Marijuana supporters urge lawmakers at public hearing to legalize recreational pot

Marijuana supporters urged state lawmakers at a public hearing Monday to make legal, recreational marijuana use in Connecticut a reality.

News 12 Staff

Mar 2, 2020, 10:56 AM

Updated 1,506 days ago

Share:

Marijuana supporters urged state lawmakers at a public hearing Monday to make legal, recreational marijuana use in Connecticut a reality.
Under Gov. Ned Lamont's legalization plan, adults 21 and over could possess about 60 joints worth of pot as of July. Anything beyond that would either be civil fine or a misdemeanor.
Sales would wait until 2022, while a new Equity Commission sorts out who can get a license to sell.
On the other side, police chiefs worry about drivers hitting the road high. Right now, Connecticut only has 62 trained Drug Recognition Experts out of 8,000 officers.
"That evaluation, which can take an hour or more to do, is actually post-arrest, in a very controlled environment. It's not a roadside test," said Chief William Wright of the Wallingford police.
Marijuana supporters say 2020 is the time for the state to "go green."
There is a sense of urgency because Massachusetts already sells marijuana legally and New York may legalize it in a few months.


More from News 12
2:40
Petitions fight parking plan approved for downtown Westport

Petitions fight parking plan approved for downtown Westport

1:25
Cooler temperatures, rain on the way for Connecticut

Cooler temperatures, rain on the way for Connecticut

1:31
FAFSA new application delay is affecting students across Connecticut

FAFSA new application delay is affecting students across Connecticut

0:39
CT chief public defender under fire following accusations of bullying, insubordination

CT chief public defender under fire following accusations of bullying, insubordination

2:28
Exclusive: Lost Stamford High School class ring turns up at seminary after almost 80 years

Exclusive: Lost Stamford High School class ring turns up at seminary after almost 80 years

2:18
Group recommends traffic stop audits for every officer after State Police ticket probe

Group recommends traffic stop audits for every officer after State Police ticket probe

0:17
Stratford Police close Short Beach Monday due to unruly youths

Stratford Police close Short Beach Monday due to unruly youths

0:37
Trumbull man who rammed police cruisers, sold drugs gets 8 years in prison

Trumbull man who rammed police cruisers, sold drugs gets 8 years in prison

2:59
Bridgeport residents vow to fight back evictions after an out-of-state developer buys multiple properties on the East Side

Bridgeport residents vow to fight back evictions after an out-of-state developer buys multiple properties on the East Side

0:21
Wilton police: Man arrested for impersonating an FBI agent

Wilton police: Man arrested for impersonating an FBI agent

2:41
Fourth generation owners lean on tradition to lead Currie’s Tires to 95 years

Fourth generation owners lean on tradition to lead Currie’s Tires to 95 years

3:22
Made In Connecticut: Amodex in Bridgeport has been cleaning up for over 65 years

Made In Connecticut: Amodex in Bridgeport has been cleaning up for over 65 years

0:21
Sally's Apizza is making its way to Norwalk later this year

Sally's Apizza is making its way to Norwalk later this year

Guide: Alcohol addiction recovery support and resources

Guide: Alcohol addiction recovery support and resources

1:49
Work Zone Safety Awareness Week: CT DOT shares roadway tips and safety measures

Work Zone Safety Awareness Week: CT DOT shares roadway tips and safety measures

2:05
Gov. Lamont pushes for more solar panels on schools

Gov. Lamont pushes for more solar panels on schools

1:51
Last minute tips to file your tax returns as deadline looms

Last minute tips to file your tax returns as deadline looms

0:58
Jackie Robinson Day: Former Dodger Bobby Valentine reflects on athlete and activist

Jackie Robinson Day: Former Dodger Bobby Valentine reflects on athlete and activist

0:22
Connecticut police departments increase patrols around religious sites following aerial attack on Israel

Connecticut police departments increase patrols around religious sites following aerial attack on Israel

0:30
John Solomon, former Easton police chief and veteran, dies at 82

John Solomon, former Easton police chief and veteran, dies at 82