General Law Committee
JOINT FAVORABLE REPORT
Bill No.: HB-6099
AN ACT CONCERNING ANTITRUST ISSUES AND THE PALLIATIVE USE OF
Title: MARIJUANA.
Vote Date: 3/9/2021
Vote Action: Joint Favorable Substitute
PH Date: 2/25/2021
File No.: 102
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 Committee
REASONS FOR BILL:
To require proposed changes in ownership of medical marijuana licensing by the Department
of Consumer Protection to be reviewed by the Office of the Attorney General.
JFS LANGUAGE:
Makes technical changes throughout, in section 1 makes terminology consistent to use
"transaction" changes reference to Freedom of Information Act pursuant to standard drafting
conventions.
Section 5, changes references to consistent use of "marijuana producers", clarifies that such
producers are licensed under any provisions of the general statues, adds subsection
designators.
RESPONSE FROM ADMINISTRATION/AGENCY:
Michelle Seagull, Commissioner, Department of Consumer Protection submitted
testimony. Section 1 would create a process by which any proposed changes in ownership
would be reviewed by the Office of the Attorney General. The requirements for notice and an
opportunity for review are consistent to federal antitrust laws for large mergers and
acquisitions.
William Tong, Attorney General, State of Connecticut supports the bill. The bill increases
transparency in the medical marijuana market. It will require this office to develop the form
and content of the required notice or changes to ownership of a dispensary.
NATURE AND SOURCES OF SUPPORT:
Kelly McConney Moore, American Civil Liberties Union of Connecticut testified in
support of the bill. The bill gives the Attorney General the power to prevent monopolized
ownership of the medical marijuana business. Being locked out of participation of the
medical marijuana industry is one of the more than 550 legal barriers a person with a criminal
record faces. This bill is designed to prevent monopolies from forming in this industry and
would provide participation by communities and people targeted by biased enforcement of
marijuana laws.
NATURE AND SOURCES OF OPPOSITION:
Ben Zachs, Fine Fettle testified in opposition of the bill. The bill currently as written is overly
intrusive and potentially limiting to the industry. The current system ensures that all
"Backers" owners above 5% are subjected to review. This review is fair and there is
transparency for both DCP and patients to understand who owns and operates the business.
Academy of Medical Marijuana Dispensaries testified in opposition of the bill. The bill
presents an unnecessary intrusion into the business. The bill threatens to impede the natural
development of an industry that is already highly regulated. There are already safeguards
protecting against abuse of current changes of ownership by the Department of Consumer
Protection and Drug Control.
Linda Kowalski, Connecticut Medical Cannabis Council submitted testimony against the
bill. Connecticut presently has the best program in the nation. We have a number of
questions about the unintended consequences of this bill. The bill lacks clarity in key
respects and important aspects of the bill are vague.
Reported by: Pamela Bianca March 17, 2021
Page 2 of 2 HB-6099


Statutes affected:
Raised Bill: 22-61l
GL Joint Favorable Substitute: 22-61l
File No. 102: 22-61l
ENV Joint Favorable: 22-61l