This legislation adapts the state’s strong existing framework that prevents access to alcohol by minors. For example, it will be a Class A misdemeanor to sell or provide cannabis to a person under 21 years old. In addition, an individual allowing someone under 21 years old to loiter at a cannabis store will receive a $1,000 fine on the first offense with subsequent offenses classified as a Class B misdemeanor. It will be a Class D misdemeanor for a person under the age of 21 to lie about their age or use a fake ID to buy cannabis. Delivery services will be required to use online ID and age verification. This law also expands Connecticut’s “social host” law to include cannabis, which means that parents or other adults may commit a crime if they allow minors to use or possess cannabis on their property.
More information is available about addiction prevention and the health risks of cannabis.