Connecticut Welcomes Zen Leaf Dispensary to its Cannabis Market

Verano Holdings, a prominent multi-state cannabis operator, has unveiled its latest venture in Connecticut with the grand opening of Zen Leaf Naugatuck. This marks the company’s third social equity joint venture location in the state and its fifth cannabis dispensary overall.

Grand Opening Details

The inauguration of Zen Leaf Naugatuck will be celebrated with a grand opening event on Friday, May 3. The event will feature a ceremonial ribbon-cutting ceremony in collaboration with the Waterbury Area Chamber of Commerce at 11 a.m. local time.

Location and Operational Hours

Situated at 585 South Main Street, Zen Leaf Naugatuck will be accessible to customers throughout the week. Operating hours are from 9 a.m. to 9 p.m. from Monday to Saturday, and from 10 a.m. to 6 p.m. on Sundays.

Community Support and Initiatives

Verano Holdings received backing for its social equity plan from various local community organizations for the establishment of Zen Leaf Naugatuck. Partnerships with organizations such as the Brass City Gamers Tournament, Rivera Memorial Foundation, The UnGroup Society, and the Waterbury Opportunities Industrialization Center, Inc., will enable Zen Leaf to directly fund youth education initiatives in the area.

Education Initiatives Funded by Zen Leaf

            LifeLaunch Waterbury: A 12-week e-learning curriculum aimed at teaching life skills and financial literacy to teens and young adults in Waterbury.

           STEM Training and Laptop Donations: Zen Leaf will sponsor an 8-week STEM certified course and provide coding laptops to the first 10 graduates, promoting STEM education among local youth.

Company Statement

George Archos, Verano’s founder and CEO, expressed enthusiasm for the opening of Zen Leaf Naugatuck and emphasized the company’s commitment to supporting local communities and fostering equitable growth in the cannabis industry across Connecticut.

Expansion and Operations

Zen Leaf dispensaries offer various ordering options, including online pre-orders, in-store kiosk, and walk-up counter ordering. The company also provides promotions such as discounts for veterans and medical patients. Verano’s operations in Connecticut include CTPharma, a cultivation and processing facility, along with Zen Leaf dispensaries in Meriden, Newington, Norwich, and Waterbury.

Future Plans

With the addition of Zen Leaf Naugatuck, Zen Leaf plans to open a total of six equity joint venture dispensaries across Connecticut, subject to obtaining necessary approvals, expanding Verano’s retail footprint to eight stores statewide.