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Connecticut Becomes 19th State to Offer Cannabis Legalization

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Connecticut Becomes 19th State to Offer Cannabis Legalization

Shortly after Connecticut lawmakers joined in a special session to create a recreational cannabis legalization bill, they SB 1201 to Governor Lamont for his signature. He signed it Tuesday. Cannabis will be legal for all citizens over 21 starting July 1st. 

“For decades, the war on cannabis caused injustices and created disparities while doing little to protect public health and safety,” Governor Lamont said. “The law that I signed today begins to right some of those wrongs by creating a comprehensive framework for a regulated market that prioritizes public health, public safety, criminal justice, and equity. It will help eliminate the dangerous, unregulated market and support a new and equitable sector of our economy that will create jobs.”

Legalization

Originally, Governor Lamont introduced SB 888 to Connecticut’s congress to legalize recreational cannabis. But Democratic leaders threatned to veto the bill over social equity. So, lawmakers met with the governor to create a comprehensive bill, SB 1118. Unfortunately, the bill did not move past the House after narrowly passing the Senate before the legislation session ended. 

However, the House Speaker called for a special session to discuss recreational cannabis. At the end of the session, the nearly 300-page bill of SB 1201 came to Governor Lamont’s desk. It arrived in almost the same fashion as SB 1118. There had been an issue during the special session. Governor Lamont threatened to veto the bill over a Senate added amendment. 

The amendment involved allowing anyone with past cannabis convictions and arrest, as well as their spouse and family, to qualify for social equity license status. Governor Lamont said that this measure would undermine the social equity measures he had helped create with lawmakers previously. These measures would approve of social equity licenses to people in areas disproportionately affected by drug war convictions and arrests. Lawmakers still removed the amendment and the bill made its way to Governor Lamont. 

Cannabis Use

Under the newly signed SB 1201, citizens 21 and over can possess up to 1.5 ounces of cannabis on themselves at one time. Legalization begins July 1. Legal sales expected by the end of 2022. However, no specific date has been set. Anyone wanting to grow, cultivate (besides homegrowth) and sell cannabis will need a license through the state. Homegrowth is allowed initially for medical cannabis patients. They can have up to six plants in their homes starting October 1, 2021. Recreational cannabis plants for home growth will begin July 1, 2023. 

Other measures adopted would be expunging cannabis records from January 1, 2000, to October 1, 2015 automatically. Any other convictions will need to be petitioned for. 

Future

Connecticut citizens won’t have to wait long for legalization to come, with July being right around the corner. Even Governor Lamont said he may legally smoke a joint

Cheers of activists come from across the state.  “Twenty years ago I was arrested for simple possession,” said Jason Ortiz. He served as a member of a cannabis work group the governor created. He is also currently the executive director of Students for Sensible Drug Policy. “Today young people in Connecticut will not have to suffer the same fate, and that is something we should all be incredibly proud of.”

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