age Restriction 21+ Minors under 18 and Adults 18+ Must be certified to have an approved condition by a practitioner.

Cannabis use and Safety Medical Marijuana Program Retail Sales