Connecticut Lawmakers Look to Present Legal Pot Bill, Gain Support

Our neighbors to the North -- no not Canada, I'm talking about Massachusetts -- have given a nod to recreational marijuana legalization. Will Connecticut be far behind? The new popular theme seems to be that change is good.

In case you haven't heard, the recent election had a ballot initiative to legalize the recreational use of marijuana in Massachusetts. And as reported in the Hartford Courant, voters passed it. It's expected that the first retail marijuana locations in Massachusetts will open in January 2018.

According to the article that posted on late on Nov. 8 at courant.com, Connecticut's Governor Malloy was still not a fan of legalization in the state.

Fast forward to Nov. 11, and a story in the New Haven Independent. While the Governor remains opposed to passing a new law, he had this to say to the New Haven Independent:

We might have to reexamine our legal position, our position of enforcement, based on what some surrounding states are doing. It requires us to take a look at it.

The article in newhavendependent.org says that two state lawmakers from New Haven are planning to introduce legislation that would legalize marijuana for recreational use in Connecticut. State Representatives Roland Lemar and Juan Candelaria say Massachusetts legalizing pot last week could bring big chances to Connecticut. Lemar told the New Haven Independent:

We are looking at numerous states across the country that have had full recreational legalization without widespread nefarious negative impacts. I think it’s time we treat this the same way we treat alcohol and tobacco for recreational use for responsible adults. I know the governor has been against it for a number of years. I do respect the steps he has taken to date, but it’s time to move forward.

Add to the discussion that a story in the Hartford Courant published March of 2015, which states that the latest Quinnipiac poll shows that support is building for recreational marijuana in Connecticut. At that time, 63% of Connecticut voters said they support legalizing possession of small amounts of pot for personal use.

Do you believe it's an ideal whose time has come?

Listen to Pam Brooks weekdays from 10-3PM on 95.1 FM, online at i95rock.com/listen-live/ or by downloading the radioPup app for your mobile device.