Connecticut

Implied Consent Laws

Drugs

 CGS 14-227b - Learn More
CGS 14-227b(a) - Learn More
Any person who operates a motor vehicle in Connecticut shall be deemed to have given such person’s consent to (1) a chemical test of such person’s blood, breath, or urine; and (2) a nontestimonial portion of a drug influence evaluation conducted by a drug recognition expert. The test to be performed is at the discretion of the officer. The officer is to inform the operator of their constitutional rights, that the evidence may be used against them, and that their license may be suspended, and afford the operator a reasonable opportunity to telephone an attorney prior to the performance of the test. .

Blood

 CGS 14-227b - Learn More
CGS 14-227b(b) - Learn More
Any person who operates a motor vehicle in Connecticut shall be deemed to have given such person’s consent to all requested chemical analysis of their blood, breath, and urine. The test to be performed is at the discretion of the officer, but if the person refuses or is unable to submit to a blood test, the officer shall designate another test to be taken. If a person submits to a breath test and the police officer, for reasonable cause, requests an additional chemical test of a different type to detect the presence of a drug or drugs other than or in addition to alcohol, the officer may administer such test, except that if such person refuses or is unable to submit to a blood test, the officer shall designate a urine test to be taken.

Urine

 CGS 14-227b - Learn More
CGS 14-227b(b) - Learn More
Any person who operates a motor vehicle in Connecticut shall be deemed to have given such person’s consent to all requested chemical analysis of their blood, breath, and urine. The test to be performed will be at the discretion of the officer. If a person submits to a breath test and the police officer, for reasonable cause, requests an additional chemical test of a different type to detect the presence of a drug or drugs other than or in addition to alcohol, the officer may administer such test, except that if such person refuses or is unable to submit to a blood test, the officer shall designate a urine test to be taken.

Oral Fluids

No Data Available

Other

 CGS 14-227b(a) - Learn More
CGS 14-227b(b) - Learn More
BREATH - Any person who operates a motor vehicle in Connecticut shall be deemed to have given such person’s consent to all requested chemical analysis of their blood, breath, and urine. The test to be performed will be at the discretion of the officer. If a person submits to a breath test and the police officer, for reasonable cause, requests an additional chemical test of a different type to detect the presence of a drug or drugs other than or in addition to alcohol, the officer may administer such test, except that if such person refuses or is unable to submit to a blood test, the officer shall designate a urine test to be taken.
DRUG INFLUENCE EVALUATION - Any person who operates a motor vehicle in Connecticut shall be deemed to have given such person’s consent to (1) a chemical test of such person’s blood, breath, or urine; and (2) a nontestimonial portion of a drug influence evaluation conducted by a drug recognition expert.

DUI Statutes

Drugs

CGS 14-227(a) - Learn More
No person shall operate a motor vehicle while under the influence of intoxicating liquor or any drug or both.

Combined/Multiple Substance

CGS 14-227(a) - Learn More
No person shall operate a motor vehicle while under the influence of intoxicating liquor or any drug or both.

Refusal Law to Chemical Testing (Not Alcohol)

Penalties

CGS 14-227b - Learn More
If the person refuses chemical testing and/or a drug influence evaluation by a drug recognition expert, the officer will immediately revoke and take possession of the driver’s license for a period of 24 hours. The Commissioner of Motor Vehicles may then suspend the person’s license for an additional 45 days and impose a term during which the person may only drive a vehicle equipped with an ignition interlock device. The person may request a hearing to contest the suspension.

Can Refusal Be Used as Evidence?

Admin Hearing or Civil Trial

CGS 14-227b - Learn More
Yes

Criminal Trial

CGS 14-227b and CGS 14-227a(e)- Learn More
Yes

ALR Laws

Cannabis

CGS 14-227b - Learn More
If the person refuses chemical testing and/or a drug influence evaluation by a drug recognition expert, the officer will immediately revoke and take possession of the driver’s license for a period of 24 hours. The Commissioner of Motor Vehicles may then suspend the person’s license for an additional 45 days and impose a term during which the person may only drive a vehicle equipped with an ignition interlock device. The person may request a hearing to contest the suspension.

Length/Time of Restriction

No Data Available
24 hour license revocation, followed by 45 day license suspension.

Hardship License Available

Yes
A person arrested for the first time on suspicion of operating under the influence may apply for a special permission to operate a vehicle in order to get to work and/or school.

Random Drug Testing or Ignition Interlock Requirements

Cannabis

CGS 14-227b(i)
A person 21 years of age or older who was found to be operating a motor vehicle under the influence of intoxicating liquor or any drug, or both, shall install and maintain an IID for:
First offense = 6 months
Second offense = 1 year
Third/subsequent offense = 2 years
A person under 21 who was found to be operating a motor vehicle under the influence of intoxicating liquor or any drug, or both, shall install and maintain an IID for:
First offense = 1 year
First offense = 1 year
Third/subsequent offense = 3 years
Regardless of age, drivers who refuse to submit to a breath, urine or blood alcohol test or the nontestimonial portion of a drug influence evaluation must install and maintain an IID for:
First offense = 1 year
Second offense = 2 years
Third or subsequent offense = 3 years

Other Drugs

CGS 14-227b(i)
A person 21 years of age or older who was found to be operating a motor vehicle under the influence of intoxicating liquor or any drug, or both, shall install and maintain an IID for:
First offense = 6 months
Second offense = 1 year
Third/subsequent offense = 2 years
A person under 21 who was found to be operating a motor vehicle under the influence of intoxicating liquor or any drug, or both, shall install and maintain an IID for:
First offense = 1 year
Second offense = 2 years
Third/subsequent offense = 3 years
Regardless of age, drivers who refuse to submit to a breath, urine or blood alcohol test or the nontestimonial portion of a drug influence evaluation must install and maintain an IID for:
First offense = 1 year
Second offense = 2 years
Third or subsequent offense = 3 years

Zero Tolerance Level for People Under 21 Who Are Driving Under the Influence of Cannabis or Other Drugs

No Data Available

Cannabis Per Se Statute

No Data Available

Threshold

No Data Available

Nanogram Limit

No Data Available

DUI Standards

A person is under the influence of intoxicating liquor, any drug, or both, when as a result of drinking such beverage, ingesting such drug, or both, that person’s mental, physical, or nervous processes have become so affected that he/she lacks to an appreciable degree the ability to function properly in relation to the operation of his/her vehicle. The person’s physical or mental capabilities must have been impaired to such a degree that he/she no longer has the ability to drive a vehicle with the caution characteristic of a sober person of ordinary prudence, under the same or similar circumstances. See State v. Gordon, 84 Conn. App. 519, 527 (2004); State v. Sanko, 62 Conn. App. 34, 41, cert. denied, 256 Conn. 905 (2001); State v. Andrews, 108 Conn. 209, 216 (1928).

Provisions for Screening Cannabis/Assessment/Education/Treatment

CGS 21a-279(2) - Learn More
Any person 21 years of age or older who possesses or has under such person’s control five ounces or more of cannabis or 8 ounces or more of cannabis plant material in a locked container at such person’s residence or a locked glove box or trunk of such person’s motor vehicle, or an equivalent amount of cannabis products, or a combination of cannabis and cannabis products, shall, for a first offense, be fined $500 and for any subsequent offense, be guilty of a class C misdemeanor. For an offense under this section, the court shall evaluate such person and, if the court determines such person is a drug-dependent person, the court may suspend prosecution of such person and order such person to undergo a substance abuse treatment program. Any person who at separate times has entered a nolo contendere plea or been found guilty after trial of violations of this section shall, upon subsequent nolo plea or guilty finding, be referred for participation in a drug education program at that person’s expense.

Additional Penalties

CGS 21a-279a(b) & (c) detail the consequences for persons under 21 who possess more than the allowable amount of cannabis, including possible referrals to youth service bureaus and review of statements acknowledging the health effects of cannabis on young people.

Cannabis Impaired Driving Penalties

P.A. 21-1, § 167 and CGS 14-227a - Learn More
First time arrestees charged with operating under the influence of alcohol or drugs or both are eligible for a diversionary program consisting of 12 alcohol education sessions or substance use treatment of not less than 15 sessions. Successful completion of the program results in a dismissal of the charges.
First conviction – fine of not less than five hundred dollars or more than one thousand dollars; imprisonment for not more than six months; forty-eight consecutive hours mandatory minimum sentence or one hundred hours of community service; operating privilege suspended for one year.
Second conviction – fine of not less than one thousand dollars or more than four thousand dollars; imprisonment for not more than two years (one hundred twenty consecutive days of which may not be suspended or reduced in any manner); one hundred hours of community service; operating privilege suspended for three years or until the date of such person’s twenty-first birthday, whichever is longer.
Third and subsequent conviction- fine of not less than two thousand dollars or more than eight thousand dollars; imprisonment of not more than three years (one year of which may not be suspended or reduced); one hundred hours of community service; operating privilege permanently revoked.

Are the Impaired Driving Penalties the Same for Alcohol?

Yes

Are Combined Substances Mentioned in DUI Statute?

CGS 14-227a - Learn More
Yes - No person shall operate a motor vehicle while under the influence of intoxicating liquor or any drug or both.

Penalties for Multiple Substance/Multiple Substance Impaired Driving

First time arrestees charged with operating under the influence of alcohol or drugs or both are eligible for a diversionary program consisting of 12 alcohol education sessions or substance use treatment of not less than 15 sessions. Successful completion of the program results in a dismissal of the charges.
First conviction– fine of not less than five hundred dollars or more than one thousand dollars; imprisonment for not more than six months; forty-eight consecutive hours mandatory minimum sentence or one hundred hours of community service; operating privilege suspended for one year.
Second conviction – fine of not less than one thousand dollars or more than four thousand dollars; imprisonment for not more than two years (one hundred twenty consecutive days of which may not be suspended or reduced in any manner); one hundred hours of community service; operating privilege suspended for three years or until the date of such person’s twenty-first birthday, whichever is longer.
Third and subsequent conviction- fine of not less than two thousand dollars or more than eight thousand dollars; imprisonment of not more than three years (one year of which may not be suspended or reduced); one hundred hours of community service; operating privilege permanently revoked.

Child Endangerment or Enhanced Penalties for Driving Impaired by Cannabis/Drugs with Child in Car

CGS 14-227m - Learn More
Eligible for diversionary program for first arrest. For subsequent arrests, person charged with operating a motor vehicle while under the influence with a minor passenger subjects the person to enhanced sentencing, including mandatory jail time, for any conviction.

Statutes with THC Listed as Delta 8, 9, 10, or 11

CGS 21a-240(59)
"THC” means tetrahydrocannabinol, including, but not limited to, delta-7, delta-8-tetrahydrocannabinol, delta-9-tetrahydrocannabinol, and delta-10-tetrahydrocannabinol, and any material, compound, mixture, or preparation which contain their salts, isomers and salts of isomers, whenever the existence of such salts, isomers, and salts of isomers is possible within the specific chemical designation, regardless of the source.

Electronic Warrant Program

Statewide

No Data Available

By Locality

No Data Available

Law Enforcement Phlebotomy Program

No Data Available

Oral Fluid

For Drug Detection

No Data Available

Roadside - Not Evidential

No Data Available

Evidential

No Data Available

Roadside and Evidential

No Data Available

Minimum Legal Age for Cannabis Consumption

CGS 21a-279a(a)
21

Underage Cannabis Laws and Penalties

Underage Possession

CGS § 21a-279a - Learn More
Youth under 18 who are in possession of less than 5 ounces: First offense = written warning and possible referral to youth bureau/appropriate services Second offense = referral to youth bureau/appropriate services Subsequent offense = adjudicated delinquent
Youth under 18 who are in possession of more than 5 ounces will be adjudicated delinquent.
Youth between the ages of 18-21 who are in possession of less than 5oz are required to view and sign a statement acknowledging the health effects of cannabis on young people and:
First offense = $50 fine
Subsequent offenses = $150 fine
Youth between the ages of 18-21 who are in possession of more than 5 ounces are required to view and sign a statement acknowledging the health effects of cannabis on young people and:
First offense = $500 fine
Subsequent offense = class D misdemeanor (max 30 days in jail)

Underage Consumption

P.A. 21-1, § 105 P.A. 21-1, § 108(b)
Any cannabis establishment licensee, servant, agent who sells or delivers cannabis or cannabis paraphernalia to any person under 21 shall be guilty of a class A misdemeanor.
Any person who misrepresents their age or uses an operator’s license belonging to another for purposes of procuring cannabis shall:
First offense = fine up to $250
Subsequent offense = guilty of class D misdemeanor
.

Underage Purchase

No Data Available

Underage Attempt to Purchase

P.A. 21-1, § 107
A person who induced any person under 21 to procure cannabis from a licensed seller shall be guilty of a class A misdemeanor.

Underage Exemptions to Illegality of Cannabis

Medical Marijuana

No Data Available

Other

No Data Available

Underage Cannabis Provisions for Screening/Assessment/Education/Treatment/Medication Assisted Treatment

Youth under 21 are provided information on the health effects of cannabis on young people and may be referred to a youth services bureau. Youth who drive impaired may be eligible to participate in court diversionary programs with treatment components. SeeP.A. 21-1, § 167.

Social Host Laws

Cannabis

  P.A. 21-1, § 109
The law expands Connecticut's “social host” law to include cannabis, which means that parents or other adults may commit a crime if they allow minors to use or possess cannabis on their property.

Drugs

No Data Available
No Data Available

Penalties for Retailers Who Knowingly Sell to People Under 21

 Any cannabis establishment licensee, servant, agent who sells or delivers cannabis or cannabis paraphernalia to any person under 21 shall be guilty of a class A misdemeanor.

Other

No Data Available