A bill regarding marijuana regulation hasn’t fared so well with Connecticut law makers so far.
It fell through the General Law Committee on Thursday as many voiced their concerns about regulating recreational marijuana and the impacts it would have on the state’s medical marijuana operations.
“I suspect this is still a ways off, but this is a conversation to determine how to go forward,” remarked Sen. Carlo Leone, D-Stamford. Leone is a co-chair of the committee.
Sen. John Kissel, R-Enfield, stated, “I don’t want our state to turn into the wild west of marijuana.” Kissel was also against the state’s legalization of medical marijuana in 2012.
Rep. Josh Elliot, D-Hamden, remarked, “Given that the make up of the legislature is the same as it was last year, there is no reason to believe we are going to have a different outcome. However if we can get some good work done this year in creating the infrastructure for the regulatory framework, that gives us less work to do next year, assuming we have the numbers.”
“Marijuana is less addictive and less harmful than at least three other substances – alcohol, tobacco and opioid medication – that we legalize and regulate in Connecticut,” commented Rep. Steven Stafstrom, D-Bridgeport. “I support that effort so that we can bring the sale and regulation of marijuana out of the shadows and off our streets.”
