CONNECTICUT CONSUMER INFORMATION

Possession

An individual may possess and use up to 1.5 oz of cannabis.

DUI

Driving under the influence of cannabis is against the law. It is against the law for both drivers and passengers to use cannabis in a vehicle while it is operating.

Storage

Individuals in Connecticut may also store up to 5 oz in a locked container at home or transport it in a locked glovebox or trunk.

Growing

Medical marijuana patients and all adults 21+ can grow up to 3 mature and 3 immature plants at home (up to 12 total plants per household).

Travel

Driving across state lines with cannabis is illegal and can lead to federal criminal charges.

Minors

It is illegal for adults to provide cannabis to minors.

Employment

Some jobs may prohibit an employee from using cannabis, even when they are off the clock.

What to Know: Smoking & Vaping

In general, you won’t be able to smoke or vape cannabis anywhere you can’t smoke or vape tobacco.

Cities and towns may enact ordinances to regulate whether and where cannabis can be consumed in public.

At home, landlords may prohibit smoking and vaping, but they generally may not prohibit possession or consumption of other forms of cannabis.

Cannabis use will be prohibited in state parks, and on state beaches and waters.

Store it Locked!

Like many other substances, cannabis is toxic for children and pets. Make sure children cannot access cannabis products in any form. A safe storage plan can help lower the risk of accidental ingestion.

Be safe. Remember to:

Keep cannabis in a secure and locked place. Cannabis products should be out of sight, and out of reach of children and pets to avoid accidental ingestion.

Store cannabis products in their original containers and keep the label. Labels on cannabis products from licensed cannabis establishments will have important information, including how much THC is in the product.

Consider using a safe or lockbox with a combination lock or keypad.

Make a list of cannabis products in your home. Knowing exactly what cannabis products you have in your home can help with medical treatment in case of accidental ingestion.

If a child ingests cannabis, get help immediately. Call Poison Control at

1-800-222-1222

If a pet ingests cannabis, call Animal Poison Control at

1-888-426-4435

Health Risks

Cannabis is often viewed as harmless when compared to other drugs. However, cannabis can cause many physical and mental issues, especially in developing teens. Such issues can include:

Problems with memory and focus

Increased aggression

Poor lung health (from smoking or vaping cannabis)

Risky behavior

Weaker coordination and thinking skills

Schizophrenia and other long-lasting mental disorders

Marijuana Use Disorder

If you use cannabis, tell your doctor. Some medications have harmful interactions with cannabis that can put your health at risk.

Mental Health

Studies link marijuana use to depression, anxiety, suicide planning, and psychotic episodes. If you are using cannabis to help you deal with stress or anxiety, talk with your doctor. For some people, cannabis use can make mental health worse.

Some cannabis products have very high potencies of THC (tetrahydrocannabinol). THC is the psychoactive compound in cannabis that creates a high. The Centers for Disease Control & Prevention (CDC) also report that daily or near daily use of high-THC cannabis products can cause disorientation, anxiety, and even psychosis.

How to Safely Dispose of Cannabis Waste

It’s important to know how to safely dispose of cannabis, cannabis products, and cannabis waste. These items may contain high levels of THC, and can be dangerous to both children and animals if ingested.

Cannabis waste should be mixed with other waste material, like coffee grounds or kitty litter, so it can’t be used.

The waste mixture should be in a taped and sealed container, like an empty yogurt cup, and thrown into regular trash.

Do not flush cannabis products or packaging down the sink or toilet.

If cannabis packaging is recyclable, throw EMPTY and CLEAN containers away with other recyclables.

If the packaging is not recyclable, throw the EMPTY package away with the regular trash.

If you think your cannabis use is disrupting your daily life, or causing problems at work or at home, or if you crave cannabis, you can call the hotline to find out about healthcare and substance use services in your community.

1-800-563-4086

Inhalation Forms

Inhalation forms are any type of medical cannabis that are put into the body through the lungs. The benefit of these medications is that consumers feel rapid effects, usually within 5 to 10 minutes. The effects last a shorter duration, ranging from 2 to 4 hours on average.

Many consumers, especially those without previous experience, report that inhalation forms allow for easily controlled doses. Since the effects are felt quickly, finding the appropriate dose in a conservative fashion is possible.

Inhalation forms can be either combusted (burned, with a fire) or vaporized (changed from liquid to gas, like boiling water into steam).

Combustion, or burning, generates smoke, which is inhaled to the lung. Smoke can irritate the lung, cause coughing and is known to contain ingredients that are linked to cancer; however, this is still a popular method of using medical cannabis.

In the last decade, vaporization has become increasingly popular due to the adverse effects associated with combustion. Vaporization does not generate smoke; thus, it is generally referred to as a “cleaner” process. It involves exposing the product to small amount of heat (generally from a battery), which then puts the active ingredients into a vapor.

Inhalation products are Flower (dried bud) which is usually packaged in to 3.5 gram bottles. Pre-rolls are pre-rolled joints that often come in packs of 3 or 4. There are also concentrated forms like oils (packaged into Cartridges), or solid Concentrates (wax, crumble, shatter).

Ingestible Forms

Ingestible forms are any type of medical cannabis that is swallowed and absorbed through the stomach. This form of medicine tends to be the most potent, but also the most unpredictable, due to the differences in each consumers body. The effects of ingestible forms can be felt as soon as 20 minutes, or as long 2 hours, depending on the dose, metabolism and activity level of the patient, and if it’s taken with or without food. Once the effects kick in, the medication tends to last anywhere from 5 to 8 hours. Due to the human body’s processing of the cannabis, the effects tend to be more intense versus inhaled or sublingual forms.

edibles, are baked goods infused with cannabis oil. These are things like cookies, brownies, and honey. Generally, patients require a small piece of a baked good as their “dose”, so the caloric intake is minimal.

Effervescent tablets are a water-compatible option for cannabinoid delivery. Each tablet is formulated with concentrated oils derived from the cannabis plant and must be dissolved in 8-12 ounces of cold or hot, non-carbonated beverage to ingest. Note that the tablet will take longer to dissolve in colder drinks and must be store in dry storage due to their moisture-sensitive nature. Typically sold in packs of 10 dissolvable tablets.

Capsules and tablets are formulated with concentrated oils derived from the cannabis plant. They are pre-filled and packaged to specific doses and formulations. These are swallowed just like a traditional pill. Most formulations come in packages of 10 capsules but there are some that come in packs of 5.

Oil Syringes are concentrated oils that are pre-packaged into oral syringes. These oils can be used straight from the syringe, or mixed into foods and eaten. We also stock empty gel capsules so that you may make your own formulation of capsule to swallow.

Sublingual Forms

Sublingual forms are any type of medical cannabis that is absorbed underneath the tongue. Typically, patients feel the effects of these medications within 30 minutes of administering. The effects of sublingual products generally last 4 to 6 hours. There are several formulations developed for use sublingually.

Tinctures (made using alcohol) or oral solutions (made with coconut oil), are both liquid forms of highly concentrated medication that come with a dropper to aid with measuring. Patients typically need a few drops for their dose. These forms can also be ingested (see above).

Strips (called Slips) are a thin gel material that dissolve rapidly when wet. These can also be cut into small pieces to help regulate the dosage. Strips come in packs of 10. Sprays are used the same way, and are metered to a specific dose. Each bottle contains 50 metered doses. All of these products contain natural peppermint oil and taste like a breath mint.

Topical Forms

Topical forms are any type of medical cannabis that is applied directly to the skin. These formulations are absorbed directly where applied, and have a very low risk of any type of psychoactive response, so they can be used as needed. Patients find that topical products help with inflammation on the skin, or with pain or swelling in joints below the skin. Many consumers report that it takes several days or weeks of repeated use to see results.

Cannabinoids

Cannabinoids are chemical compounds which activate the cannabinoid receptors found throughout our bodies. Phytocannabinoids are the natural forms of these chemicals found in highest concentrations within female cannabis flowers – more specifically, within the resin glands on the surface of the flower. There are at least 85 different cannabinoids identified and isolated from various cannabis strains. Each has a unique influence on the body’s endocannabinoid system. (1)

Tetrahydrocannabinol (THC)

THC is the best-known cannabinoid and is the primary psychoactive compound. It has also been found to be neuroprotective with analgesic (pain relieving) effects.(2)

Tetrahydrocannabinolic Acid (THCA)

THCA is the most prominent compound in fresh, undried cannabis. The compound does not have psychoactive effects in its own right. For more information on this cannabinoid

Cannabidiol (CBD)

Many of the medical benefits attributed to cannabis are because of CBD. Many strains are selectively bred to increase their CBD content. CBD is not psychoactive.

Cannabidiolic Acid (CBDA)

CBDA is a non-psychoactive cannabinoid. For more information on this cannabinoid

Cannabigerol (CBG)

CBG is a non-psychoactive cannabinoid

Cannabinol (CBN)

CBN is also non-psychoactive and is generally attributed with a sedative effect. The typical amount of CBN found in most samples of cannabis is less than 1%

Cannabichromene (CBC)

CBC is perhaps the least understood cannabinoid, but potentially among the most important. For more information on this cannabinoid

Tetrahydrocannabivarin (THCV)

THCV is commonly believed to be an appetite suppressant.

Cannabidivarin (CBDV)

CBDV has been a relatively ignored cannabinoid

Terpenes are the fragrance molecules found emanating from all plants – including cannabis, which offers a unique scent from one strain to the next. The fragrant imprint of each plant is a result of different combinations of terpenes. Cannabis is unique in that each strain has a unique profile of terpenes. Terpenes are believed to exhibit medicinal properties independent from the cannabinoids. Overall, terpenes contribute to a strain’s particular influence – a phenomenon known as the entourage effect

Linalool

Linalool is simple terpene alcohol, probably best known for the pleasant floral odor it gives to lavender plants. It is also known as β-linalool, licareol and linalyl alcohol. Linalool has been isolated in several hundred different plants including lavenders, citrus, laurels, birch, coriander and rosewood.

Terpinolene

Terpinolene is a monoterpene, part of the terpinene subfamily of terpenes. Terpinolene is found in oregano, marjoram, cumin, lilac, some citrus rind and conifers.

Phytol

When the Chlorophyll molecule degrades, it breaks down into two parts. The ‘tail’ portion is Phytol, an oily diterpene.

β-Myrcene

β-Myrcene is a monoterpene, and for a wide variety of reasons, one of the most important terpenes. It is a precursor in the formation of other terpenes, as well. β-Myrcene is found fresh mango fruit, hops, bay leaves, eucalyptus, lemongrass and many other plants.

Citronellol

Citronellol is a monoterpenoid, closely related to Geraniol, and is found in geraniums, rose, some citrus rind

Caryphyllene Oxide

Caryophyllene oxide is the oxidation product of beta-Caryophyllene.

α-Pinene

α-Pinene is one of the principle monoterpenes, and is important physiologically in both plants and animals, and to our environment. It’s found in conifer trees, orange peels among others, and known for it’s sharp sweet odor. α-Pinene is a major constituent in turpentine.

Limonene

D-limonene is a cyclic terpene of major importance with a strong citrus odor and bitter taste. Limonene is one of two major compounds formed from α-Pinene.

β–Caryophyllene

Beta-caryophyllene is a sesquiterpene found in many plants including Thai basils, cloves and black pepper, and has a rich spicy odor

Humulene

Humulene is a sesquiterpene also known as α-humulene and α–caryophyllene; an isomer of β–caryophyllene. Humulene is found in hops, cannabis sativa strains, and Vietnamese coriander, among others. Humulene gives beer its ‘hoppy’ aroma.