Elections have consequences:
On the 50th anniversary of the war on drugs, the state Senate put the finishing touches on legislation to legalize marijuana in Connecticut.
On July 1, it will be legal for adults over-21 to have an ounce-and-a-half of marijuana, and retail sales in Connecticut may begin as soon as next spring, under legislation that the state Senate approved after a 70-minute debate on Thursday morning.
Within minutes, Gov. Ned Lamont, who campaigned in 2018 with a promise to legalize adult use of cannabis, announced that he looks forward to signing the bill into law.
“It’s fitting that the bill legalizing the adult use of cannabis and addressing the injustices caused by the war of drugs received final passage today, on the 50-year anniversary of President Nixon declaring the war,” Lamont said in a statement. “The war on cannabis, which was at its core a war on people in Black and Brown communities, not only caused injustices and increased disparities in our state, it did little to protect public health and safety. “
The bill, which passed in a 16-11 vote with nine senators absent, was the third time in 10 days that the Senate voted in favor of the landmark legislation that will make Connecticut the 19th state to legalize recreational marijuana. The bill focuses on cannabis business opportunities in inner-city neighborhoods that have been targets for generations in the failed war on drugs.
Be sure to remember that next year, Connecticut voters, when you head back to the ballot boxes. Lamont’s re-election isn’t up and running yet but click here to donate and get involved with the Connecticut Democratic Party.