Connecticut Lawmakers Pass Recreational Marijuana Bill After Vigorous Debate
It was touch and go for 24 hours on the floor of the CT legislature regarding the recreational cannabis bill.
According to News Times, the Senate had already voted in favor of the bill, but only after adding an amendment stating that individuals that were ineligible to enter the adult-use cannabis industry were now allowed to participate.
That amendment did not sit well with Governor Lamont, and he threatened to veto the bill in its present form. On Wednesday, June 16, Connecticut lawmakers all got together to rehash the bill, which took seven hours of negotiations. The result of those negotiations played out in Lamont's favor.
The amendment previously added by the Senate was removed and the bill passed 76-62 after a seven and a half hour debate. So, what's next? The bill returns to the Senate today for final action.
I thought you might enjoy some of the comments by a couple of Connecticut's legislators. Rep. Jonathan Steinberg, D-Westport, said, "I've been sitting on the fence so long I have splinters." Rep. Tom O'Dea, R-New Canaan, said, "Does anybody here think that if we pass this legislation, the commercialization of pot won't hurt our youth?"
If everything goes as planned, there could be recreational marijuana dispensaries up and running by May of 2022.
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