Connecticut Committee Approves Cannabis Legalization

[dropcap class=”kp-dropcap”]A[/dropcap]s Connecticut considers expansions to its medical cannabis legislation, it is also considering legalizing recreational cannabis and could be the 11th state to do so.

On March 25, the state’s General Law Committee approved a bill that would legalize cannabis by a 10-8 vote. HB-7371 still needs to be approved by the House and Senate, and signed into law by Gov. Ned Lamont, who supports cannabis legalization.

The vote came after two hearings that were held last Friday that discussed legalization as well as an expansion on the medical cannabis legislation in the state, HB-7287. Advocates of cannabis legalization are embracing the effort while recommending to add home cultivation and microbusinesses. “We have a black market and we stay idle and do nothing, that black market is going to continue to thrive,” said Rep. Juan Candelaria, an advocate for cannabis legalization n the state. “The opportunity for us to regulate this market and utilize these dollars and really invest them . . . in addiction care, that goes a long way.”

The legalization bill also contains a provision that would give priority to cannabis business applicants from communities that were adversely impacted by the “War on Drugs.” It also would clear convictions of anyone who has a prior conviction for possessing 1.5 ounces of cannabis or less . Advocates are pushing for an expansion of the legislation that would add more cannabis-related convictions. “When we’re undoing a vast racial injustice, it’s not enough to say ‘We fixed the policy and everyone starts at a level playing field,’” said Rep. Geoff Luxenberg, “Because everyone’s not starting at a level playing field . . . we cannot legalize this industry and not provide economic opportunity for the people who have been most harmed. It’s wrong from a civil rights perspective and it’s wrong from a policy perspective.”