In the Media

We did it! Today, the Connecticut Senate voted (16-11) to concur with a House-passed version of a bill that will legalize cannabis for adults 21 and over. The House passed the bill yesterday in a 76-62 vote. Gov. Ned Lamont has said he will sign the bill into law.

On February 26, 2021, the Judiciary Committee held a public hearing for S.B. 888 – An Act Responsibly and Equitably Regulating Adult-Use Cannabis – Gov. Lamont’s 2021 legalization proposal. The Coalition implored the committee to advance the bill, but to first make revisions to make it stronger and more explicit on equity.

"What I can say about the bill is that there are things that could make it better and there are things that could make it more equitable. But for anyone to suggest that the bill is not an improvement over what we have right now, I think, would be short-sighted," said DeVaughn Ward, MPP's senior legislative counsel.

The Marijuana Policy Project’s DeVaughn Ward said the proposal “is a solid starting point to began negotiations with the legislature. I’m encouraged to see the inclusion of an expungement provision, a micro-business and delivery license type, an equity applicant, and a sizable portion of the revenue directed towards equity and communities of color. The governor’s proposal keeps me optimistic that consensus on this complex issue can be reached this year.”

We can talk all we want about "defunding the police" and cutting way back on law enforcement in American cities. But until cannabis is legalized in every state, real police reform "cannot happen," according to Neill Franklin, executive director of the Law Enforcement Action Partnership.

By legalizing even just one ounce of marijuana, Connecticut could bring its marijuana laws in line with the region, eliminate the number one pretext for stopping Black and Brown people, reduce the burden on our overwhelmed criminal justice system, and reduce the harm inflicted on communities of color by the failed war on drugs.

At the start of 2020, cannabis legalization bills in a handful of northeast states had a relatively clear path to passage. That was before the coronavirus pandemic hit. The latest place where a cannabis bill is delayed? Connecticut.

Lawmakers closed the legislative office building until at least April 23 due to COVID-19. Gov. Lamont also ordered public schools and non-essential businesses to remain closed until May 20. The current legislative session ends May 6. It is expected that the session will end without a deal on legalized marijuana. However, there is hope that legalization could be taken up in a late spring or summer special session.

On March 2, the Judiciary Committee held a public hearing on legislation that would end prohibition and regulate marijuana for adult use in Connecticut.

On February 18, members of the group Clergy United To Regulate Marijuana held a news conference in conjunction with the Connecticut Coalition to Regulate Marijuana to advocate for an end to prohibition in Connecticut.