DANBURY, CT — Budr Cannabis, a fast-growing cannabis retailer based in Connecticut, has officially taken over operations of The Botanist dispensary in Danbury, part of a broader acquisition that expands the company’s retail footprint across the state.
The acquisition, which took effect June 1, includes three former Botanist locations: Montville, Vernon and the one at 105 Mill Plain Road in Danbury. These dispensaries are now operating under the Budr name, bringing the company’s total to eight stores—five in Connecticut and three in neighboring states. Co-founder Carl Tirella Jr., who previously managed the same three locations under a different operator, called the move a “full-circle moment.”
“Our signage went up the next day, and while some interior upgrades are still underway, customers will see mostly the same faces behind the counter,” Tirella said. “We retained most of the staff to ensure a smooth transition.”
Founded in 2023 with its first store in West Hartford, Budr has quickly grown into one of Connecticut’s leading cannabis brands. Tirella attributed the company’s early success to strong community relationships and being among the first new operators to enter the market following legalization.
“For example, recreational cannabis flower in Connecticut is capped at 30 percent THC, and packaging laws restrict design elements that help consumers connect with brands,” he said. “We’re hoping to work with the Department of Consumer Protection and legislators to make the market more competitive.”
In addition to retail expansion, Budr plans to build a micro-cultivation facility in Connecticut within the next year, enabling vertical integration. This would allow the company to produce and distribute cannabis products not only to its own stores, but also to other dispensaries in the state.
According to the Connecticut Department of Consumer Protection, the state’s adult-use cannabis sales reached approximately $275 million in the first full year since legalization in January 2023, but growth has been hampered by restrictive laws and uneven municipal adoption. About half of Connecticut towns currently allow cannabis businesses within their borders.
Budr’s next phase of growth includes two additional retail locations—one in Stamford, where the company is engaged in a legal dispute with the city, and another site yet to be finalized. Longer-term plans involve potential expansion into Rhode Island and New Jersey.
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Tirella said his pre-Bud dabblings in the cannabis biz helped him realize “how much the plant can help people, and that really changed my perspective on things, and I wanted to bring it bigger and better in terms of the access and the affordability to the state of Connecticut.”
The entrepreneur emphasized Budr’s commitment to community engagement, job training, and social equity. “We’re trying to create that ‘Budr vibe’—a welcoming, informative, and responsible experience for our customers,” he said.
