The Hartford Cannabis Company Sues Social Equity Council Over Change in Rules.

The Hartford Cannabis Company is aggrieved. It is suing three state agencies. The company applied for a marijuana cultivation license under the social equity provisions of the 2021 legislation passed in a special session of the legislature. The first 16 provisional license holders were announced earlier this month. They will now undergo background checks. Hartford Cannabis was not among the approved applicants.

The social equity provisions are intended to address the disproportionate impact of illegal drugs on certain areas of the state. Hartford Cannabis claims it was unfairly denied a license because the Social Equity Council (SEC), which issued the licenses, denied the company’s application because it provided “no evidence that the [Social Equity Applicants] influence at least 65% of daily affairs” of the company.

Hartford Cannabis claims in its complaint against the Department of Consumer Protection, Department of Economic and Community Development, and SEC filed in Hartford Superior Court that the rules for completing and reviewing applications were changed after the period for submitting applications began. The rules, the plaintiff alleges, provided no opportunity for applicants to amend their applications after rules changes.