Legal CT Marijuana Passes Major Hurdle: Here Are The Next Steps

HARTFORD, CT — The General Assembly Judiciary Committee voted in favor of a bill that would lead to legalized recreational marijuana along with the expungement of criminal records for possession of marijuana. It’s the second crucial vote on the road to recreational marijuana legalization in Connecticut.

The bill passed committee 21-19. Republicans have been steadfast in their opposition to legalization and have been joined by some Democrats.

The Judiciary bill establishes 1.5 ounces as the amount of marijuana that can be legally possessed for recreational use. It also requires all cannabis retailers to scan driver licenses in order to perform a sale. It also establishes penalties for selling marijuana to minors.

Anyone who was convicted in state court of possession less than 1.5 ounces of marijuana can file a petition to have the conviction erased from public records. The petition requires a person to include an arrest record or affidavit that establishes the arrest was made for possession of under 1.5 ounces of marijuana.

Connecticut decriminalized small amounts of marijuana in 2011. Currently people found with a small amount of non-medical marijuana are fined $150 for the first offense. Before that people could be subject to arrest and a criminal record.

Several Republicans on the Judiciary Committee voiced concern that legalization would lead to youths having easier access to marijuana and the loss of the stigma associated with the drug.

“I don’t think this is the right direction for the State of Connecticut,” said State Sen. John Kissel (R-Enfield). “I think it sends a terrible message to our young people.”

He also worried that legalization would lead to more people over the age of 21 to become marijuana users.

Related: Here Are Details Of CT's New Legal Weed Proposal

State Rep. Rosa Rebimbas (R-Naugatuck) said many on the committee support the erasure of criminal records for possession of small amounts of marijuana and that the measure should’ve been its own bill.

Some legislators voiced concern over DUI laws in relation to marijuana. State Sen. Dennis Bradley (D-Bridgeport) said there were about 30 years between the time alcohol prohibition ended and breathalyzer tests and police were still able to make arrests.

The General Law Committee passed its marijuana bill in late March. That bill set out the foundation of how recreational marijuana would be regulated. A third bill would deal with the financial aspects of legalization. All three bills are expected to be combined into a single bill before they go for a final vote in the General Assembly and it is expected that some of the language will be changed as caucuses analyze the issue.

The Finance Committee bill would set rules for roadside testing and blood testing for those suspected of being under the influence of marijuana while driving. A driver who has at least five nanograms of tetrahydrocannabinol per milliliter in his or her blood or found to have consumed marijuana within the past two hours would be found in violation of the state’s DUI laws. The bill will be voted on later this session.

Colorado uses the same 5 nanogram level for prosecution and allows police officers to make arrests based on observed impairment.

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