Connecticut’s Cannabis Ombudsman Boosts Adult-Use and Medical Competitiveness

# Connecticut’s Cannabis Ombudsman: One Year of Advocacy for Medical Marijuana Patients

Connecticut’s pioneering cannabis ombudsman, Erin Gorman Kirk, just wrapped up her first year in office. She’s been pushing hard for medical marijuana patients across the state, and you can feel the impact.

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As the first official of her kind in the country, Kirk has been busy tackling all sorts of challenges in Connecticut’s changing cannabis scene. Patient numbers have dropped, people have questions about product quality, and the state’s trying to keep up with its neighbors in the cannabis market.

The Changing Landscape of Medical Marijuana in Connecticut

Since Connecticut legalized adult-use cannabis in January 2023, the medical marijuana program has changed a lot. Patient registration plummeted from about 50,000 to just 34,000 by May 2025.

“What we’ve seen across Hartford, New Haven, and other communities is a concerning trend,” Kirk says. “As recreational sales increased, many producers scaled back their medical-specific offerings, particularly those with higher potency that patients rely on.”

Legislative Response to Patient Exodus

Lawmakers noticed patients were heading to other states for their medicine, so they passed House Bill 7178. This law, starting October 1, bumps up the allowed THC potency for flower and concentrates.

“Patients in Stamford and Bridgeport were telling me they were driving to Massachusetts because they couldn’t get the medicine they needed here,” Kirk shares. “This adjustment should help keep Connecticut patients in Connecticut dispensaries.”

Addressing Quality Concerns in the Market

Potency isn’t the only issue. Kirk hears a lot about product quality from folks in Greenwich and Waterbury.

People complain about cannabis that’s too dry or packaging that’s tough to open—especially for those with limited dexterity. When these things pop up, Kirk gets right in touch with growers and suppliers to figure out what’s going wrong and what can be fixed.

Building Relationships with Regulators

Kirk’s role is advisory, so she doesn’t have official power. Still, she’s built a good working relationship with the Department of Consumer Protection, which oversees cannabis regulation.

“Initially, there was some hesitation,” Kirk admits. “But now they’re considering practical suggestions like implementing QR codes to help consumers in Danbury and Norwich identify legal dispensaries more easily.”

Challenges Facing Connecticut’s Cannabis Industry

The cannabis market here keeps running into some stubborn problems. Some big companies have even started to rethink whether they want to stay in Connecticut.

Among the most pressing issues:

Overregulation that stifles innovation

Severe advertising restrictions

Generic labeling requirements

Limited product differentiation opportunities

“These restrictions make it particularly difficult for businesses to establish brand identity,” Kirk explains. “When consumers can’t distinguish between products, it hurts both businesses and patients seeking consistent medicine.”

The Potential of Craft Cannabis

Kirk thinks Connecticut could really benefit from encouraging a craft cannabis sector, kind of like what happened with craft breweries.

“We’ve seen how craft beer transformed communities like New London,” she says. “A similar approach to cannabis could create jobs while providing patients with more diverse, high-quality options.”

The Path Forward

Despite the challenges, Kirk stays optimistic about Connecticut’s cannabis future. The latest legislative changes show lawmakers want to adapt regulations for both medical patients and recreational consumers.

“We’re making progress,” Kirk says. “The conversation has shifted from whether cannabis should be legal to how we can make this market work better for everyone involved.”

Here is the source article for this story: State Cannabis Ombudsman Works To Make CT More Competitive In Adult-Use, Medical Markets

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