Yes. There are cannabis dispensaries in Meriden. Although recreational cannabis sales only began in Connecticut in early 2023, the only dispensary in the city already sells recreational cannabis to adults of legal age.
Yes. The City of Meriden is home to some of the Connecticut-licensed medical marijuana dispensaries. Following the legalization of medical cannabis sales through House Bill 5389 in 2012, Connecticut cities were authorized to allow the establishment of medical marijuana dispensaries.
Dispensaries in Meriden offer patients the ability to shop online and pick up their orders curbside or inside the dispensary. Patients can also shop in-store, but the dispensary currently does not offer the option to deliver cannabis orders to buyers’ addresses.
Dispensaries in Meriden recently added a recreational cannabis menu to its product offerings, allowing visitors to purchase both medical and recreational cannabis products. You can find a wide variety of cannabis strains in a range of Sativa, Indica, and hybrid options. Also, you should expect only to find high-quality products as testing is imperative for the products sold in the store. Lab test results include information on ingredient analysis, mycotoxin analysis, heavy metal analysis, microbiological contaminant analysis, and pesticide chemical residue analysis.
However, before you may be allowed inside the dispensary, you must present a government-issued ID to prove you are of legal age (21+) to buy adult-use cannabis or a Connecticut medical marijuana card to buy medical cannabis. When you get in, you will find cannabis advisors who are employees of the dispensary with sufficient knowledge to respond to your cannabis questions. These advisors can help you find the best products and strains for your needs.
Note that in compliance with state law, there are restrictions on how much cannabis you can buy in order to maintain the possession limits under the Connecticut medical and recreational cannabis laws.
Although there are currently no specific provisions in the Meriden Code of Ordinance, dispensaries in the city are required to operate pursuant to state laws. Some of these laws include the following:
The Responsible and Equitable Regulations of Adult-Use Cannabis Act (RERACA) legalized medical cannabis in Meriden. According to the RERACA:
HB 5389, approved in 2012, makes it legal for qualifying patients to use medical marijuana to treat their conditions. Per HB 5389:
If you are a Meriden resident with a qualifying medical condition, you can obtain a medical marijuana card. Unlike persons aged 18 or older who only need one medical cannabis certification, you will need two certified physicians to confirm your eligibility to use medical marijuana if you are a minor. These physicians must include your primary care provider and a specialist in the medical field related to your medical condition.
To start the application process, create an account on the state Department of Administrative Services (DAS) Business Network and log in to the registration portal. On the application page on the registration portal, submit proof of identity, proof of Meriden residency, and a $100 application fee.
Once the Department of Consumer Protection reviews your application and determines that you are eligible for a Connecticut medical marijuana card, you will be issued a medical marijuana card within 6 weeks. For further details on obtaining a medical marijuana card, call the state Medical Marijuana Program at (860) 713-6066 or see the Patient Reference Card Guide on the Connecticut medical marijuana program website.
You may legally use cannabis on private property but not in public locations in Meriden.
You can buy cannabis at a Meriden Dispensary if you have:
Three and one-half grams of flower sell for about $45, pre-rolls sell for about $30, while a gram of cannabis concentrates may be sold for $70.
In Connecticut, including in Meriden, cannabis strains are given pharmaceutical-style names in compliance with state laws. This may be confusing for persons used to more familiar names for strains, such as Granddaddy Purple, Wedding Cake, and OG Kush. However, to find a particular strain at a dispensary, you may speak with the cannabis advisors at the retail store. Advisors are expert guides on the strain types and can help you find what you need.
It is illegal to smoke cannabis in public places in Meriden.
Adults aged 21 or older in Meriden are allowed to carry up to 1.5 ounces of cannabis on their person and store up to 5 ounces in secure containers in the locked compartments of their cars. Medical marijuana patients in Meriden are allowed to possess up to 5 ounces of medical marijuana or higher amounts if authorized by their physicians.
It is illegal to bring cannabis from another state into Meriden, and doing so could result in severe legal consequences. However, if you are a Connecticut resident, you may transport cannabis from a location within the state into Meriden as long as it is kept in a locked container in the trunk of your car and is not easily accessible to the driver or passengers.
You can order cannabis online in Meriden. However, you must arrange for a curbside or in-store pickup.
There are no 24-hour dispensaries in Meriden.
Tourists may use the dispensary in Meriden if they plan to purchase adult-use cannabis and have proof of legal age (21+).
To gain access to a Meriden medical marijuana dispensary, you must present a government-issued ID and a valid Connecticut state medical marijuana card. On the other hand, recreational cannabis may only be purchased by those 21 years of age or older with a government-issued ID as proof of age.
Zen Leaf, formerly known as Willow Brook Wellness Dispensary, is the only dispensary in Meriden.
Yes. Expect to have your ID scanned when visiting the dispensary in Meriden.
Two dispensaries exist in Meriden.
Credit cards are not accepted at the dispensary in Meriden.
You can visit multiple cannabis retailers in a single day.
Health insurance is not accepted at the dispensary in the city.
Yes, cannabis purchases are tracked at the dispensaries in the city.
You may enter the dispensaries in Meriden at 18 if you plan to purchase medical cannabis. To buy recreational cannabis, you must be at least aged 21.
The state Department of Consumer Protection regulates cannabis activities in the City of Meriden. Use the information below to contact the department:
Department of Consumer Protection
450 Columbus Boulevard, Suite 901
Hartford, CT 06103-1840
Phone: (860) 713-6100
You may report illicit cannabis operations in Meriden by registering a complaint with the Connecticut Department of Consumer Protection using any of the options available on the Complaint Center page of the department’s website. Alternatively, you may also contact the Meriden Police Department by calling (203) 238-1911.