Conn. DCP announces application dates, license numbers for adult-use cannabis businesses

Good news! Just yesterday, the Connecticut Department of Consumer Protection announced that it would begin accepting applications for adult-use licenses early next month. The first application period for each license type will open for a period of 90 days on the following dates:

• Disproportionately Impacted Area Cultivator: February 3, 2022 (non-lottery)
• Retailer: February 3, 2022
• Micro-cultivator: February 10, 2022
• Delivery Service: February 17, 2022
• Hybrid Retailer: February 24, 2022
• Food and Beverage: March 3, 2022
• Product Manufacturer: March 10, 2022  
• Product Packager: March 17, 2022 
• Transporter: March 24, 2022

The Department also announced the number of licenses it plans to issue in the first application round, which are listed below:

• Retailer: 6 general licenses, 6 social equity licenses
• Micro-cultivator: 2 general licenses, 2 social equity licenses
• Delivery Service: 5 general licenses, 5 social equity licenses
• Hybrid Retailer: 2 general licenses, 2 social equity licenses
• Food and Beverage: 5 general licenses, 5 social equity licenses
• Product Packager: 3 general licenses, 3 social equity licenses
• Product Manufacturer: 3 general licenses, 3 social equity licenses
• Transporter: 2 general licenses, 2 social equity licenses

DCP Commissioner Michelle Seagull said, “The initial number of available licenses is not a cap, but a starting point for opening the adult-use cannabis market in an effective, measured and thoughtful way.”

Although we're excited that Connecticut is moving forward with licensing adult-use businesses, we are concerned about the small number of initial licenses.

Low numbers of initial licenses limit competition, reduce opportunities for small- and minority-owned businesses, and privilege larger corporations at the expense of other applicants. Also, by stifling legal cannabis business with low license numbers, illegal operators will continue — exposing consumers to untested products and putting both sellers and buyers at risk of violence. The paltry number of licenses will also result in hundreds to thousands of applicants wasting time and hard-earned money applying, with the vast majority being denied.

Applications will be available here. Interested applicants can view a description of each license type to determine which is appropriate for their business.

As the adult-use market continues to roll out in Connecticut, we’ll continue to keep you updated on all the progress.