Several Connecticut cannabis farmers filed a federal lawsuit Tuesday, saying they said they said they violated the 2018 Farm Act by limiting marijuana-derived THC products.
The lawsuit filed in the U.S. District Court claims a series of laws first passed in 2023, reclassifying many marijuana products into cannabis has caused the state’s licensed marijuana business to plummet by nearly 80%.
The lawsuit lists Attorney General William Tong and Consumer Protection Commissioner Bryan Cafferelli as defendants.
Under the Farm Act, dry weight cannabis content does not exceed 0.3% Delta-9 THC is classified as cannabis and is therefore federally legal.
Connecticut received federal approval for the cannabis program in December 2021 using the definition.
But starting in 2023, the state has passed new laws that lower THC restrictions, which reclassifies many cannabis products as cannabis.
Under new laws that come into effect on October 1, no more than:
- 1 mg per serving THC.
- No more than 0.5 mg THC.
“These legislative changes in Connecticut directly conflict with approved cannabis plans and make farmers’ permits essentially useless,” Genevieve Park Taylor, the plaintiff’s attorney, told Hartford Business Journal.
There is a real direct harm to these farmers and we are just trying to help them restore the rights that cannabis issued by these countries gives them. ”
Plaintiffs, farmers Michael Goodenough, Darren Cugno, Norman Plude and Wells Farming, and Hemp Processor Ricardo Sotil, are seeking a declarative judgment that requires Connecticut to follow the federal definition of marijuana.
They also want ban relief to prevent state interference with federally consistent cannabis operations.
Sothier claimed he invested more than $1 million in equipment before Connecticut implemented the change, while Prude lowered the cannabis operation from nine acres to 400 square feet.
Several Connecticut retailers filed similar lawsuits in December alleging that the new law violates federal law that stipulates the amount of THC allowed in cannabis products.
