Legislation in the state of Connecticut could lead to the creation of marijuana lounges and dispensaries in the state.
The bill that would legalize marijuana is before the General Assembly’s judiciary committee and it would allow for a network of marijuana lounges to be created. The bill, called S.B. 487, would also allow adults at the age of at least 21 to possess up to an ounce of marijuana legally and be allowed to cultivate as many as six marijuana plants. They would also be allowed to purchase the marijuana through a state-regulated dispensary.
According to Senate President Pro Term Martin Looney, who supports the bill, the bill is designed to encourage small business development as well as diversity.
“It is time we take the rational, commonsense approach to marijuana, as we did with alcohol: regulating and taxing it,” Looney has stated, “We need to ensure that Connecticut is not left behind as our neighbors move forward with commonsense marijuana policy.”
“I’ve long been a proponent of the legalization of marijuana but I think the urgency is such now that we have to act, we have to act before the state of Massachusetts regulates the possession or sale of marijuana in our state for us,” said Rep. Steve Stafstrom, a vice-chair of the judiciary committee, during a hearing on the bill.
gIf the bill is passed, legislation would take effect on January 1st of 2020.
