Jean Cronin, Executive Director, CT Package Stores Association
By Jean Cronin, Executive Director, Connecticut Package Stores Association
The Connecticut General Assembly has adjourned for the 2026 legislative session. There were over 1,000 bills that were filed, with many not getting passed into law. The Connecticut Package Stores Association (CPSA) reviewed every single bill and amendment that was filed to ensure there were no negative impacts on the industry in Connecticut.
CPSA and the industry were once again fortunate to have a quiet year in terms of large impactful bills introduced that would have harmed the industry.
Wine in grocery stores and beer in the big box stores have become known to legislators as controversial issues. This has not stopped the grocery stores and large national box stores from attempting each session to get legislation introduced to change the statutes to benefit them.
One bill that did pass will have a positive impact on the industry for those that have the THC beverage license, was House Bill 5350. This bill sought to change quite a bit of the cannabis related statutes. The one being most impactful to the liquor industry was the increase in milligrams allowed in THC beverages.
The increase in the milligrams varies, depending on where the product is sold. For beverages that are sold in package stores, the milligrams per can saw the increase to 5 milligrams per can. THC infused beverages that are sold in dispensaries can now be up to 10 milligrams per can.
These are obviously increases from the original 3 milligrams that were allowed under law just two years ago when it was allowed by state law. These products were originally unlicensed and had no regulations on them just a few years ago. Originally, the General Assembly had legislation to only allow the sale of these beverages to dispensaries and would have banned package stores from selling the product. CPSA lobbied the General Law Committee to advocate for the allowance of the THC infused beverages to be sold in stores.
In House Bill 5350, there were also other changes to the THC infused beverages that allowed for a manufacturer to sell their product on premise. The manufacturer needs to serve the beverage in a separate room from where the product is made. The bill is also very clear that alcohol and THC infused beverages cannot be mixed.
The bill mandates that any THC beverage that is sold on premise in a tasting room must have the $1.00 fee on each container that is sold. The fee is not subject to sales tax and does not count as income to the establishment. The manufacturer cannot sell more than 12 containers per day to a consumer.
Originally in the bill was the allowance of restaurants to sell the THC beverages at their locations. During the public hearing, numerous groups came to oppose that idea due to safety concerns of consumers mixing two substances together − and the pressure it would have placed on restaurants and their staff to safely serve. Members of the General Law Committee also expressed reservations about allowing restaurants the ability to serve consumers on premise.
While there were a lot of proposed bills that did not make it across the finish line for final passage, there were a handful of impactful pieces of legislation that will benefit those with infused beverages licenses.
CPSA will be sending out the Public Act after the Governor has signed the bill into law. Members should keep an eye out in their inboxes for additional information. Please call the office if you have any additional questions.
Jean Cronin is the President of Hughes & Cronin Public Affairs Strategies, where she is responsible for developing and implementing legislative initiatives for the firm’s clients, and directing a variety of trade and professional associations managed by the firm. Cronin joined the firm in 1986 after serving as a communications strategist for the Connecticut Senate Majority Office, where she became well-versed in the politics and insight of the State Capitol. She is the Executive Director of the Connecticut Package Stores Association, following the passing of longtime director, Carroll J. Hughes.
