Connecticut is one step closer to legalizing weed

Connecticut lawmakers passed bill Tuesday that could pave the way for marijuana legalization in the state – but time is running out.

The law was barely passed by the state Senate, with a slim 19-17 vote for sending it to the State House.

But, as the CT Mirror put it, it “remains unclear whether the House of Representatives had the votes, the time, or the inclination to seek final adoption before Wednesday’s constitutional deadline of midnight, a task that was met with concerns about the Monday trying to give preference to licensed breeders became more difficult. ”

Der Spiegel reported that the fate of the eagerly awaited bill was in the balance until well into Monday.

“Only the voice of a retired police officer, Senator Kevin Witkos, R-Canton, saved the Senate from Lt. Gov. Susan Bysiewicz had to break a tie. Six Democrats voted with the other eleven Republicans in the opposition, ”reported the Mirror.

“But for eleven minutes after the debate ended and the vote began, the passage was unclear. The record was 16-16, with four Democrats missing: Steve Cassano from Manchester, Douglas McCrory from Hartford, Patricia Billie Miller from Stamford and Marilyn Moore from Bridgeport. Moore voted yes and scored 17-16 after nearly eight minutes. McCrory, angry at the Senate for making a provision he wanted, voted yes three minutes later, dropping the vote to 6:16 pm in favor. Miller, who said she has long been against legalization, cast the 19th yes vote. The victory was assured, Cassano gave one last no-vote. “

In line with other states that have already approved legalization measures, the Connecticut Senate bill would make it legal for adults 21 and older to buy and possess marijuana.

The new law is expected to come into force at the beginning of next year, with the regulated market opening later in 2022.

With Connecticut House members facing a tight deadline – and the legislature is clearly divided on this issue – advocates of legalization may have to wait another year for the state’s ban to end.

Connecticut lawmakers are its greatest allies

One such proponent is the state governor Ned Lamont, who used his February speech on the state of the state to push for legalization.

“Now our neighboring states offer legal and regulated recreational marijuana,” Lamont said at the time. “Massachusetts pharmacies do a lot of advertising here in Connecticut. And instead of leaving this market to the out-of-staters, or worse, the unregulated underground market, our budget is for recreational marijuana legalization. “

Lamont, a Democrat, stated that the additional revenue would “go to needy communities hardest hit by the war on drugs.”

“Half of the tax revenue should be allocated to PILOT payments, in addition to a 3 percent local excise option. More importantly, my bill will allow automated criminal record deletion for people with marijuana drug possession, convictions and charges, ”he said.

Later that month, Lamont tabled a bill to be incorporated into lawmakers.

The legalization effort in Connecticut has been one of seizures and beginnings. In 2019, Lamont and New York Governor Andrew Cuomo began a cross-state legalization policy.

But while New York has moved forward and passed a legalization bill earlier this year, Connecticut could find itself as one of the last remaining Northeastern holdouts. It was something Lamont telegraphed in his state address last year when he again asked the state to legalize it.

“Like it or not, legalized marijuana is a short drive away in Massachusetts and New York is soon to follow,” Lamont said. “Coordinated regional regulation is our best chance to protect public health by replacing illegal sellers with trusted providers.”