The following list summarizes some important changes in this edition of the Policies and Procedures. Licensees should still review the entire Policies and Procedures document to make sure they understand all of the changes. Licensees are responsible for complying with these Policies and Procedures starting on September 15, 2024.  

Section 21a-421j-1. Definitions. 

Updates the following definitions: 

• Adds a definition for “Approved Secure Location,” which provides flexibility in the use of safes and vaults.  
• Adds a definition for “Logo,” which provides clarification for marketing and enables white labeling in a more direct manner.   

Section 21a-421j-2. Reportable Events. 

• Requires the reporting of cyber events, including security and information breaches. 

Section 21a-421j-7. Cannabis Establishment Minimum Security Systems and Equipment Requirements. 

• Clarifies that, while an establishment’s entry points must be secured, a man-trap is not required for all cannabis establishments. 
• Streamlines security alarm requirements to include just one audible alarm and one silent alarm. 

Section 21a-421j-12. Employee Requirements; Notification of Changes by Licensees, Backers, Key Employees and Employees.   

• Updates notification requirements for backers, key employees, employees and licensed cannabis establishments.   
• Establishes patient-communication requirements when a dispensary facility or hybrid retailer moves locations.  

Section 21a-421j-14. Operation of Dispensary Facilities, Hybrid Retailers and Retailers. 

• Allows for additional features in cannabis displays at dispensary facilities, hybrid retailers and retailers. 
• Requires warning signage to be posted at the consumer point of sale regarding yeast, mold and other pathogens that may be present in cannabis products. 

Section 21a-421j-15. Dispensary Facility, Hybrid Retailer and Retailer Prohibitions.   

• Requires dispensary facilities and hybrid retailers to have a licensed pharmacist present and supervising dispensing activities any time during hours of operation, ensuring that patients will always have reliable medical access when the store is open.   
• Allows for the sale of most kinds of merchandise other than food and beverages, products containing nicotine, and anything appealing to minors.  

Section 21a-421j-24. Minimum requirements for the storage and handling of cannabis by a producer, cultivator, micro-cultivator, food and beverage manufacturer, product manufacturer, product packager, delivery service, and transporter.  

• Requires chain of custody records to comply with 21 CFR 211 Part J.
• Requires establishments to submit policies and procedures to the Department annually upon renewal. 

Section 21a-421j-25. Cannabis Manufacturing Restrictions. 

• Allows mints in the adult-use market, provided they are cuboid in shape. 
• Permits a logo on a pre-roll wrapper, so long as the ingredients of the wrapper and the logo are allowed under the policies and procedures, and are laboratory tested. 

Section 21a-421j-28. Medical Marijuana Products. 

• Allows lozenges in the adult-use market (i.e. not medical marijuana products) if they are packaged in a multilayer blister packaging. 

Section 21a-421j-29. Cannabis Testing Laboratory Processes and Testing. 

• Clarifies that preliminary testing of cannabis and cannabis products is allowed and that the results must be kept on record. 
• Provides that Certificate of Analysis (COA) testing shall be conducted on cannabis in final form, and in final packaging. 
• Sets guidelines for batch sizes and representative sampling. 
• Addresses solvent and cannabinoid testing requirements.  
• Specifies that Aspergillus testing focuses on both detection and viability.   
• Adds chromium to the list of heavy metals testing requirements.  

Section 21a-421j-30. Product Name Testing and Registration. 

• Lists the minimum required tests that must be performed for stability testing. 
• Clarifies that a COA cannot be older than 30 days when submitted for brand registration.   

Section 21a-421j-32. Cannabis Labeling Requirements. 

• Requires labels to include the name of the last cannabis establishment that produced or manufactured the cannabis, as applicable. 
• Requires labels to include the range of time it typically takes the cannabis to affect a person.  
• Adds date information and warning statement requirements for extended content labeling. 

Section 21a-421j-34. Vehicle security, Section 21a-421j-35. Manifests, and Section 21a-421j-36. Transporting Agents; Transportation of Cannabis. 

• Exempts seedlings from certain requirements.