Connecticut Marijuana Compliance

Connecticut marijuana laws legalized both medical and recreational marijuana. Connecticut marijuana compliance guidelines must be followed to remain legal. For example, recreational marijuana laws require users to be current Connecticut residents ages 21 and older. Medicinal marijuana laws have strict guidelines as well, including qualifying medical conditions and a physician's diagnosis.

Employers in Connecticut can't take adverse actions against candidates or workers just for testing positive for marijuana. However, they can still test for and prohibit marijuana use during work hours as part of their drug-free workplace policy.

Although medicinal and recreational marijuana are both legal in Connecticut, marijuana is still illegal under federal law. Federal law classifies marijuana as a Schedule I drug. Connecticut residents must become familiar with marijuana state vs. federal laws.

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This Information Is Not Intended for Legal Purposes

The information provided on this page is intended for your own knowledge, and should not be used for legal matters. Since marijuana testing regulations can vary, we advise you to seek the guidance of expert legal counsel when creating your company's substance abuse screening program.

Connecticut Marijuana Compliance

Connecticut Marijuana Laws

Overall Status: Fully Legal

Both medicinal and recreational marijuana are legal under Connecticut marijuana compliance laws.

Medical Marijuana: Legal

Medicinal marijuana in Connecticut is legal for qualifying adults. Connecticut marijuana laws approved medicinal marijuana for palliative use for critically ill patients while preventing the misuse of marijuana for other purposes. Medicinal marijuana users are immune from state civil and criminal penalties for marijuana use.

To qualify for medicinal marijuana use in Connecticut, patients must be diagnosed by a physician with one of the qualifying illnesses, not be a current inmate, and be a current Connecticut resident age 18 or older.

To avoid penalties for using marijuana, patients must have a valid medical marijuana registration card and obtain the marijuana from specific dispensaries.

Decriminalized: Yes

Connecticut marijuana laws have legalized both recreational and medicinal marijuana. Many previous criminal convictions related to marijuana possession of fewer than four ounces were expunged in 2023. In addition, employers cannot take adverse employment action based on a positive marijuana drug test alone.

Recreational Marijuana: Legal

Recreational marijuana is legal for Connecticut residents ages 21 and older. Connecticut marijuana compliance allows adults to possess up to 1.5 ounces on their person. Beginning July 1, 2023, adults can cultivate up to 6 plants per adult or 12 plants per household, according to Connecticut recreational marijuana laws.

Last updated 1/12/2024

Frequently Asked Questions

Yes. Marijuana is legal in Connecticut for both medicinal and recreational purposes. Adult users must be at least 21 years old, though medical marijuana patients can be 18 and older. Marijuana remains illegal under federal law.

What is Connecticut's history with marijuana?

Medicinal marijuana in Connecticut became legal in June 2012 to protect patients and their caregivers from penalties.

In 2016, lawmakers expanded Connecticut's medicinal marijuana program and added dispensaries. By 2018, the state had a total of 18 dispensaries statewide.

In 2020, Connecticut added chronic pain to the list of qualifying conditions for medical marijuana. Prior to this, Connecticut was the only state that legalized medical marijuana without chronic pain as a qualifying condition.

On July 1, 2021, Connecticut legalized recreational marijuana.

What is the punishment for possession in Connecticut?

In Connecticut, there is no penalty for the possession of up to 1.5 ounces of marijuana in public places. But the possession of more than 1.5 ounces in public is a misdemeanor, with a penalty of up to one year of incarceration and a $2,000 fine. In private residences, there is no penalty for up to five ounces of marijuana.

Drug Tests That Exclude Marijuana

Urine Drug Panels That Do Not Include Marijuana Testing

Some of the popular drug tests that remove THC from the panel of drugs being tested are listed below:

Also try taking a look at our comprehensive list of urine drug panels that exclude marijuana. Drug tests that do not include marijuana testing can be found under the "Exclude Marijuana" section.

Hair Drug Tests That Do Not Include Marijuana Testing

To remove marijuana testing from a hair test, try one of our two popular hair tests:

For a complete list of our hair drug tests, take a look at our comprehensive list of hair tests.

Drug Panels That Include Marijuana

Urine Drug Tests That Include THC Testing

If marijuana testing is needed, the below urine drug panels include testing for THC:

For a complete list of urine drug panels that we offer, view our urine drug panels here.

Hair Drug Panels That Include Marijuana Testing

The following are hair drug tests that include testing for THC:

A comprehensive list of the hair drug panels that we offer can be found here.

Citations

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"Connecticut Laws and Penalties." NORML, https://norml.org/laws/connecticut-penalties/
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"Update on the Legalization of Marijuana in Connecticut." The National Law Review, 23 July 2021, https://www.natlawreview.com/article/update-legalization-marijuana-connecticut
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"Cannabis in Connecticut." Visit Connecticut, https://www.visitconnecticut.com/state/cannabis-marijuana-in-connecticut/
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"Can I grow cannabis at home?" Connecticut's Official State Website, 15 September 2021, https://portal.ct.gov/cannabis/Knowledge-Base/Articles/Growing-cannabis-at-home?language=en_US
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"Medical Marijuana." Connecticut State Department of Consumer Protection, https://portal.ct.gov/DCP/Drug-Control-Division/Drug-Control/Medical-Marijuana
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"Connecticut." Marijuana Policy Project, 21 September 2021, https://www.mpp.org/states/connecticut/
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"Connecticut's Legalized Recreational Marijuana (Cannabis) Law." 211 of Connecticut, https://uwc.211ct.org/connecticuts-legalized-recreational-marijuana-cannabis-law/
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Barrett, Stacy. "Medical Marijuana and Federal Law." Criminal Defense Lawyer, https://www.criminaldefenselawyer.com/resources/criminal-defense/federal-crime/medical-marijuana-federal-laws.htm
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McKenna, Elizabeth and Deitchler, Dale. "Connecticut Legalizes Recreational Marijuana, Will Allow Employers to Continue Prohibiting Recreational Marijuana Use." Littler, 19 July 2021, https://www.littler.com/publication-press/publication/connecticut-legalizes-recreational-marijuana-will-allow-employers