MJBizMag March 2023 - 20

INDUSTRY DEVELOPMENTS State by State
California
Historic storms pummeled California in January, causing widespread issues for cannabis operators
across the state, including operational and supply disruptions.
More than 34 million California residents were under a flood watch as days of high winds and
catastrophic rains battered the coast. Some marijuana companies temporarily closed operations and
shored up their facilities in an attempt to lessen the damage.
Several businesses told MJBizDaily their operations flooded, while others reported product losses.
Widespread power outages halted production lines, shut down freezers and left plants vulnerable to
mold and other contaminants.
Road closures and dangerous conditions prevented some operators from accessing their facilities,
which could lead to delays in production and marijuana supply-chain disruptions.
Connecticut
Recreational marijuana sales kicked off Jan. 10 at seven Connecticut medical marijuana dispensaries
licensed to transition to adult use.
Strong consumer demand, limited product availability and the debut of gummies highlighted the
first week of recreational sales.
To handle the increased business and avoid bottlenecks, retailers added staff and registers, brought
in employees from other adult-use markets, pushed online transactions and fulfilled orders outside for
consumers waiting in line.
Despite several significant retail restrictions-including quarter-ounce purchase limits for flower,
curbs on the use of some strain names and bans on certain product categories-Connecticut's
Department of Consumer Protection reported that adult-use sales surpassed $251,000 during the first
seven hours of business.
Recreational sales in Connecticut are expected to reach $300 million-$375 million this year as more
cultivators, manufacturers and retailers come online and will increase to $650 million-$800 million by
2026, according to the 2022 MJBiz Factbook.
Delaware
Two bills introduced in the state House of Representatives would set up another likely confrontation
with Gov. John Carney, an outspoken Democratic marijuana opponent who vetoed earlier legalization
attempts. Delaware's House speaker, Democrat Pete Schwartzkopf, also has opposed legalization
efforts.
House Bill 1 would remove all penalties for possessing 1 ounce or less of marijuana for those 21 and
older. HB 2 would establish a regulatory framework to possess, grow and sell cannabis and would
require a super majority for passage, since it deals with taxation.
A spokesperson for the governor said his views on marijuana legalization have not changed.
Florida
Multistate operator Trulieve Cannabis contributed another $5 million in late 2022 toward a 2024 ballot
initiative that would legalize adult-use marijuana in the state.
The company, which enjoys a commanding presence in Florida's MMJ industry, has now contributed
$20 million toward the Smart & Safe Florida legalization campaign, according to The News Service
of Florida.
The company is one of three contributors, according to financial records, but nearly all the cash
behind the ballot initiative push is coming from Trulieve, which helped write the proposal.
20 March 2023 | MJBizMagazine

https://portal.ct.gov/DCP/News-Releases-from-the-Department-of-Consumer-Protection/2023-News-Releases/Consumer-Protection-Provides-Update-on-Opening-Day-of-Adult-Use-Cannabis-Market https://insights.mjbizdaily.com/factbook-2022/ https://mjbizdaily.com/a-look-at-trulieves-dominant-presence-in-florida-medical-marijuana-market/ https://mjbizdaily.com/trulieve-throws-its-weight-behind-adult-use-marijuana-legalization-in-florida/

MJBizMag March 2023

Table of Contents for the Digital Edition of MJBizMag March 2023