Picture this: Connecticut lawmakers, in a haze of bureaucracy, are about to redefine the buzzwords of the cannabis world. Enter hemp, the underdog, quietly producing CBD without triggering a state crackdown. But wait, what’s this? When processed, hemp can sneak in some THC, and suddenly, our mild-mannered hero turns into a potential troublemaker.
Connecticut’s new hemp and cannabis law is rolling out a red carpet for what they’re calling “moderate-THC hemp products.” What?!? Think of it as hemp with a little kick, sporting THC levels between half a milligram and 5 milligrams. As of January 1, these moderately intoxicating products need to find a new home—licensed cannabis companies… Those blessed by the almighty Department of Consumer Protection.
If it’s hemp-derived THC, the legislature says it needs to be segregated and regulated.” Translation: Connecticut is playing chaperone at the hemp prom, making sure no one gets too high without proper supervision.
And no one’s lighting up a celebratory joint. Last month, smoke shop owners across the state filed a federal lawsuit against Attorney General Jedi Tong. Their beef? Connecticut’s redefinition of hemp statutes is allegedly at odds with the 2018 federal legalization of hemp. It’s like a stoner showdown, with state and federal laws colliding over who gets to call the shots on hemp’s psychoactive potentials. FYI, federal law trumps ANY local custom.
So, what does this mean for the good citizens of Connecticut? More hoops to jump through, more licenses to acquire, and a whole lot of legal smoke and mirrors. As the new year dawns, Connecticut is drawing a line in the sand—or perhaps a puff in the air—between harmless CBD and its sneaky THC-infused cousin.
In the end, Connecticut’s lawmakers are setting the stage for a regulatory reefer madness, where hemp’s intoxicating secrets are kept under lock and key. As we step into 2024, one thing’s for sure: the state’s hemp game just got a whole lot more interesting, and the only thing higher than the THC content might be the legal stakes.
Keep it Weird,
