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News & Events

CT INSIDER
December 21,2025

“What Trump rescheduling cannabis will mean for businesses, consumers in Connecticut”

Rino Ferrarese, who owns and runs Affinity Cannabis in Portland said the move “represents an important step toward aligning public policy with science.”

“Cannabis has long demonstrated real medical potential, but federal barriers have limited rigorous research and development,” he said. “By removing those barriers, we can better understand both the therapeutic value of the plant and the endocannabinoid system — a fundamental biological system that has been largely overlooked and holds significant promise for the development of new treatments.

CT INSIDER
December 11,2025

“CT is getting its 7th large cannabis grower as companies weigh whether the market is worth it”

Connecticut is adding a seventh large cannabis cultivator as Borealis Cannabis by Shangri-La opens a 40,000-square-foot indoor grow in Stratford, expected to produce up to 1,000 pounds of flower monthly and create about 80 jobs. The facility enters a crowded, costly market where many licensed growers face significant regulatory and financial hurdles.

NEW HAVEN INDEPENDENT
September 22, 2025

“Legal Canna-preneur Seeks Smoke-Shop ​“Consequences”

Rino Ferrarese, a legal cannabis business owner, is advocating for stricter enforcement and penalties on smoke shops selling unregulated cannabis, arguing they undercut the regulated market and pose safety risks.

WSHU PUBLIC RADIO
September 16, 2025

“CT DCP drug director named in unauthorized cannabis inspection”

Following a FOIA request revealing that Rodrick Marriott ordered an unannounced inspection of Affinity Grow just one day after its CEO testified at a public hearing. He later admitted mishearing part of the testimony, the inspection found no violations, disciplinary review followed, and Marriott resigned effective September 2 after 17 years with the age