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With pot becoming legal in an increasing number of states across the country, Connecticut reportedly may be next in line as the stigma surrounding marijuana consumption continues to change.
According to a CT Insider report, lawmakers Martin Looney and Joe Aresimowicz are confident that the drug will be fully legalized by the end of the year, though details are still scant about what legalization may look like in the Nutmeg State.
“I think if a flat-out 'should we legalize?' bill goes up in the House that it would pass,” Aresimowicz reportedly said. “The problem is when you're talking about resources and dollars coming in from it, that's where the disagreement is.”
Marijuana is currently decriminalized in Connecticut, meaning no prison time or criminal record for first-time possession of a small amount for personal use. Possession of less than a half an ounce of marijuana leads to a fine of between $150 and $500. More than that results in a fine of up to $2,000 and a year in jail.
Two-thirds of the states in the country allow medical marijuana, while recreational use is permitted in 11, including Massachusetts, Maine, and Vermont. Connecticut Gov. Ned Lamont campaigned on legalizing recreational marijuana before he was elected, though he recently said he is “still examining the path forward” on that front.
In October last year, Lamont met with the governors of neighboring states to discuss a regional approach to legalization, and he announced that he will ask the legislature to pass a legalization bill this year.
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