Connecticut Celebrates Four Years of Legalized Recreational Marijuana
As of July 1, it has been four years since Connecticut legalized recreational marijuana for individuals 21 and older. This milestone marks a significant shift in the state’s cannabis market, with recreational sales now making up the majority of retail sales. In fact, medical purchases have accounted for less than half of the state’s cannabis market retail sales since May 2023.
Connecticut was the 19th state to legalize recreational marijuana, following a law enacted in 2012 that allowed medical cannabis use. The state’s recreational market launched in January 2023, and since then, the number of dispensaries has grown from nine hybrid retailers to 36 recreational dispensaries and 35 hybrid dealers.
One of the key differences between medical and recreational cannabis products is the tax. Medical users are exempt from the cannabis tax, while recreational users are subject to a tax that varies based on the product and its THC content. Medical users also have access to a wider range of products, including capsules, tablets, pills, sublinguals, and suppositories, which are not available to recreational users.
In addition, medical users are not subject to potency restrictions, while recreational cannabis products are capped at 30 percent THC for flower and 60 percent THC for concentrate products other than vapes. However, as of October 1, 2025, the cap for raw flower will be raised to 35 percent THC and 70 percent THC for concentrates other than vapes.
The cannabis tax has generated significant revenue for the state, with $21.3 million in state revenue generated in FY 2024. When combined with state sales tax, municipality sales tax, and licensing and conversion fees for dispensaries, the total cannabis revenue for FY 2024 reached $49.4 million.
Usable cannabis flower remains the top-selling product in both the medical and recreational markets, with recreational cannabis retail sales reaching $18.7 million in May 2025 and medical retail sales reaching $6.6 million.
As Connecticut continues to navigate the legal cannabis landscape, it is clear that the state’s approach has had a significant impact on the market and the industry. With more dispensaries opening and more products becoming available, it will be interesting to see how the market evolves in the coming years.
