Cannabis leaves. Photo curtesy of Drew Taylor/Unsplash.
On April 8, Connecticut State Judiciary Committee approved a bill that would legalize recreational marijuana and abolish criminal records for small possession counts passed. The bill narrowly passed by a margin of 21-19 and now awaits a full vote in the state House of Representatives and Senate. Ned Lamont, Governor of Connecticut, made marijuana legalization a priority during his campaign said in response to the committee approval, “it’s an idea whose time has come, and I’m going to push it in the first year.” This push for legalization in Connecticut originally began in March 2019 when the General Law Committee passed the HB 7371, a bill that would regulate marijuana; consequently the work of HB 7371 lead to the SB 1085 bill that would legalize marijuana possession and erase records of low-level offenses on April 8. This recently passed legislation allows individuals 21 years or over to possess up to 1.5 ounces of marijuana.
This is a step in the right direction for Connecticut, where in 2011 possession of half an ounce or less was considered a civil violation and punishable by a fine of up to $150. If subsequent offenses occurred, fines ranged from $200-$500.
The current form of the bill would result in 20% in taxes on legal marijuana, resembling the current tax percentage for legalized marijuana in Massachusetts. The bill also designates all revenue generated from the tax to be reinvested in local neighborhoods and city school zones with low education performances such as New Haven, Hartford, and Bridgeport. This policy has been partially endorsed by Senate President Pro Tempore Martin Looney of New Haven. He has said, “I think there has to be some municipal retainage of some of the funds where the dispensaries and the stores are set up.” However, there is some push back from Connecticut Republican Representative Chris Davis, a member of the Finance Committee who believes legalization, “seems to be a money grab for a new revenue source that benefits a select few communities at the detriment of the children and families all over Connecticut that would be impacted by the legalization of a drug.” Furthermore, Davis recommends a better allocation of the revenue saying, “I’m concerned about that the money wouldn’t be directed against opioid use across Connecticut, public safety or other public health initiatives.” The plan will go through and be reviewed by the Finance Committee prior to the May 2 deadline when final votes will be cast by both the House and Senate.
How legalization will affect the Connecticut College community remains to be seen. Connecticut College’s drug policy states: “The use, possession or sale of illicit drugs or drug-related paraphernalia as defined by Connecticut state law is strictly prohibited on Connecticut College property, as is the misuse of prescription drugs.” Allowing marijuana on campus is going to require more than merely state legalization. Additionally, federal funding may become an issue if an institution allows their students to use marijuana, since it has not been legalized federally. Only time will tell.
