Jean Cronin, Executive Director, CT Package Stores Association

By Jean Cronin, Executive Director, Connecticut Package Stores Association

The 12-week legislative session has reached the halfway point with many bills and ideas still very much alive in the process. Connecticut Package Stores Association (CPSA) has been active in conversations with legislators and testifying in committees on all bills affecting the industry. 

Two bills that have a large impact on members have to do with THC seltzers and grocery beer permits. 

THC seltzers are the newest products to be allowed to be sold in package stores in decades. They have offered an alternative to traditional beverages that customers have enjoyed for decades. Recently at the Federal level, THC seltzers will no longer be able to be sold in states, unless the entire production of the product is performed within a state’s borders. 

One bill, HB 5350, which looks to address the regulation of hemp and cannabis, contains a few proposals that would make changes to how THC beverages are sold and where. 

The most controversial proposal in the bill would allow restaurants the ability to sell THC seltzers. This would be a major change in allowing the THC seltzers to be sold and consumed by customers at an on-premise location. Some restaurants and manufacturers see this allowance of selling THC seltzers on premise as a next step.

There is concern among legislators on the General Law Committee that a customer might not know how they react to drinking a THC seltzer and alcoholic beverage. There is also concern that was expressed at the public hearing about whether or if insurance would be issued to restaurants if they were to sell these seltzers.

Included in the bill is an increase in the number of milligrams allowed per can to be sold in retail locations. Package stores under this proposal would be allowed to sell THC seltzers of up to 5 milligrams per can, while 10 milligrams per can would be allowed to be sold at dispensaries. Current law sets the limit at 3 milligrams per can regardless of where the seltzer is sold.

Another bill that CPSA has monitored, and testified in favor of, has to do with the creation of a working group to further study the “grocery beer permit.” 

CPSA has noticed the increase in gas stations subleasing their connivence store out to obtain a grocery beer permit has increased in recent years. The gas station industry has tried in the past to lower the 50% threshold of groceries that help to determine what is and isn’t a grocery store. 

The working group would be tasked with studying the grocery beer permit with the General Committee leadership to help to determine what statutory changes should be changed to tighten up the grocery beer permit to ensure that gas stations and connivence stores. CPSA has also suggested creating a one year moratorium on all grocery beer permits until the working group studies the issue and the General Assembly can act on possible suggested actionable items.

CPSA will be actively lobbying and tracking all legislation that will have an impact on the industry.