Connecticut Gov. Ned Lamont announced Sept. 20 the launch of an education campaign to promote responsible cannabis consumption ahead of the state’s adult-use market launch.
The campaign contains resources including information about safe storage and disposal, as well as what to do in case someone—such as a child or pet—accidentally ingests cannabis, according to the press release from the governor’s office.
“Protecting public health and safety includes providing people with the tools and knowledge to make informed decisions to keep their families safe,” Lamont said in a public statement. “We’re working to educate the public about the steps they can take to protect themselves and their families from accidental ingestion and over-consumption. We encourage adults who choose to use these products to do so responsibly.”
The videos, brochures, flyers and social media graphics are available to the public here.
The Connecticut Department of Consumer Protection developed the resources in collaboration with the Connecticut Department of Public Health and the Connecticut Department of Mental Health and Addiction Services to be used by businesses both inside and outside of the cannabis industry.
“The health and safety of those in the state of Connecticut is our top priority,” Department of Public Health Commissioner Manisha Juthani said in a public statement. “With the start of this new educational campaign, those who use cannabis can be properly informed and will be able to make the best decisions for their health and wellbeing, without concern of inadvertently putting themselves at risk.”
The Department of Consumer Protection plans to add more content to the campaign over time, including resources that cover responsible cannabis use, where consumption is allowed, and how to read and understand product labels, according to the press release.
In addition, the Department of Mental Health and Addiction Services plans to launch a multimedia campaign this fall to educate the public about Connecticut’s cannabis laws; the campaign will ultimately provide information about the potential impacts of cannabis through television, radio, social media, outdoor and print media and will complement materials from the Department of Consumer Protection’s campaign.
Lamont signed Connecticut’s adult-use cannabis legalization bill into law last summer, and the possession of small amounts of cannabis became legal for adults 21 and older on July 1, 2021.
The state’s commercial adult-use market is expected to launch in the coming months.
