When recreational cannabis sales began in Connecticut in January 2023, there were nine retail shops; that number has more than doubled within a year. Sales of recreational cannabis tripled in that same time period, going from $5 million to $15 million. Business owners and dispensary chains are eager to open more recreational cannabis dispensaries and expand availability throughout the state, with new applications popping up in municipalities all the time. However, the process takes time as each city has its own rules and regulations to review the proposals.
The result has been a supply chain struggling to keep up with ever-expanding demand. Two new cultivation facilities have opened since the state legalized recreational cannabis, with more cannabis farms potentially on the way. Here is where to find the dispensaries licensed for recreational sales in the Nutmeg State.
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About: Affinity in New Haven is a licensed and professionally staffed medical marijuana dispensary that is open for recreational sales. According to the site, the dispensary has a pharmacist-led care team that can help answer questions and make suggestions based on particular needs. Those interested in buying recreational cannabis from Affinity can pre-order on its website.
Hours: Monday – Saturday: 9 a.m. – 8 p.m., Sunday: 10 a.m. – 6 p.m.
About: The Botanist Danbury had been licensed for recreational marijuana sales since January, and began selling adult-use at of the end of April.
Hours: Monday – Friday: 10 a.m. – 7 p.m., Saturday: 10 a.m. – 3 p.m. and Sunday: Closed
About: The Botanist Montville has been open for recreational sales since Jan. 10.
Hours: Monday – Friday: 10 a.m. – 7 p.m., Saturday: 10 a.m. – 6 p.m. and Sunday: Closed Hours listed are for recreational purchasing; medical use customers can shop at The Botanist an hour earlier than the opening times listed above.
About: BUDR-Danbury is part of a chain of Budr sites across Connecticut that either have opened or are hoping to open in the near future. Budr is the second recreational cannabis shop to open in Danbury, although the other store also serves as a medical dispensary. The store held its grand opening in October 2023.
Hours: Monday-Saturday 9 a.m. – 8 p.m., Sunday 9 a.m. – 3 p.m.
About: BUDR-West Hartford is part of a chain of Budr sites across Connecticut that either have opened or are hoping to open in the near future. Budr was the first recreational cannabis shop to open in West Hartford, a town that is allowing only two such shops to open. Shoppers can view Budr’s inventory online and purchase in-store or online. The store held its grand opening in July 2023.
Hours: Monday – Friday 9 a.m. – 8 p.m., Saturday 9 a.m.- 6 p.m., Sunday 9 a.m.- 4 p.m.
About: Curaleaf Groton added recreational sales to its suite of cannabis offerings on July 10. It was the third Connecticut Curaleaf location to do so.
Hours: Monday – Saturday: 9 a.m. – 8 p.m. and Sunday: 9 a.m. – 7 p.m.
About: Curaleaf began selling recreational cannabis on March 1, the second Curaleaf location to sell recreational-use cannabis in the state.
Hours: Monday-Saturday: 9 a.m.-8 p.m., Sunday: 9 a.m.-7 p.m.
About: Curaleaf-Manchester is part of a chain of Curaleaf businesses open or planning to open across Connecticut. This facility opened in Manchester as a medical dispensary in July 2023 and a month later opened its recreational cannabis portion.
Hours: Monday – Saturday 9 a.m. – 8 p.m., Sunday 10 a.m. – 6 p.m.
About: Curaleaf in Stamford has been open for recreational sales since Jan. 28. All orders for recreational cannabis must be placed online prior to pickup, per the dispensary website.
Hours: Monday – Saturday: 10 a.m. – 7:54 p.m., Sunday: 10 a.m. – 6:45 p.m.
About: Fine Fettle Manchester opened its fourth cannabis shop in Connecticut – the first solely dedicated to recreational sales – in February 2023. The shop was Connecticut’s first Equity Joint Venture program, meaning it was at least 50 percent owned by individuals who had an annual household income that is three times lower than the state’s median over the past three tax years and living in a “disproportionately impacted area” in recent years.
Customers can see available inventory on the website, choose a preferred time frame for pickup and head to the dispensary once they receive a “ready” text message. Walk-ins are also accepted at this location.
Hours: Hours: Monday-Saturday 9 a.m. – 8 p.m., Sunday 10 a.m. – 6 p.m.
About: Fine Fettle Newington is one of several of the company’s locations that sells recreationally and medically in Connecticut. Customers can see available inventory on the website, choose a preferred time frame for pickup and head to the dispensary once they receive a “ready” text message. Walk-ins are also accepted at this location.
Hours: Monday – Saturday 9 a.m. – 8 p.m., Sunday: 10 a.m. – 6 p.m.
About: The Norwalk location of Fine Fettle is a recreational-only facility that also delivers to customers in the surrounding town of Greenwich, Old Greenwich, Cos Cob, Stamford, New Canaan, Darien, Norwalk, Westport, Southport, Wilton, Weston and Fairfield. Customers can see available inventory on the website, choose a preferred time frame for pickup and head to the dispensary to pick up their order. The facility opened in March 2024.
Hours: Monday – Saturday 9 a.m.- 8 p.m., Sunday 10 a.m.- 6 p.m.
About: Fine Fettle Stamford is another Fine Fettle location that sells recreationally. Customers can see available inventory on the website, choose a preferred time frame for pickup and head to the dispensary once they receive a “ready” text message. Walk-ins are also accepted at this location.
Hours: Monday-Saturday 9 a.m. – 8 p.m., Sunday: 10 a.m. – 6 p.m.
About: Fine Fettle Willimantic is another one of the company’s locations that sells recreationally and medically. Customers can see available inventory on the website, choose a preferred time frame for pickup and head to the dispensary once they receive a “ready” text message. Walk-ins are also accepted at this location.
Hours: Monday – Saturday 9 a.m. – 8 p.m., Sunday: 10 a.m. – 6 p.m.
About: Higher Collective-Killingly opened its doors in October 2023 as the company has plans to open a few more shops around Connecticut. It is the first Higher Collective store to open in Connecticut.
Hours: Monday-Saturday 9 a.m. – 8 p.m., Sunday 10 a.m. – 5 p.m.
About: Higher Collective has plans to open multiple locations across Connecticut and Willington was set to become the second in October 2023.
Monday – Saturday 9 a.m. – 8 p.m., Sunday 10 a.m. – 5 p.m.
About: Rise dispensary (formerly Bluepoint Wellness of Connecticut) in Branford offers an online inventory of recreational cannabis products for consumers to peruse as well as home delivery. Its pharmacist-centered team is on site or available by phone to answer any questions.
Hours: Monday – Friday: 9 a.m. – 8 p.m., Saturday: 9 a.m. – 7 p.m. and Sunday: 11 a.m. – 5 p.m.
About: This dispensary does both medical and recreational sales, with the former available through a drive-thru window. Customers can talk to specialists for help choosing flower, edibles and vapes. It offers online ordering and delivery services.
Hours: Monday through Friday, 10 a.m.-8 p.m.; Saturday, 10 a.m.-7 p.m.; Sunday, 12-5 p.m. Hours listed are for recreational purchasing; medical use customers can shop at RISE DISPENSARY ORANGE an hour earlier than the opening times listed above.
About: Though licensed for recreational cannabis sales, Still River Wellness is not currently selling recreationally. There is no current information on when the dispensary will open to those over 21.
Hours: Monday – Thursday: 10 a.m. – 6 p.m., Friday: 10 a.m. – 7 p.m., Saturday: 10 a.m. – 4 p.m. and Sunday: Closed *Hours listed are only serving medical marijuana customers at this moment.*
About: Cannabis retailer chain Trulieve opened for recreational sales in Bristol on February 17. It was previously operating as a medical-only dispensary. Trulieve operates 180 dispensaries across eight states including Arizona, California, Florida, Massachusetts, Maryland, Pennsylvania and West Virginia. The Bristol location is the company’s only Connecticut dispensary.
Hours: Monday – Saturday: 9 a.m. – 8 p.m., Sunday: 10 a.m. – 6 p.m.
About: Venu Flower Collective will be a recreational-only cannabis dispensary in Middletown. The 1,840 square foot facility will be taking over a vacant Bank of America, and it is being opened by co-founder and CEO of Bluepoint Wellness Nick Tamborrino, which also has locations in Branford and Westport.
About: Zen Leaf Dispensary was formerly the Meriden medical marijuana dispensary Willow Brook Wellness. According to the Zen Leaf website, the dispensary will have “cannabis flower, in an array of strains, pre-rolls, in single and 5-pack options,” as well as inhalants.
Hours: Monday – Wednesday: 9 a.m. – 6 p.m., Thursday – Friday: 9 a.m. – 7 p.m. and Saturday – Sunday: 9 a.m. – 3 p.m.
About: Zen Leaf-Norwich is part of a chain of Zen Leaf businesses open across Connecticut. The Norwich facility opened for recreational purposes in July 2023. It also serves as a medical cannabis dispensary.
Hours: Monday – Saturday 9 a.m.- 9 p.m., Sunday 10 a.m.- 6 p.m.
About: Zen Leaf-Newington is part of a chain of Zen Leaf businesses open across Connecticut. The Newington facility opened for recreational purposes in October 2023.
Hours: Monday – Saturday 9 a.m.- 9 p.m., Sunday 10 a.m.- 6 p.m.
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Originally published on Jan. 9, 2023
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