Several of our support group parents have been concerned about THC sales in New Canaan post the legalization of the retail sale of marijuana on July 1, 2021. While cannabis dispensaries have indeed been banned locally in New Canaan, two retail stores have been unethically selling THC gummy bears. Why? A legal loophole.
The RERACA Act, which legalized the retail sale of marijuana, specifically states on p. 222 that THC products with more than 0.3% THC by dry weight are prohibited unless through state-licensed cannabis establishments. While this “dry weight” restriction on the surface would seem adequate, for edibles weight is an inappropriate measure. The proper measurement to use is mg/unit and anything at 5mg/unit of THC or higher is impairing. In one lab report from a New Canaan retailer, it’s clear that an impairing dose of 10mg is contained in each Delta-9 gummy bear product yet by dry weight each gummy has less than 0.3% THC.
What recourse do New Canaan concerned citizens have of this unethical selling of THC edibles while promoting “healthy” CBD products? There are two options: 1) The ideal solution is to ask our state legislators in the CT General Assembly to issue a correction bill to the RERACA Act that closes the loophole for edibles. This may take a long time. 2) We can alternatively ask our Town Council to ban all retail stores from selling THC edible products (including Delta-7 to Delta-10 and a new high-potency product called Delta-0).
The good news is that we don’t have to sit by and watch. We can advocate!