Cannabis sales in Connecticut continue to rise in August, with sales reaching $25 million

New data on monthly cannabis sales in Connecticut shows the numbers are up again. The Connecticut Department of Consumer Protection (DCP) announced in a press release that between August 1 and August 31, total adult-use and medical cannabis sales reached nearly $25 million.

“The adult marijuana market recorded sales of more than $14 million in August, while the medical marijuana market recorded sales of nearly $11 million during the same period,” the release said.

Medical cannabis patients purchased 278,395 cannabis products (with an average price of $39.36), while recreational users purchased 354,700 (with an average price of $39.49).

By product type, most sales (approximately 53%) included flower, followed by vape cartridges (27%), edibles (10%), extracts (7%) and “other” (4%), which covers products like pills , tinctures, topicals and more.

The Adult Use Cannabis Act was originally signed by Governor Ned Lamont in June 2021, making it the fourth state to legalize recreational cannabis. Sales were originally scheduled to begin in 2022, and more than 15,000 pharmacy applications were received in May this year.

In January, Lamont announced he would expunge approximately 42,964 cannabis convictions, as required by state legislation legalizing cannabis for adults. “On January 1, thousands of minor cannabis convictions in Connecticut will be automatically expunged as a result of the laws we have enacted,” Lamont said. “Especially when employers are trying to fill vacancies, an old belief about little wealth should not deter anyone from their ambitions.”

Adult-use sales didn’t start until January 2023, but the state had $250,000 in sales on the first day with eight pharmacies in operation. “Today marks a turning point in the injustice caused by the War on Drugs, especially now that there is a legal alternative to the dangerous, unregulated underground market for cannabis sales,” Governor Lamont said of the program’s success. “Together with our partners in the Legislature and our team of experts at the Department of Consumer Affairs, we have carefully created a safely regulated market that prioritizes public health, public safety, social justice and equity. I look forward to continuing our efforts to ensure this industry remains inclusive and safe as it evolves.”

Adult-use cannabis sales totaled $5 million in January, followed by $7 million in February, $9.5 million in March, $10 million in April, $11.5 million dollars in May, $12.5 million in June, $13 million in July and finally $14 million in August.

Medical cannabis was legalized by former Connecticut Governor Dannel Malloy, but sales tracking was not required and will not be available until 2023. Now the state uses BioTrack for its seed-to-sale tracking data.

As seen in other states where cannabis is used for both medical and adult use, medical cannabis sales began to decline as adult-use cannabis sales became established. January saw $8 million in medical cannabis sales, followed by $11.5 million in February, $12.5 million in March, and then a steady decline in April with $11.5 million, in May with $11 million and a slight increase over $11 million in June to $10.6 million in July and finally $10.9 million in August.

In June, residents were finally allowed to start growing their own cannabis plants, up to six per home (three mature and three immature). “Adults who choose to grow their own cannabis should use safe and healthy gardening practices when growing any products they intend to consume,” said DCP Commissioner Bryan T. Cafferelli. “Plants should also be kept indoors, out of the reach and sight of children and pets.”

According to CT Insider, one of the state’s two cannabis testing labs is officially closed. The report states that AltaSci Labs closed in March and its license became inactive. However, the reason for this “cannot be attributed to disciplinary or other measures by the state,” said DCP spokeswoman Kaitlyn Krasselt.

The only remaining lab, Northeast Laboratories, currently manages all incoming cannabis, which “continues to operate and test cannabis in Connecticut, and there has been no impact to the cannabis program.” However, some advocates believe it will soon become a problem.

Recently, California-based cannabis education school Oaksterdam University hosted a graduation ceremony for numerous Connecticut cannabis business owners. Oaksterdam received $1 million as part of a contract to provide training specifically for Social Equity Council-recognized students in an accelerated program.

Luis Vega, CEO of Nautilus Botanicals, shared insights into his experience in the program. “It was a valuable lesson,” Vega said. “That was great. There were growing pains. But I really appreciate the state partnering with someone.” Vega is currently working on opening two dispensaries and two cultivation sites.

In total, 32 participants started the program and 11 completed the program (eight more are expected to graduate soon). As part of the participation agreement, graduates receive a 1.5% discount on their effective annual interest rate.

Gov. Susan Bysiewicz attended the closing ceremony and told CT Insider that “the equity component of cannabis legalization is absolutely critical” to the state’s cannabis industry. “Now we have the opportunity to see entrepreneurs and small businesses hopefully grow into large businesses with people of color and women of color,” Bysiewicz added.