Do You Support Legalized Marijuana Use In CT? Take Our Survey

CONNECTICUT — A bill to legalize recreational marijuana use by adults in the state cleared another hurdle last week, but just barely.

The legislature's Judiciary Committee voted narrowly to advance Senate Bill No. 888, "An Act Responsibly And Equitably Regulating Adult-Use Cannabis," 22 votes to 16.

There is no debate that legal weed has momentum in the Northeast. Recreational use of marijuana has been legal in New York as of two weeks ago, in New Jersey as of February, in Vermont since 2018 and in Massachusetts since 2o16. Gov. Ned Lamont has bemoaned that Connecticut is leaving money on the table as its residents drive to nearby states to light up.

Opponents of legalizing recreational marijuana use argue that the societal costs of additional medical care for addiction treatment for the uninsured and victims of drugged driving accidents more than zero out any new revenue.

The journey of the Connecticut bill through the legislature so far has been notable for its twists and turns through detours of social equity concerns. For many residents and legislators, it's not enough that adult marijuana use become legal in the state, past criminal records for its possession must be expunged.

The Judiciary Committee tweaked the original bill to mandate that only existing medical marijuana establishments and "social equity applicants" could establish cannabis shops from July 2021 to January 2024. The lawmakers also added language directing some of the revenue from marijuana sales be allocated for prevention and addiction recovery services grants. Tax marijuana sales too much to fund social change and legal retailers won't be able to compete with black marketeers, who won't be going away.

Hosting a forum for legislators, business leaders and other experts on the topic in February, Lamont declared that "prohibition doesn't work." Was he right?

Patch wants to know how you feel about the topic. Take our survey below to let us know.