The production of industrial hemp is now legal in Connecticut – after a considerable push from farmers. Governor Ned Lamont signed the measure into law Thursday.

The bill passed with unanimous support in both chambers of the General Assembly.

Proponents say it will create new opportunities for farmers and that hemp has thousands of uses, including medicinal.

Connecticut lawmakers have advanced bills to reform the state’s marijuana laws, with a bill that would legalize possession of small amounts of cannabis receiving approval from the legislature’s Judiciary Committee on Monday. And late last month, the General Law Committee voted in favor of a separate bill that would legalize and regulate the cultivation, production, and sale of recreational cannabis.

Connecticut lawmakers are poised to cast the first vote of the legislative session on a bill that could legalize recreational marijuana in Connecticut.

The General Law Committee is scheduled to vote Monday on legislation establishing a new Cannabis Control Commission within the Department of Consumer Protection. It would regulate the industry, issue licenses and study outstanding issues, such as whether consumers should be able to grow their own marijuana.

The bill spells out many details of a proposed legalized system, such as limiting consumption to people who are at least 21 and prohibiting the sale of cannabis via products and packaging designed to attract children.

On Thursday afternoon, top lawmakers in the Connecticut House of Representatives announced their plan to legalize cannabis for adult use. Speaking at a press conference, General law chair Rep. Michael D’Agostino, Judiciary Committee chair Rep. Steve Stafstrom and Finance, Revenue and Bonding Committee member Rep. Jason Rojas—all Democrats—discussed the details of the legislative process and what Connecticut residents should expect next. Here are the major takeaways.

A billboard along a Connecticut highway is brewing controversy between residents.

On the federal level, marijuana is still highly illegal, but in neighboring Massachusetts, the substance has been legalized since 2016.

The billboard, put up by "Weed Maps", a company that allows people to find marijuana dispensaries across the country, directs viewers to the new pot shop in Northampton, Mass., 60 miles away.

Some are saying the advertising is innappropriate, citing that weed is still illegal in Connecticut and that it will incentivize people to return home having been or planning to be under the influence.

Protestors and proponents were split over the weekend, some even making parallels to the gun control debate.

With many states considering legalizing recreational marijuana, it's possible there will be several new states to add to the list of legalized ones in America. And Connecticut could be next, writes Joseph Misulonas.

Beginning next week, students at the University of Connecticut have the chance to take a pioneering new course in cannabis horticulture. The course, titled “Horticulture of Cannabis: from Seed to Harvest,” aims to train students in all aspects of the cannabis cultivation process.

Importantly, this course represents progress on multiple fronts. For starters, it is part of an increasing focus on bringing scientifically-proven and evidence-backed processes to the world of cannabis cultivation. Additionally, the course is part of a growing trend in which colleges and universities are beginning to train students to enter the legal cannabis industry.

Litchfield County this spring will debut its first-ever medical marijuana dispensary in Torrington, about five years after city officials amended a key zoning regulation allowing local distribution of the drug.

Shortly after Connecticut legalized medical marijuana sales in 2012, Torrington created dispensary overlay zones allowing the retail clinics. The city's aim was simple: shorten commutes for thousands of local patients to access cannabis.

Those regulations piqued the interest of myriad entrepreneurs who wanted to open a dispensary; four received local zoning approval, and one was recently granted rights to open a facility by the state Department of Consumer Protection, which regulates the industry.