State House Minority Leader Vincent Candelora, R-North Branford, was recently quoted in the Hartford Courant stressing his discontents in regards to the current state of affairs of legalization in CT.
One of the things Candelora focused on was when he said the medical marijuana industry is losing customers. People are not paying the annual $100 fee for a medical marijuana card because they can possess it legally without one. He also claimed that the medical industry is plummeting because they don’t have retail licenses.
He should keep in mind that the medical system is flawed, and has always been. People are tired of whatever hoopla the state is handing them that they just have to deal with. Allow me to give you an example or 2 or 3.
For starters the state put a choke hold on everyone with a card by restricting them to one establishment with only 4 product lines. Sure, people could switch their dispensary… But only 3 times a year and they all carry the same thing. The option for choice was never an option. Plus the blinding white walls and countertops had been voided of any and all culture surrounding the cannabis plant. They attempted to commit genicide. All of the old wonderment and elegance of weed was regulated out of existence. Including bowls that were red, green, and yellow.
YES THE SCARY RASTA COLORS WILL EAT YOUR CHILDREN!!!!
Lastly on this note, when did the state start looking to preserve any business? No one cared when a Home Depot opened up and closed all the local hardware stores or when Walmart came up like some Lochness Monster and ate most of the local Mom and Pop shops. Just saying…
Next…
In October 2017, Connecticut had 20,309 patients paying $100 for a year’s access to a dispensary. You have to keep in mind that this was after they had paid for their doctor’s visit. Once the doctor submits the patient’s information, the 1 year clock begins to tick. That time (which lasted close to a year) the Dept of Consumer Protection (DCP) was taking 30 days or more to process an application, which was occurring during the patients’ 1-year timeline, without compensation.
This breaks down to about $8.33 per month for dispensary access based on the state’s MMJ card fee of $100. This equals $169,173.97 taken from patients that year by taking a month away from each patient. When patients complained, the response from the DCP was “Call your representatives.”
Ummm… That’s theft. 169 counts of grand larceny to be exact. In spite of that, you got the money from sick people and nothing bad happened. It all just kept moving along.
This Department was established to ensure a fair marketplace along with safe products and services for consumers. Who protects the consumers from them?
Next…
Then earlier this year they thought it would be a clever idea to raise the mold levels in the cannabis that is purchased by sick people. And they did it with a unanimous vote. Special thanks to our lost shore bird. (Commissioner Michelle H. Seagull) Good Job!
Candelora has also stated that medical marijuana operators are starting to sell out.
Starting? Where the hell have you been?!?
All but 2 have sold out and it seems that they couldn’t sell quick enough. Now the patient base has nothing to choose from but another McDonald’s. But hey, they all serve the same burger. Again, great job CT.
Then the last bit of insanity I read before ending the agony of reading this article was “I think where the bill attempted to create this equity market, where you have mom and pop people in the industries, we’re just seeing the same pattern, like in every other state, these big companies come in with the money and finance the whole project.”
The Mom and Pops never had a chance here. EVER. You guys wouldn’t/won’t allow it. In addition, the state’s view of an equity program is exactly what Candelora stated. There was no hope for someone to do it on their own unless they had millions stashed away in the bank. That’s how CT likes it. CT just wants the money so it can drop into the blackhole called a general fund, which has almost no accountability.
State officials announced in Illinois that they had created a pool of $8.75 million for loans to companies holding social equity licenses to operate cannabis businesses. Why didn’t CT do that if they desired true equity? It’s because they didn’t. They just wanted the money and obviously more franchises.
Candelora also stated “I think it’s a hot mess.” when referring to legalization in CT. What do you mean? Everything is fine over here. The people are great and down here with the rest of us bottom feeders the culture is wonderful too.
The system is working exactly as the state planned, just as they envisioned. It had to be, they insisted.
Now people have WAY more options and they will be voting with their dollars. Keep in mind that they will continue to do so.
I think ultimately it became apparent after a couple changes in law that they didn’t want this anymore. There are better people and products out in the universe. But I get it, Candelora was a hater to begin with considering he opposed the legalization of recreational cannabis from the start.
PS
Dear CT,
It’s weed. Not platinum. Please act accordingly.
$3 million for a permit? It’s $1,500 to brew beer and have a pub. Again, just saying…
Opinions expressed are those of the author. They do not reflect the views of Dabbin-Dad.com
