Recreational Marijuana Is Legal In CT: Patch Readers' Opinions

CONNECTICUT — After years of legislative wrangling in Hartford, a law allowing the recreational use of marijuana went into effect on July 1. The legislation allows adults 21 and older to possess up to 1.5 ounces of cannabis, and retail sales are set to begin May 2022

After the dust cleared and shouting subsided, Patch surveyed readers for their take on the new legislation, and some of its unanticipated provisions.

It was no surprise that the majority of readers said they hadn't been waiting around for approval from the state to light up. Two-thirds of responders (66.0 percent) said they already used marijuana recreationally, and nearly the exact same number (64.8 percent) told Patch they were happy with the new law.

Over 69 percent of those who said they weren't marijuana users also told us the new law did not inspire them to take the plunge. Only 17 percent were "somewhat more likely" to indulge now that it's legal, and just under 14 percent said they were just waiting for the state's blessing to light up.

Slightly fewer Patch readers want to see legalization of cannabis elevated beyond control of the states. A little over 60 percent think the federal government should step in and approve recreational marijuana use for all Americans.

For many in the state who have long championed the legalization of recreational marijuana, it was all about the promised license and tax revenues. Lamont said marijuana sales would bring in around $33.6 million in revenue for the state in fiscal year 2023 and $97 million by fiscal year 2026.

But that pot of gold shone less brightly for some communities as the 2021 legislative session reached rainbow's end. A significant amount of the licensing and tax revenues will now be directed toward reinvestment in areas most affected by the "war on drugs." The law also favors the assignment of cannabis retail operation licenses to social equity applicants — those people and communities who were most disadvantaged by previous marijuana laws.

Municipalities can profit directly by pocketing an additional 3 percent sales tax, but these revenues also need to be mostly reinvested in social programs, by law. Some towns have already declared they are taking a hard pass. Prospect and Newtown have approved resolutions banning cannabis establishments.

The majority (52.4 percent) of responders said they would have preferred the lion's share of new revenues be directed elsewhere. The money "should be used to lower tax burden on residents," as one reader commented — a very common sentiment — as was "schools and roads," and "senior citizen issues."

Most readers responded with just one- or two-word answers. Other expressed ironies that were not so pithily contained:

"Educate our young population about the downfalls from smoking marijuana and how revenue drove the decision to legalize it."

"Maintain a fund to handle all the grief that will result from state supported hedonism."

"Since the cost of auto insurance is going to increase a great deal due to the increase in accidents caused by stoned out drivers I think it should go toward lowering auto associated costs like the gas tax, registration fees and property tax on vehicles."

"Anything except virtue signaling"

Connecticut's sweeping recreational marijuana legislation will also re-write the past for those whose legal records have been dinged by marijuana laws of the past. Criminal convictions for less than four ounces of cannabis will be purged automatically from residents' records beginning in 2023. One year before that, people may petition to for the erasure of other cannabis convictions, such as for possession of marijuana paraphernalia or the sale of small amounts of cannabis. Survey responders favored these forgiveness provisions by 68.7 to 31.3 percent.

The new law also alters the way law enforcement will handle marijuana use and marijuana users. Police may no longer stop a car solely on the basis of smelling cannabis. Patch readers who took the survey supported the provision by 58.1 to 41.9 percent.

The most overwhelmingly positive aspect of the new law, based upon Patch readers' responses to the survey, is its curtailment of available spaces to smoke and vape. The legislation treats tobacco, e-cigarette and marijuana smoking all the same when it comes to setting aside areas where residents can indulge. The net result is far fewer places across the state where smokers of anything can light up. The provision, which makes it illegal to puff near a doorway, working window, or air intake vent of most businesses, as well as in college dorms and on the campuses of schools and public buildings, goes into effect Oct. 1. Over three-quarters of those who responded to the survey (76.3 percent) thought that was a fine idea.