Connecticut Liquor Stores Utilize Legal Loophole to Sell THC-Infused Beverages

LOS ANGELES- In a surprising turn of events, Connecticut liquor stores have begun selling THC-infused seltzers by leveraging a legal loophole in the state’s cannabis laws. This development, as reported by CT Insider, involves adjusting the serving sizes of these beverages to comply with THC content limits for non-licensed sales.

The loophole comes into play under the current Connecticut state law, which legalized cannabis in 2021 and subsequently allowed its sale to adults from January 2023. According to the law, cannabis consumables, including flower products, concentrates, and infused edibles and beverages, are typically only sold through state-licensed dispensaries. However, the emergence of THC-infused seltzer products in liquor stores and convenience markets represents a novel interpretation of the law.

As clarified by a spokesperson from the Connecticut Department of Consumer Protection, any package containing less than 1 milligram of THC per serving and less than 5 milligrams per package is not classified as cannabis. Consequently, such products can be produced and sold without a cannabis license. Seizing this opportunity, some manufacturers are ingeniously labeling their products, which usually contain fewer than five milligrams of THC overall, as having more than five servings. This labeling applies regardless of the product’s volume, which typically ranges from 7.5 to 12 ounces.

This clever exploitation of the legal framework has prompted a response from state legislators. State Representative Michael D’Agostino (D) revealed plans to amend the law by reducing the THC limit for retail products sold without a cannabis license to 0.5 milligrams per container. Rep. D’Agostino acknowledged the dynamic nature of the cannabis industry, stating, “This is constantly evolving, and we realized as a committee that we’ve got to get further ahead of this so that’s why this session we’re going to be changing that definition to make it even just a more bright line rule.”

The issue of THC-infused beverages in non-licensed stores is part of a broader context in Connecticut’s evolving cannabis landscape. Recently, the state regulators increased the cannabis purchasing limits, doubling the amount from 7 to 14 grams per transaction. As the state continues to navigate the complexities of cannabis regulation, this loophole and the legislative response highlight the ongoing challenges in defining and enforcing cannabis laws in a rapidly changing market.