General Law Committee
JOINT FAVORABLE REPORT
Bill No.: HB-5313
Title: AN ACT CONCERNING REVISIONS TO MEDICAL CANNABIS STATUTES.
Vote Date: 3/9/2021
Vote Action: Joint Favorable Substitute
PH Date: 2/2/2021
File No.: 101
Disclaimer: The following JOINT FAVORABLE Report is prepared for the benefit of the
members of the General Assembly, solely for purposes of information, summarization and
explanation and does not represent the intent of the General Assembly or either chamber
thereof for any purpose.
SPONSORS OF BILL:
General Law
REASONS FOR THE BILL:
Make various changes to the medical marijuana laws including giving patients and primary
caregivers the ability to purchase marijuana at dispensaries other than their pre-selected
location. Require dispensaries to integrate records thru the electronic Prescription Drug
Monitoring Program transmitting dispensing information immediately or within one hour to
prevent improper or illegal drug use or prescribing. To eliminate the fees for renewing patient
or caregiver registration and administrative costs for renewing registrations.
JFS LANGUAGE:
Removes administrative and renewal fees for registration but leaves the initial registration fee
and amends existing statue.
Changes effective dates to January 1, 2022 for section 2.
Requires dispensaries to integrate their records by January 2, 2022. Requires dispensaries
to update transactions not less than an hour after and adds enforcement provisions for
dispensaries that don't comply.
RESPONSE FROM ADMINISTRATION/AGENCY:
None
NATURE AND SOURCES OF SUPPORT:
Jason P. Prevelige, Chair Legislative Affairs, Connecticut Academy of Physician
Assistants supports the bill. We appreciate the bill but respectfully ask that (P.A.) physicians
assistants be included in the ability to certify eligibility for the medical cannabis program.
P.A.'s are able to certify medical marijuana in New York, Rhode Island, Massachusetts New
Hampshire and Vermont. Please help improve the access to care that our patients deserve.
DeVauhn Ward, Marijuana Policy Project supports the bill. In its seventh year it is time to
revise the statues. Section 2 allows two primary caregivers for each patient but we would like
to see institutional caregivers as well. Section 3 eliminates the fees and with the pandemic
this can mean the difference between paying bills and medicine. We do not take a position
on section 5 of the bill.
Connecticut Medical Cannabis Council testified in favor of the bill. There has been an
increase of 24% in the last year and we wish to retain the reputation as the best medical
marijuana program in the nation. This bill makes enhancements to the program by allowing
patients to have more flexibility and reduce costs. We do have some concerns with section 5
because it is unclear and may result in unintended consequences.
Academy of Medical Marijuana Dispensaries provided testimony on the bill. The bill
makes needed revisions to the medical marijuana statues. Elimination of the application and
annual administration fee puts this in line with other medical treatment or therapies that
requires no fees. Section 5 does not make clear what the goal is and may be redundant of
existing regulations.
Fine Fettle Dispensary supports the bill. The update further enhance the program. As a
locally owned and operated dispensary organization minority managers in all three of our
dispensaries we reach our patients in their native languages. The one dispensary rule
inhibits our patients and is no longer necessary. May we suggest that we add a small tax for
out of state patients to offset the revenue loss from the reduced fees.
Brian Essenter, Medical Marijuana Counselor/Pharmacist supports the bill. Section 1
would only pertain to dispensaries that have more than one location. Why not allow patients
to transfer and require all dispensaries to up load at real time. This could cause logical
issues. Section 5 does not give a definition and is vague.
Steve Jones submitted testimony is support of the bill.
NATURE AND SOURCES OF OPPOSITION:
None
Reported by: Pamela Bianca Date: March 15, 2021
Page 2 of 2 HB-5313


Statutes affected:
Raised Bill:
GL Joint Favorable Substitute:
File No. 101: