BREAKING NEWS

All lanes on I-95 in Norwalk have reopened.

Main

Sections

Features

News 12 Originals

Choose Your Region

Be the first to know

Topics you care about, straight to your inbox

Your email address

Main

Sections

Features

News 12 Originals

Default

Be the first to know

Topics you care about, straight to your inbox

Your email address

Supporters hope 2020 is the year Connecticut passes legal marijuana law

A recent poll showed 59% of Connecticut residents favor legalization.

News 12 Staff

•

Jan 23, 2020, 10:19 PM

•

Updated 1,563 days ago

Share:

Supporters of recreational marijuana legalization in Connecticut believe 2020 may be the year it passes.
State Senate President Martin Looney, a Democrat, said that the “time has come.”
“We know there are very large numbers of Connecticut residents already traveling regularly to Massachusetts to buy this product," said Looney.
The starting point is last year's plan, which calls for an initial 31% sales tax on marijuana. Eventually, it would drop to $50 an ounce for marijuana flowers and $15 for trim.
Gov. Ned Lamont is also working on his own plan. Both proposals will likely allow prior drug offenders to wipe their criminal records clean.
There's also been talk of sending the issue to the voters to decide through an amendment to the state constitution. But that move could push back sales another four years.
A recent poll showed 59% of Connecticut residents favor legalization.
But on this week's "Power and Politics," two newly-elected Republicans, state Rep. Brian Farnen, of Fairfield, and state Rep-elect Harry Arora, of Greenwich, said there are simply too many questions to support pot yet.
“There are also concerns, I believe, with underage usage that would need to be tackled. And you also have the issue of smoking while driving," said Farnen.
More from News 12
5:11
All I-95 lanes in Norwalk reopen one day after overpass demolition

All I-95 lanes in Norwalk reopen one day after overpass demolition

1:31
Steady rain, cooler feel Sunday in Connecticut; warmer start to workweek

Steady rain, cooler feel Sunday in Connecticut; warmer start to workweek

0:42
Texas, prolific retired Connecticut State Police K-9, dies from illness

Texas, prolific retired Connecticut State Police K-9, dies from illness

2:06
New guidance says women need to be screened for breast cancer at 40 or younger

New guidance says women need to be screened for breast cancer at 40 or younger

0:34
State police: Merging car collided with tanker to cause I-95 overpass fire

State police: Merging car collided with tanker to cause I-95 overpass fire

0:32
Fairfield Avenue overpass damaged by fire fully demolished

Fairfield Avenue overpass damaged by fire fully demolished

1:51
Stamford FD: 67-year-old man found dead inside hoarder house following fire

Stamford FD: 67-year-old man found dead inside hoarder house following fire

0:21
Northbound lanes on I-95 in Norwalk back open following massive fire

Northbound lanes on I-95 in Norwalk back open following massive fire

0:22
Officials: 2-car crash in Orange hospitalizes 7

Officials: 2-car crash in Orange hospitalizes 7

0:32
Police: Contractor failed to complete project and refund Orange homeowners

Police: Contractor failed to complete project and refund Orange homeowners

1:32
Knowing the early warning signs during Stroke Awareness Month

Knowing the early warning signs during Stroke Awareness Month

3:21
Bridge over section of I-95 in process of being demolished due to damage from truck fire

Bridge over section of I-95 in process of being demolished due to damage from truck fire

2:17
Norwalk company's custom truck was key tool to putting out I-95 tanker fire

Norwalk company's custom truck was key tool to putting out I-95 tanker fire

1:33
Norwalk restaurant owners say I-95 closure is severely impacting business

Norwalk restaurant owners say I-95 closure is severely impacting business

2:26
Gov. Lamont declares state of emergency in response to the I-95 tractor-trailer fire

Gov. Lamont declares state of emergency in response to the I-95 tractor-trailer fire

2:06
Merritt Parkway accident causes commute nightmare for some

Merritt Parkway accident causes commute nightmare for some

0:24
First selectwoman of Weston thanked an animal rescue group for helping save a baby owl

First selectwoman of Weston thanked an animal rescue group for helping save a baby owl

Bridgeport police seize an illegal stolen firearm

Bridgeport police seize an illegal stolen firearm

1:19
Man who oversaw cleanup of I-95 Bridgeport crash in 2004 reflects on Norwalk fire

Man who oversaw cleanup of I-95 Bridgeport crash in 2004 reflects on Norwalk fire

10 organizations to donate to in support of the Asian American and Pacific Islander communities

10 organizations to donate to in support of the Asian American and Pacific Islander communities