Connecticut Committee Unanimously Advances Bill Revising Marijuana Testing, Delivery and Pharmacist Rules
- The Connecticut Legislature’s Joint Committee on General Law unanimously advanced Senate Bill 231, which proposes comprehensive changes to the state's marijuana laws, including testing, delivery, and pharmacist staffing regulations.
- The bill mandates cannabis establishments to submit samples for testing to licensed labs, with failed batches subject to retesting or disposal following a remediation plan approved by the Department of Consumer Protection.
- Delivery rules are expanded to allow dispensaries, hybrid retailers, and micro-cultivators, along with their employees, to deliver marijuana products to qualifying patients, caregivers, and research subjects.
- Pharmacist staffing standards are updated, requiring licensed pharmacists to be physically present at hybrid retailers and dispensaries for at least eight hours weekly, with provisions for telehealth consultations and remote dispensing supported by employed pharmacists working at least 20 hours weekly.
The Connecticut Legislature’s Joint Committee on General Law voted 20 to 0 yesterday to advance a wide-ranging bill that would make several changes to the state’s marijuana laws, including new testing requirements, updated delivery rules and revised pharmacist staffing standards for certain licensed businesses. Senate Bill 231 received approval yesterday, March 11, moving the measure forward with unanimous support. The bill was originally introduced in February and is titled An Act Concerning The Department of Consumer Protection’s Recommendations Regarding Cannabis Regulation And Electronic Nicotine Delivery System Dealer Registration.
The measure would require cannabis establishments to submit cannabis and marijuana samples to licensed testing laboratories in accordance with standards set by the Commissioner of Consumer Protection. If a sample fails testing, businesses would generally have 30 days to either repeat the testing on the batch or submit a remediation plan for approval and then retest. If follow-up testing still fails, the batch would need to be disposed of under department procedures.
The bill would also expand and clarify who may legally deliver marijuana in Connecticut. In addition to delivery services and their employees, the proposal would allow dispensary facilities and hybrid retailers, along with certain employees, to deliver marijuana to qualifying patients, caregivers or research program subjects. Micro-cultivators would also be allowed to deliver seedlings or marijuana in accordance with existing law.
Another major provision would update pharmacist-related rules for hybrid retailers and dispensary facilities. The legislation would require a licensed pharmacist to be physically present for at least eight consecutive hours each calendar week, while also allowing telehealth consultations and remote dispensing when a pharmacist is not physically on site. Businesses offering telehealth consultations would need to employ a pharmacist for at least 20 hours per week and maintain the technology needed to make those consultations accessible.
The proposal also includes broader regulatory and technical changes tied to cannabis oversight, as well as provisions involving electronic nicotine delivery system dealer registrations.