About the 2025 Council Market Outlook Working Group
According to Section 43 of Public Act No. 25-166, the SEC Working Group will explore and develop recommendations on key topics, including cannabis cultivation in affected areas, enhancing marketplace equity, and improving municipal relations. We will address critical issues such as identifying sustainable locations for cultivators, assisting local governments in accessing potential tax benefits, tackling market challenges, navigating zoning regulations, and examining equitable joint venture business models. Additionally, we are eager to engage with leaders from youth-serving organizations to gain insights on raising awareness and education regarding responsible cannabis use.
The working group consists of leaders representing business, government, and the community, divided into three subcommittees:
Marketplace
(The Marketplace subcommittee is divided into two areas of focus: cannabis and non-cannabis.)
Cannabis: The marketplace subcommittee on cannabis aims to understand the challenges of cannabis businesses in areas such as cultivation and business structures. The subcommittee also aims to provide information on financial resources and workforce opportunities and create best practices and recommendations for CT's growing cannabis industry.
Non-cannabis: The marketplace subcommittee on non-cannabis aims to further investigate pathways to meaningful employment by deepening an understanding of current workforce initiatives and aligning with industry needs. It also aims to explore how mid-sized to large companies can be anchors for communities most impacted by the war on drugs.
Co-chairs
Chris DiPentima, CBIA | Nikole Burns, CT Cannabis Chamber
Municipal Relations
The municipal relations subcommittee convenes municipal leaders to gain perspectives on Adult-Use Cannabis. It offers recommendations for a toolkit of resources for municipalities interested in supporting/creating local cannabis markets and creating appropriate safeguards against the misuse of adult-use cannabis.
Co-chairs
Mayor Arunan Arulampalam, Hartford | Mayor Vincent Cervoni, Wallingford
Youth Champion
The youth champion subcommittee aims to give youth an active voice in the realm of legalized Adult-Use Cannabis. Youth and youth-serving organizations will relay perspectives on responsible Adult Use, harm reduction, and how Adult Use can support youth in the future.
Co-chairs
Eddie Brown, Hartford Communities that Care | John Torres, Bridgeport Caribe Youth Leaders
