Connecticut Bill to Require Full Minimum Wage for Marijuana Workers Scheduled for March 3 Public Hearing
- The Connecticut Senate Bill 352 aims to require marijuana industry employees to receive the full state minimum wage without counting tips toward their base pay.
- The bill prohibits cannabis businesses from using gratuities to offset hourly wages for workers at cannabis establishments, dispensaries, or producer locations.
- Violating the law by paying less than the minimum wage, excluding tips, would be illegal under the proposed amendment to Connecticut’s statutes, effective October 1, 2026.
- A public hearing on March 3 in the House Labor and Public Employees Committee will allow stakeholders to provide input before the bill potentially advances to the full legislature.
A Connecticut bill that would require marijuana industry employees to receive the full state minimum wage, without counting tips toward their base pay, is set to receive a public hearing on March 3 in the House Labor and Public Employees Committee. Senate Bill 352, titled An Act Concerning The Minimum Fair Wage And Persons Employed At Cannabis Establishments, was introduced by the Labor and Public Employees Committee. The proposal would prohibit marijuana businesses from using gratuities to offset hourly wages for employees working at cannabis establishments, dispensary facilities or producer locations.
Specifically, the measure states that “in no event shall the Labor Commissioner recognize, as part of the minimum fair wage, gratuities for persons employed at a cannabis establishment, dispensary facility or producer.” In other words, tips could not be counted toward meeting the state’s minimum wage requirement.
Under the legislation, any marijuana business that pays or agrees to pay less than the minimum fair wage would be in violation of Connecticut law. The bill would amend Section 21a-421d of the state’s general statutes and, if approved, would take effect October 1, 2026.
The March 3 public hearing will give lawmakers, industry representatives, workers and members of the public an opportunity to weigh in before the committee decides whether to advance the measure to the full legislature.