Connecticut’s Department of Consumer Protection (DCP) is reorganizing its approach to regulating the state’s marijuana industry, shifting oversight and enforcement from its Drug Control Division to a new, separate division within the agency. This change comes less than a month after state officials apologized for what appeared to be a retaliatory inspection at a cannabis cultivation facility.
The new division, led by Lila McKinley, a DCP attorney with over a decade of experience, will be responsible for licensing, regulatory, and inspection functions for both medical and recreational marijuana. McKinley has been involved in developing the regulations for Connecticut’s adult-use cannabis market and has a strong relationship with the industry.
The reorganization was in the works before the inspection incident, but its implementation was accelerated as a result. According to Commissioner Bryan Cafferelli, the state’s previous approach to regulating the cannabis industry was suitable when dispensaries were limited to selling medical marijuana, but the industry’s growth and complexity require a more specialized approach.
The new division will allow for more focused attention on the cannabis industry, which has seen significant growth in recent years. Connecticut companies are now selling tens of millions of dollars in recreational weed every month, and the state’s regulatory framework needs to adapt to meet the industry’s evolving needs.
Some cannabis business owners in the state welcomed the reorganization, seeing it as a sign of the industry’s growth and maturity. Ben Zachs, an executive with Fine Fettle, which operates multiple dispensaries in the state, praised the move, saying it will allow for more focus on the industry’s needs and priorities.
The reorganization also comes as the number of cannabis companies in operation in Connecticut continues to grow, and the rate of that growth requires more attention from state regulators. Rodrick J. Marriott, a pharmacist by training, will remain as director of DCP’s Drug Control Division, which will continue to regulate pharmacies and controlled-substance providers and manufacturers.
The shift in oversight is expected to benefit the industry, allowing for more specialized attention and a more tailored approach to regulation. As the industry continues to grow and evolve, the state’s regulatory framework will need to adapt to ensure public health and safety.
