Recreational Marijuana Is Legal In CT. Now What? Take The Survey

CONNECTICUT — On July 1, the recreational use of marijuana by adults in Connecticut will be legal. Based upon our last survey on the topic, around two-thirds of Patch readers should be happy with that. There are, however, some nuances to the law that may make even the most devoted cannabis fan exhale real slowly...

The results of the first Patch Connecticut survey on the topic aligned with what Gallup pollsters learned about the marijuana mood nationally in November. They found 68 percent of Americans supported legalizing cannabis, a record high for their polls on the issue. A survey conducted by the Pew Research Center a year earlier showed pretty much the same results.

There's no question that marijuana legalization has gained tremendous momentum. At the beginning of 2020, only 11 states allowed the herb for recreational purposes. A year and a half later, Connecticut became the 19th to sign on the movement. Lawmakers in Washington have taken notice. Senate Majority Leader Chuck Schumer said he has made cannabis legalization on the national level a priority.

But Senate Bill 1201 had a lot more baked into it than just the legalization of weed. The new law has extraordinary social equity components, which Gov. Ned Lamont said could serve as a blueprint for other states' initiatives.

Cannabis trade publication MJBizDaily projects that the Connecticut market could reach $725 million in annual sales by the end of 2025, and rake in more than $600 million in tax revenue. But most of that new cash won't be used to fix the roads or improve the schools. It will be earmarked instead for communities who were hurt the most by the prohibition of marijuana, and half of the state's adult-use licenses will be reserved for social equity applicants.

Beginning Jan. 1, 2023, all convictions from Jan. 1, 2000, through Sept. 15, 2015, for possession of fewer than 4 ounces or marijuana will be purged automatically from the state's law enforcement databases. The new law also prevents police from using the smell of cannabis as the sole reason for stopping and searching a vehicle, although smoking marijuana while driving will still be against the law.

The new law also lumps tobacco and vape use in with marijuana for purposes of determining "no smoking" zones. The result will be that tobacco smokers will find there will be far fewer places in the state where they can light up, as of Oct. 1.

Patch wants to know how you feel about all this. Take our survey below to let us know.