As cannabis for recreational use was sold legally for the first time in Connecticut, dispensaries reported steady traffic and brisk sales on Tuesday. The state put a number on it, reporting more than $250,000 in combined sales by 5 pm.
“We have had no reported issues at any of our retailers, and we are proud of the successful launch of the regulated adult-use market,” said Department of Consumer Protection Commissioner Michelle Seagull.
There was a celebratory atmosphere at Zen Leaf in Meriden, where music played and free steamed cheeseburgers were offered.
"It's very electric. I love it," said Carlos Ceragioli of Meriden.
"There's been a lot of excitement, a lot of people coming in," said Steve Mazeika, communications director at Chicago-based Verano, which owns Zen Leaf and operates an expansive growing operation in Rocky Hill. "It's been a really good vibe, good energy all day.
While there were a few dozen people on line at Zen Leaf by late afternoon, Fine Fettle dispensary in Willimantic was able to curtail lines for much of the day-- by design.
"We're a preorder-only facility right now," said Debbie Reyes, director of retail for Fine Fettle Connecticut. "It's allowing us to kind of control the crowds and make sure than folks are not waiting in line for an extended period of time."
Like the 6 other dispensaries now open for legal sales around the state, Fine Fettle Willimantic had already been selling cannabis for medical use. Fine Fettle estimates the new traffic will roughly quintuple its current business, and the company is building its workforce to answer the need.
"Together, as a company, we've hired over 120 employees across our 3 locations (the ones that opened Tues. for recreational sales: Willmantic, Newington and Stamford), and that number is growing," said Reyes. "We've also instituted new work flow and policies to basically prepare for the number of folks that we're seeing coming through our doors, which is astronomical."
