Marijuana advocates in Connecticut may be celebrating as today is the day that the state’s governor Ned Lamont (D) is expected to sign a bill to legalize adult-use marijuana.
There will also be a small ceremony planned to mark the historic occasion.
The signing ceremony will involve “legislative leaders and those most involved in the final negotiations,” read the email from senior Lamont advisor Jonathan Harris, which was shared with Marijuana Moment.
“As we discussed and all agreed, we needed to do better on the critical issue of social equity and had the short timeline of the upcoming session working against us,” Harris’s message says.
“Together, we did make improvements and got a bill passed, that while not perfect (few if any are), is comprehensive and prioritizes public health, public safety, social justice and equity.”
Separately on Monday, the governor told reporters at a press conference that he plans to sign the cannabis legislation today.
He also said last week that he’s actually open to using marijuana himself once the policy change is enacted.
Despite all of this, a top staffer last week said that there is “still much work to be done” to ensure that the law upholds principles of social justice and ensures that disproportionately impacted communities are empowered to participate in the industry.
After Lamont signs the bill, possession of marijuana by adults 21 and older will become legal on July 1. Commercial cannabis sales could begin as soon as May of 2022. The bill does not specify an exact start date.
Connecticut is the fourth state to legalize cannabis for adult use in 2021.
