A Letter To Our Connecticut Governor

Dear Governor Lamont,

I am writing to you to express my concern about the current situation of the marijuana industry in Connecticut. As you know, marijuana has been legalized in our state, which is a great step towards providing access to a safer alternative for people who use it for medical and recreational purposes. However, the current situation of the marijuana market in our state is not optimal, and there is a great need for change.

One of the most significant challenges that the marijuana industry faces in Connecticut is the limited access to permits and licenses for opening new companies. Currently, the permit fees for opening a new marijuana company are significantly higher than those for anything else, literally. This high cost is a significant barrier to entry, and it has led to a concentration of the market in the hands of a few large companies. This concentration has led to a lack of diversity in the market, and it has made it challenging for small entrepreneurs to enter the industry.

In contrast, micro-breweries have been thriving in Connecticut, with a diverse range of companies opening up across the state. The lower permit fees ($1500) have allowed small entrepreneurs to enter the market and have created a thriving industry that has brought new jobs and opportunities to our state. In contrast, the high permit fees for the marijuana industry have limited the number of companies that can operate in our state, and it has made it difficult for new entrepreneurs to enter the market.

I believe that it is crucial to level the playing field and provide the same permit fees for the marijuana industry as the micro-brewery industry. This would allow more small entrepreneurs to enter the market and would create a more diverse range of products and services for consumers. It would also provide more job opportunities for people in our state and would help to boost our local economy.

In addition to lowering the permit fees, I believe that it is also essential to eliminate the lottery system that is currently in place for awarding permits to new companies. This lottery system has led to a concentration of the market in the hands of more MSO companies and has made it challenging for small entrepreneurs to enter the industry. Instead, a merit-based system should be established that would award permits to companies based on their qualifications, experience, and ability to meet the needs of consumers.

I also believe that it is essential to provide more support and resources to small entrepreneurs who want to enter the marijuana industry. This support could include access to business loans and marketing resources. By providing these resources, we can help to level the playing field and create a more diverse and thriving market for marijuana in Connecticut. REAL equity.

Finally, I believe that it is crucial to create a more open and transparent regulatory environment for the marijuana industry. An open and transparent regulatory environment would also provide more opportunities for feedback and input from the public and would help to ensure that the industry is meeting the needs of consumers and patients.

I strongly believe that the marijuana industry in Connecticut has the potential to be a thriving and diverse market that provides new job opportunities and boosts our local economy. However, to achieve this goal, we must level the playing field and provide more support and resources to small entrepreneurs. By doing so, we can create a market that is more diverse and representative of the needs of consumers. Thank you for your attention to this matter.

Sincerely,