Connecticut is home to Yale University, stunning fall foliage and charming small towns, and it’s also home to safe and fully legal access to hemp-derived CBD.
Connecticut is one of the states where CBD is legal for all purposes.
In May 2019, the Connecticut legislature legalized the retail sale of hemp-derived CBD and CBD products. Under Public Act 19-3, CBD with a THC content of less than 0.3% is not considered a controlled substance. Products containing CBD that are intended for consumption fall under the state’s food regulations.
CBD Laws in Connecticut: What You Need to Know
Several laws are key to the legal status of CBD in Connecticut: Public Act 15-202, Senate Bill 603, and Public Act 19-3.
PA 15-202 (also known as House Bill 5780) was signed into law by the Connecticut State Legislature in 2015. This bill states that:
- Industrial hemp is distinct from marijuana and cannabis-type substances – According to PA 15-202, hemp and its related products do not fall under the definition of marijuana or cannabis-related substances.
- Industrial hemp is not a controlled substance – Hemp and hemp-derived products are therefore legal to grow, purchase, and use in the state of Connecticut.
Senate Bill 603 was passed in 2017 and established the state’s pilot program for growing, manufacturing and marketing industrial hemp:
- Oversight by the Dept. of Agriculture – Planning and oversight of the industrial hemp pilot program was put under the authority of the state’s Department of Agriculture.
- Definition of industrial hemp – Any part of the cannabis plant containing less than 0.3% THC is considered to be industrial hemp.
Public Act 19-3 (or Senate Bill 893) was signed into law in 2019. It concerned the creation of regulations around industrial hemp production in the state. The bill establishes:
- Regulations for hemp growers and processors – Those who wish to grow hemp and manufacture hemp-derived products like CBD must be licensed by the Connecticut Department of Agriculture. The Department of Agriculture sets licensing requirements, qualifications and fees for growers.
- Regulations for hemp manufacturers – The bill recognizes a distinction between growing and processing hemp and manufacturing consumable CBD products. Manufacturers are considered to be creating a food product and are required to be licensed by the Connecticut Department of Consumer Protection.
- Testing and inspection requirements – Hemp growers and processors must comply with state testing and inspection regulations. Manufacturers must meet independent testing requirements. All hemp products are required to comply with state and federal regulations.
Is CBD Legal in Connecticut?
Hemp-derived CBD is legal in most states in the US, including Connecticut. However, the legal status of CBD can be confusing, as there are different types of CBD products on the market that come from different sources and contain varying levels of active compounds like THC.
In Connecticut, industrial hemp-derived CBD products are legal for both medical and recreational use. In addition, recreational cannabis was legalized in 2021. Adults over 21 can legally possess up to 1.5 ounces of cannabis.
All in all, this means that residents of Connecticut have a wide range of legal CBD products to choose from. But be sure to check the labels of any CBD product before purchasing, as some products may contain trace amounts of THC.
Can I Buy CBD in Connecticut?
Connecticut is one of the states where CBD is legal for all purposes. There are no restrictions on buying or using CBD products in Connecticut. This means that you can purchase and use CBD products without a prescription, medical card or license.
Can I Buy CBD Online?
Yes, you can buy CBD online in Connecticut. The law states that CBD purchased in Connecticut does not have to be manufactured in the state. Any website that sells CBD products should ship to Connecticut, but will probably require you to be over 18.
However, be sure that the website you purchase from is reputable and sells high-quality CBD products.
Some things to look for when choosing an online CBD retailer:
- Third-party lab testing – Purchase only from websites that guarantee that their products are independently lab tested.
- Certificate of analysis – The certificate of analysis (COA) should be readily available to view on the website.
- Labeling accuracy – Research published by the Journal of the American Medical Association has found that nearly 70% of CBD products are inaccurately labeled. To be sure your product contains exactly what it claims, buy only from manufacturers that guarantee the accuracy of their label, like Zebra CBD.
Can I Buy CBD at a Dispensary?
Yes, you can buy CBD at a dispensary in Connecticut, and at other stores like pharmacies and grocery stores. However, you may not find as wide of a variety of CBD products as you can choose from online.
Legal Status of CBD in Connecticut
CBD is legal in Connecticut for all purposes, and there are no restrictions or possession limits for purchasing or using CBD products in the state. All CBD products must be labeled with their THC content and other required information, and some localities within Connecticut may have their own regulations regarding CBD.
So, if you’re a Connecticut resident, breathe easy: the legal status of CBD in Connecticut is unambiguous. Feel free to purchase and use CBD products as long as they contain less than 0.3% THC.
Legal Disclaimer
The information contained above is provided for educational and informational purposes only, and should not be construed as legal advice. The provided information may not reflect current legal developments or information, and is not guaranteed to be correct, complete or current. We recommend checking our source(s) to see if the information or legal status have been revised since our content was published.
FAQ
1. Is CBD legal in Connecticut?
Yes, CBD is completely legal in Connecticut, provided it is hemp-derived and contains less than 0.3% THC, the amount determined to cause psychoactive effects.
2. How old do you have to be to buy CBD in Connecticut?
There is no law on the books in Connecticut that sets a legal age limit for purchasing CBD. Since a legal age hasn’t been set statewide, different jurisdictions in Connecticut may have their own rules. Sellers may choose not to sell to you if you’re under 21.
3. Can I sell CBD products in Connecticut?
You can sell hemp-derived CBD products in Connecticut, and you don’t need a license to do so as long as you are not processing hemp into CBD. If you wish to grow hemp and process it into CBD products, you will need a license from the Department of Consumer Protection.
Sources:
Connecticut Office of Legislative Research. State Laws on Retail CBD Sales. https://www.cga.ct.gov/2019/rpt/pdf/2019-R-0186.pdf
Connecticut Department of Consumer Protection. Hemp Manufacturing in Connecticut: Frequently Asked Questions. https://portal.ct.gov/-/media/DCP/Hemp/CBD-HempFAQs_DCP.pdf
Connecticut State Legislature. Public Act No. 15-202. https://www.cga.ct.gov/2015/ACT/PA/2015PA-00202-R00HB-05780-PA.htm
Connecticut State Legislature. Senate Bill 1201. https://www.cga.ct.gov/2021/tob/s/pdf/2021sb-01201-r00-sb.pdf
Connecticut State Legislature. Senate Bill 603. https://www.cga.ct.gov/2017/FC/2017SB-00603-R000268-FC.htm
Connecticut State Legislature. Public Act No. 19-3. https://www.cga.ct.gov/2019/ACT/pa/pdf/2019PA-00003-R00SB-00893-PA.pdf
Journal of the American Medical Association. Labeling accuracy of cannabidiol extracts sold online. https://jamanetwork.com/journals/jama/fullarticle/2661569
