As legal sales near, CT marijuana ‘gifting’ parties gain momentum

Seven months into the legal recreational marijuana landscape, Connecticut’s previously underground cannabis community is enjoying public consumption parties where growers show off flower specimens in what they believe is a gray area in the law. The state Department of Consumer Protection, which is administrating the rollout of recreational cannabis, has no jurisdiction over the events like the ones held each Saturday in Hamden. People may “gift” recreational cannabis to others, but may not sell it without a cannabis license, including giving it away at the same time as another transaction. “You can’t build a community from just handing out regulated licenses,” Accettulo said. “Here at High Bazaar, we’re blending it in a way where you’re almost forced to see those peoples’ items as well.