Connecticut Lawmakers Decide to Keep THC Caps on Cannabis Flower
- Connecticut lawmakers are reversing their plan to eliminate THC caps on cannabis flower and concentrates after concerns about increased potency.
- The initial bill approved by the House and narrowly passed by the Senate sought to remove THC caps on flower and oils and raise the THC limit in infused beverages from 3 mg to 5 mg.
- A follow-up compromise bill will restore the current THC caps of 35% for cannabis flower and 70% for concentrates to address public and political apprehension.
- The legislation also aims to modernize the cannabis industry by allowing infused coffee and teas and permitting out-of-state medical cannabis patients to access licensed facilities.
Connecticut lawmakers are walking back their plan to eliminate the state’s THC cap on cannabis flower and concentrates, CT Insider reports.
House lawmakers approved a bill last month containing language to eliminate the THC caps on cannabis flower and oils and increase the THC cap for infused beverages sold in package stores from 3 milligrams to 5 milligrams. And while the Senate approved that proposal 18-17 late Thursday evening, party leaders have put together a follow-up compromise bill that will reestablish the caps on flower and concentrates.
“We’re trying to understand and reflect the concerns that we heard from folks who thought we were moving too quickly in that space. They were not comfortable moving forward with increased potency of cannabis flower itself and we felt that since folks are willing to engage in a number of other movements that were pro-business, that we could wait and better prove the efficacy of that in the future.” — State Rep. Roland Lemar (D), via CT Insider
Lawmakers said the proposal aims to modernize the state’s cannabis industry. Other provisions include allowing infused coffee and teas and letting out-of-state cannabis patients access licensed medical facilities.
Under the current rules, which are set to be restored with the compromise legislation, THC content in cannabis flower products is capped at 35% while concentrates are capped at 70% THC.
Cannabis flower testing at over 30% is required to carry a “high potency” label.